WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State football team will prepare to play Southwest Minnesota State University at home in the season finale this Saturday, November 15th. Gametime is set for 12:00pm at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Saturday's match-up is a 'trophy game' as WSU and SMSU meet for the ninth annual 'Battle for the Sledge' presented by Game One and Adidas.
The NSIC matchup will feature the Mustangs who fell to Concordia-St. Paul 19-14 last week. The Warriors were victors in a 36-29 come from behind win over the University of Mary last week.
WSU is excited to announce all ticketing will be fully digital this year. All fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online before arriving at the venue.
Cash will not be accepted at the gate for tickets. Please note, Chartwells concession stands in the stadium are cash only.
Winona State invites all fans to participate in the Warrior Game Day Experience, beginning at 10:00am at the intersection of Johnson and Mark streets on the campus of WSU. Kickoff for the contest will be at 12:00pm in Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
The Warriors will continue the football luncheon this year at the Riverport Inn & Suites at 12pm every Thursday throughout the football season.
Winona State Notes:
- The Warriors (5-5, 5-4 NSIC) enter the 2025 season voted to finish ninth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- Brian Curtin is in his first year as head coach of the Warriors.
- WSU finished 3-3 at home last season and 3-2 in 2023.
- Winona State is 33-20 all time against SMSU, including winning the last seven matchups with the Mustangs.
- Quarterback Jackson Flottmeyer is set to lead the offense in the season finale. Flottmeyer is 166-of-289 for 1,852 yards and 21 total touchdowns on the 2025 campaign.
- Jahmani Muhammad has had a stellar end of his rookie season. Muhammad has run for 363 yards in the last three weeks with two touchdowns.
- Receivers Nolan Ginskey and Joe Sikma are set to usher the receiving attack. Ginskey leads the squad with 465 receiving yards on 36 catches. Sikma has a team-leading 43 receptions for 454 yards. Both wideouts have four touchdowns apiece on the 2025 season.
- The defense will turn to Conner Haggerty to limit the UMary offensive attack that comes in averaging 14.5 points a game. Haggerty is leading the NSIC with 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
- Blake Schraufnagel is a major component to the Warriors defensive unit. Schraufnagel leads the team with 69 tackles on the year.
- As a team, the Warriors have 66 TFLs and 30 sacks on the 2025 campaign.
- Evan Swanstrom is 4-for-5 on field goals this season.
- Winona State is undefeated at home this season and when giving up less than 20 points a game.
SMSU Notes:
- The Mustangs (1-9, 1-8 NSIC) enter the 2025 season voted to finish 13th in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- SMSU enters the weekend after a 19-14 loss at Concordia-St. Paul in last week's contest.
- Southwest Minnesota State is 13th in the NSIC in points per game (13.5) and 14th in points allowed per game (42.6).
- Macloud Crowton leads the quarterback room with 2,167 yards with 10 touchdown passes and 18 picks on the 2025 season.
- On the ground, the Mustangs Jacob Honstetter is teams leading running back. Honstetter has amassed 230 yards on 57 carries this season with three rushing TDs.
- Colin Maher is the receiver to watch this Saturday. Maher has hauled in 42 passes for 697 yards and four scores on the campaign.
- Defensively, Josiah Hedensten is the leading tackler for SMSU with 97 tackles including 6.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.
