WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University football team looks to bounce back from a narrow 34-26 loss at #9 Augustana University a week ago, as they host Wayne State College on Saturday, October 4th at 1:00pm.
The NSIC matchup will feature Wayne State who routed Southwest Minnesota State 51-6 last week. The Warriors look to get back in the winning column after last week's loss. Winona State lost last year's matchup 28-21 against the Wildcats at home.
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 11:00am at the intersection of Johnson and Mark streets on the campus of WSU. Kickoff for the home opener will be at 1:00pm 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 (2-3, 2-2 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 21-5 all-time against Wayne State.
- Quarterback Jackson Flottmeyer will look to continue his recent success after throwing eight touchdowns in his last three games. Including, going 26-of-45 for 347 yards and three TD passes last week.
- Anthony Powell will try to spark the Warriors running game. Powell has 71 attempts for 333 yards and five rushing touchdowns on the 2025 campaign.
- The Warriors freshman WR Nolan Ginskey has been having a great three week stretch going for 17 catches for 269 yards and three scores during the timeframe. Ginskey had a whopping nine catches for 128 yards in last week's loss.
- The defense will turn to Blake Schraufnagel to stop the Wildcats offense that comes in averaging 29.6 points. Schraufnagel comes in leading the Warriors with 34 tackles on the year.
- David Nies, Conner Haggerty, and Ethan Doucette each have at least three TFLs and two sacks for the defensive unit this season.
- Jahmani Muhammad will look to revamp the Warriors special team's unit. Muhammad is fifth in the NSIC with an average kick return of 25.7 yards.
- Evan Swanstrom was a perfect 2-for-2 last week on his field goal attempts.
- Following this week's game, the Warriors will hit the road and face another tough test in #15 Minnesota State University, Mankato. Gametime is set for 1:00pm on October 11th in Mankato, Minn.
Wayne State Notes:
- The Wildcats (3-2, 3-1 NSIC) enter the 2025 season and voted to finish sixth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- Wayne State enters the weekend after a blowout 51-6 win over SMSU in last week's contest.
- The Wildcats are seventh in the NSIC in offense, averaging 29.6 points per game and third in defense, allowing 16.8 points per game.
- WSC is led by quarterback Bennett Dannenbring who is 60-of-109 with seven TD passes and five picks.
- Wayne State's NSIC fourth best rushing offense is spearheaded by Dawson Forgy. Forgy has 95 attempts for 539 yards and five rushing touchdowns on the 2025 campaign.
- Tight end Dane Peterson has five receiving touchdowns on the year.
- Defensively, WSC has the best rushing defense in the NSIC allowing a league-low 72.2 rushing yards a game.
- Linebacker Jes Krcil is set to lead the Wildcats defense; Krcil has a team best nine TFLs and 3.5 sacks in 2025.
- Clyde Hinton, Kaden Sutton, and Alex Kowalczyk each have at least 5.5 TFLs and two sacks for the Vikings.
- WSC has an NSIC league-leading 23 sacks, 11 interceptions, and seven forced fumbles for the 2025 season.
- Following this weekend, the Wildcats return home to face Bemidji State on October 11th. Gametime is set for 1:00pm in Wayne, Neb.
