WINONA, Minn. – Winona State finished off the 2025 season going 6-5 (6-4 NSIC) on the year after a dominant 30-6 win against Southwest Minnesota State University.
WSU scored 30 unanswered points in the contest while the Warriors defense held SMSU scoreless for the last 46:10 of the game.
How it Happened:
After a muffed punt by the Warriors, SMSU gained possession at the Winona State 28-yard line. A fourth-and-19 pass was completed by the Mustangs Jake Anderson for a first down but was coughed up and recovered by
Ethan Doucette. After back-to-back punts by the Warriors
Ben Burgess, including a career-high 69-yard punt, SMSU drove down the field on a 12-play 80-yard drive that ended in a Drew Klender 14-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Honstetter to put Southwest Minnesota State up 6-0 with 1:50 left in the first quarter.
WSU responded quicky after a 52-yard flea flicker pass from
Jackson Flottmeyer to
Joe Sikma put the Warriors at the SMSU four-yard line. A play later,
Jahmani Muhammad found the end zone for a four-yard scamper to tie the game at 6-6 with 14:07 left in the first half.
John Berry recorded a huge fourth-and-six sack to stop the Mustangs' ensuing drive at the Warriors' 29-yard line. The Winona State offense kept their groove going after a 20-yard run by Muhammad set up a Flottmeyer to Sikma 38-yard bomb to put the Warriors up 13-6 with 9:42 left in the first half.
Delshawn Petrosky broke up a third-and-one pass from Kluender to force another Mustangs punt. Winona State's offense rode the hot hand with Muhammad rumbling for a 39-yard run putting the Warriors at the SMSU nine-yard line. On third-and-goal, Flottmeyer punched it in the endzone for a seven-yard rush, making it 20-6 with 2:25 remaining. A
Taiden Thomas and
Conner Haggerty split-sack stalled the Mustangs final drive of the half.
The Mustangs Sam Shepersky recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff. Later in the SMSU drive, the Mustangs were stopped on a fourth-and-three after a
Caleb Jannsen tackle for loss in the redzone. After forcing another punt, the Warriors were set up at the SMSU three-yard line after a botched punt attempt by the Mustangs. On fourth-and-one, Flottmeyer found
James Durst for a one-yard touchdown to extend the Warriors lead to 27-6. Winona State's defense was tough on the SMSU offense all afternoon forcing another three-and-out.
Evan Swanstrom connected on a 34-yard field goal to make it 30-6 Warriors with 12:03 remaining in the contest. On the first play of the ensuing SMSU drive,
Aidan Boehle sacked Kluender and forced a fumble that was recovered by
Cody Silzer. The Mustangs tried to gain some momentum after a Flottmeyer pass was picked off by SaMaury Alexander. Later in the SMSU drive, A Kluender fumble was recovered by Haggerty to end any chance of a Mustang comeback.
Statistical Comparison:
- Winona State tallied 402 total yards with 206 passing and 196 rushing yards.
- Southwest Minnesota State gathered 246 yards on 224 passing and 22 rushing yards
- The Warriors led in time of possession 34:19 to 25:41.
- Flottmeyer started at quarterback for WSU and went 16-of-23 with 203 yards through air with two TD passes and one picks. He added a rushing touchdown on the ground.
- The Warriors 'Battle for the Sledge' game MVP Muhammad finished off a dominant end to his 2025 season with 23 carries for 142 yards and rushing score.
- Sikma paced the Warriors receiving core with four receptions for 118 yards and one TD.
- Durst hauled in a team-high six passes for 34 yards and a TD.
- Enrique DeLeon led the team with six tackles in the victory.
- Doucette, Haggerty, and Silzer all recorded fumbles with Boehle and Griffin Weigel forcing one in the game.
- For the Mustangs, Kluender was 20-of-49 for 224 yards and one touchdown through the air.
- Jacob Honstetter led the Mustangs on the ground with 14 attempts for 53 yards.
- Tryg Auten led the team with 88 yards on six catches while Honstetter hauled in the SMSU lone touchdown.
- Josiah Hedensten earned the SMSU game MVP with 20 tackles (seven solo) in the loss.
- Alexander picked off a pass for the Mustangs to go along with his five tackles.
Winona State ended the 2025 season going 5-0 at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
