MANKATO, Minn. – Winona State football dropped a 47-21 contest at #14 Minnesota State to fall to 3-4 overall and 3-3 in the NSIC.
The Warriors trailed 23-0 before putting points on the board and a pair of early second half turnovers allowed the Mavericks to take a 40-point advantage to end any comeback hopes for WSU in the second half.
How it Happened:
The Mavericks received the opening kickoff and ensued on an 80-play scoring drive over the course of 3:14. Winona State fumbled on their first possession of the game and MSU capitalized, crossing the goal line just five plays later. After a WSU three-and-out, Minnesota State went 60 yards over 6:29 to take a 20-0 lead just a minute into the second quarter.
Another WSU fumble on their first possession led to a Maverick field goal in the second quarter. Winona State put a tally on the board after the Warriors embarked on a 6-play, 75-yard drive which included four
Jackson Flottmeyer completions including a 15-yard connections with
Cole Lipper who scored the touchdown. The
Evan Swanstrom extra point was good to bring the score to 23-7 in favor of MSU.
The Mavericks added another score late in the second quarter before forcing a WSU punt. With 0:22 left in the half,
Delshawn Petrosky intercepted a pass from Mitchell Thompson deep in Warrior territory to halt the Minnesota State drive as the teams headed into the locker room with a score of 30-7.
On the very first play of the second half, Minnesota State garnered a 32-yard scoop and score. On the next possession, the Mavericks picked off Flottmeyer for a pick-six as MSU extended their lead to 44-7 without running an offensive play in the second half. A third straight turnover gave the Mavericks the ball in WSU's side of the field and MSU scored their last points of the day on a 29-yard field goal.
The Warriors answered with an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a
Jahmani Muhammad 11-yard touchdown run for the Muhammad's first career TD. After trading punts, the Warrior defense held strong as
Ethan Doucette picked up a sack on fourth down to give the Warriors the ball near midfield. A few plays later, Flottmeyer connected with
Nolan Ginskey for a 32-yard touchdown. Minnesota State was able to run out the clock on their next possession and hang on for a 47-21 victory.
Statistical Comparison:
- Winona State tallied 320 total yards compared to MSU's 408.
- The Warriors ran for 142 yards on the ground and threw for another 178 yards.
- The Mavericks dominated the ground game, rushing for 239 yards while throwing for 169.
- Minnesota State controlled time of possession with 35:43 compared to WSU's 24:17.
- WSU turned the ball over five times while forcing just one turnover.
- Flottmeyer was 16-25 with 178 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions
- Anthony Powell led the Warriors on the ground with 72 yards on eight attempts.
- Muhammad led WSU with 15 carries and totaled 67 yards with a TD.
- Ginskey grabbed six receptions for 68 yards and a score.
- Jake Schultz and Joe Sikma corralled three receptions each.
- Mitchell Thompson led the Mavericks under center with 169 yards passing and a pair of TDs on 10-18 throwing.
- Carter Henderson had 20 carries for 136 yards. Sam Backer gained 71 yards with two scores for Minnesota State.
- Grant Guyett caught three passes for 127 yards for MSU.
- Jacob Anderson tallied 10 total tackles with six solo stops.
- Ethan Doucette grabbed nine tackles, including a sack and another 0.5 TFL.
Winona State will have a mid-season bye week next weekend before hosting Concordia-St. Paul for homecoming on October 25 at 2:00pm.
