Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State drops to 4-5 (4-4 NSIC) on the year after a 49-24 loss at the University of Sioux Falls.

The Warriors got out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Cougars responded with 21 unanswered points. Winona State was unable to retake the lead in the second half, as Sioux Falls outscored the Warriors 28-7 in the final 30 minutes.
 
How it Happened:

The Warriors received the opening kickoff and went 11-plays for 79 yards capped off by an Isaiah Beale two-yard receiving touchdown from Jackson Flottmeyer to get the scoring started. After a USF punt, Winona State's Jahmani Muhammad had a momentous 67-yard run down to the Cougars 25-yard line. Two plays later, Flottmeyer found Jim Curtin for a 25-yard receiving touchdown to extend the Warriors lead to 14-0 with 4:11 left in the first quarter. Sioux Falls quickly responded with a 44-yard receiving touchdown by Christian Janis. Morgan McKnight blocked the ensuing extra point attempt to make it 14-6 after the first quarter.

An eight-yard sack by Taiden Thomas forced the Cougars into a 4th and long, that was later unsuccessful. Later in the quarter, USF tied it up after a 16-yard Tate Schrafer touchdown pass to Noah Robertson. The Cougars were successful on their two-point conversion to knot the game at 14-14. After a Flottmeyer interception, the Schrafer and Robertson connection struck again, this time with a two-yard touchdown to put USF up 21-14 with 0:51 seconds left in the half. Winona State marched down the field and was able to tighten the Sioux Falls lead after a 32-yard field goal from Evan Swanstrom to end the half at 21-17 Sioux Falls.

The third quarter was all Sioux Falls as they rode their momentum into a Christan Nash two-yard rushing touchdown. After a second Flottmeyer interception, Jordan Smith ran for a seven-yard score to make it 35-17. Following a Warriors punt, the Cougars went 86 yards in eight plays capped off by the third rushing touchdown in the quarter by three separate Cougars, this time via a Bubba Tann III 21-yard scamper to extend the USF lead to 49-17 with 15 minutes left.

Winona State got back in the scoring column after a two-yard plunge by fullback Colton Geurink to lessen the Cougar lead to 42-24 with 14:06 left in the contest. Another methodical drive by the Cougars ended in a Schafer one-yard rushing touchdown to grow the USF lead to the game's final 49-24.
 
 Statistical Comparison:

• Winona State tallied 371 total yards with 184 passing and 187 rushing yards.
• Sioux Falls gathered a whopping 506 yards on 391 passing and 115 rushing yards.
• The Cougars led in time of possession 35:46 to 24:14.
• Flottmeyer started at quarterback for WSU and went 17-of-26 with 173 yards through air with two TD passes and two picks.
• Muhammad kept his hot streak going on the ground with 127 yards on 13 attempts good for 9.8 yards a carry.
• Joe Sikma hauled in six passes for 69 yards with Curtin catching two passes for 41 yards and a score.
• Blake Schraufnagel led the team with seven tackles while Thomas recorded the teams only sack on the afternoon.
• For the Cougars, Tate Schafer was 20-of-25 for 391 yards, and three touchdown passes. He added one touchdown on the ground.
• A trio of Sioux Falls running backs recorded a touchdown with Tann III leading the charge with 82 yards on 18 attempts.
• Hank Brown Jr. caught eight passes for 136 yards with Robertson having two receiving touchdowns in the win.

 Winona State will play its last road game of the year next weekend, traveling to the University of Mary on November 8th at 12:00pm.