WINONA, Minn. – Winona State kept its perfect record at home this season in a 21-14 victory over Wayne State College.
The Warriors scored 14 of their 21 points off of interceptions by
Lincoln Snitker and
Caleb Jannsen to lead them to a crucial NSIC win.
How it Happened:
Both teams traded punts on their respective opening drives. The Wildcats moved the ball into the Warriors redzone on their second drive before
Blake Schraufnagel recorded a TFL on third & goal at the WSU ten-yard line. Wayne State then missed the ensuing 27-yard field goal to keep the game knotted at 0-0.
WSU defense locked up the Wildcat defense to start off the second quarter. Wayne State's next trip on offense saw Snitker record his first interception of the season, to give the Warriors a short field starting at the Wildcat 41-yard line. On fourth & five,
Jackson Flottmeyer scrambled his way to a 36-yard rushing touchdown to put WSU up 7-0 with 9:50 left in the first half. WSU recorded another interception on the following Wildcat possession, this time by Jannsen. Winona State's defenses flipped its second short field for its offense giving way to a 25-yard receiving yard touchdown from Flottmeyer to
Joe Sikma a few plays later extended the Warrior lead to 14-0 with 7:13 left in the half. The Warrior's defense was swarming the rest of the half, capped off by a
Taiden Thomas sack to end the half 14-0 Winona State.
Wayne State was threatening on its opening offensive possession, but a second missed field goal kept the game at 14-0 with 11:02 left in the third quarter. After a punt by the Warriors
James Durst, the Wildcats put together a ten-play, 54-yard drive, finished off by a Dawson Forgy two-yard rushing touchdown to tighten the Warriors lead to 14-7 with 5:03 left in the third quarter. Both teams punted on their following possession in the third quarter.
Flottmeyer led the offense down the field with an 11-play, 63-yard drive capped off by a huge third & one receiving touchdown from Flottmeyer to Durst to start off the fourth quarter with 11:21 left in the contest. The Warriors
Conner Haggerty recorded another Warrior sack to force the Wildcats to punt yet again on their following drive. Down 14 points, Wayne State methodically marched down the field on a 12-play, 80-yard drive that concluded with Forgy's second rushing touchdown on the afternoon with 2:34 to play. The Wildcats forced a three & out to give them the ball back with 2:05 left on their own 41-yard line. A split-sack by
Ethan Doucette and
John Klinger put the Wildcats at fourth & 17, which they were unable to convert to end the game 21-14 Warriors.
Statistical Comparison:
- Winona State tallied 178 total yards with 132 passing and 46 rushing yards.
- Wayne State outgained the Warriors by a wide margin, with 381 yards with 145 through the air and 236 yards on the ground.
- The Wildcats led in time of possession 34:35-25:25.
- The Warriors dominated the turnover battle forcing three picks, which ultimately decided the game in the Warriors favor.
- Flottmeyer started at quarterback for WSU and went 15-of-30 with 132 yards through air with two TD passes and one on the ground. Flottmeyer and the Warrior offense was turnover free for the second week in a row.
- Flottmeyer led the Warrior ground game behind his 36-yard rushing touchdown.
- Freshman Nolan Ginskey kept his hot streak going with six receptions for 50 yards.
- Joe Sikma hauled in two passes for 43 yards and a score with Durst recording two catches including a touchdown.
- Griffin Wiegel had career high 15 tackles in the victory with Doucette Schraufnagel each recording at least ten tackles.
- Delshawn Petrosky, Jannsen, and Snitker each had an interception in the victory.
- Haggerty led the squad with three of the teams ten TFLs to help stifle the Wayne State offense.
- For the Wildcats, Brady McGill was 19-of-32 for 145 yards and three costly picks.
- Forgy dominated the Wayne State ground game with 29 carries for 188 yard and two scores.
- Dane Petersen and Colton Andrews each recorded five catches apiece for the Wildcats.
- Jes Krcil had six tackles in the afternoon with Carter Sitzman having 1.5 sacks in the afternoon for the Wildcats.
Winona State will have another tough test next weekend traveling to #15 Minnesota State University, Mankato on October 11th at 1:00pm.
