WAYNE, Neb. --- The Winona State football team fell just short on the road Saturday afternoon, dropping the contest 17-14 against Wayne State.
Winona State fell to 2-4 overall and 2-3 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play, while the Wildcats improved to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play.
Jacob Sampson led the Warriors through the air, completing 21 of 36 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown. He also led Winona State on the ground for the second consecutive week, rushing six times for 26 yards.
AJ Moore added a rushing touchdown, while
Jahmani Muhammad caught a touchdown pass for the Warriors.
Kane Donnelly led the Winona State defense with 12 tackles and forced one fumble.
Blake Schraufnagel added eight tackles, while
Patrick Curtin recorded seven tackles.
Wayne State outgained Winona State 326-310, while the Warriors held a 206-165 advantage through the air. WSU committed the game's only turnover, while Wayne State controlled the time of possession 33:12-26:48.
The Wildcats struck first after putting together a seven-play, 43-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown pass with 6:27 remaining in the first quarter. Wayne State's defense kept the Warriors off the scoreboard through the opening quarter before the Wildcats extended their lead to 10-0 on a 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
Winona State answered with a six-play drive that ended with Moore's one-yard touchdown run with 5:37 remaining before halftime. The Warriors then forced Wayne State to punt on the ensuing possession before Sampson connected with Muhammad on a 32-yard touchdown pass to cap a three-play drive and give WSU its first lead of the afternoon at 14-10 with 2:53 remaining in the half.
Wayne State regained the lead early in the third quarter after a 15-play, 75-yard drive ended with a one-yard touchdown run. The drive lasted 6:51 and gave the Wildcats a 17-14 advantage.
The Warriors continued to battle in the fourth quarter, reaching Wayne State territory on three separate drives. Winona State's final opportunity came with 34 seconds remaining when
Evan Swanstrom attempted a 46-yard field goal to tie the game, but the kick missed left of the post as Wayne State held on for the 17-14 victory.
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE
- Winona State fell to Wayne State 17-14
- WSC outgained WSU 326-310
- Winona State had the only turnover of the game
- WSC went 4-of-5 on fourth down's, while WSU went 1-of-3
- Sampson went 21-of-36 from the field with one touchdown, while also leading the team in rushing with six carries for 26 yards
- Jake Shultz led the team in receiving with eight catches for 85 yards
- Muhammad caught the only receiving touchdown of the game for the Warriors, while Moore scored the only rushing touchdown for WSU
- Donnelly led the team in tackles with 12, including a forced fumble
- Schraufnagel had eight tackles, while Curtin had seven tackles
NEWS & NOTES
- Winona State fell to 2-4 with the loss (2-3 NSIC)
- Wayne State improved to 5-1 with the win (4-1 NSIC)
- WSU still leads the all-time series 23-6
UP NEXT
Winona State will return home for its homecoming game against No. 5 Minnesota State on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m.
Stay connected with Winona State University Athletics all season long by following the Warriors on social media at @WinonaStateATH (X/Instagram), @winonastatewarriors (YouTube) and Winona State Warrior Athletics (Facebook). Catch full schedules, scores and stories at winonastatewarriors.com.
