The Road to Game 1,000: Today's Warriors and Game 1,000, 2022-2026

The previous installment ended with Game No. 944 and the conclusion of Tom Sawyer's 25-season tenure as head coach. Since then, Winona State football has continued to build on its history, producing conference championships, postseason appearances and memorable individual performances. On Saturday, the Warriors will reach another historic milestone when they take the field for Game No. 1,000 in program history.

BERGSTROM BEGINS A NEW ERA

Brian Bergstrom took over as head coach in 2022 and immediately led the Warriors back to the top of the NSIC South Division. Winona State finished 8-4 overall and 5-1 in division play, earning a share of the NSIC South championship.

The Warriors picked up two signature victories that season, defeating No. 11 Sioux Falls 20-17 and No. 21 Augustana 24-7 at home. Special teams also delivered memorable performances, as Darryl Williams returned a punt 79 yards against Wayne State and kicker Jacob Scott connected on four field goals against Moorhead State, matching the program's single-game record. Carter Duxbury earned the Glen Galligan Award.

Winona State qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the seventh time in program history, traveling to Bemidji State on Nov. 19. The Warriors' season ended with a 31-7 loss in 12-degree temperatures, but linebacker Clay Schueffner delivered a historic defensive performance with 19 tackles and an interception. His tackle total remains the most by a Warrior in a postseason game.

BUILDING THROUGH 2023 AND 2024

The Warriors finished 5-6 in each of the next two seasons as Bergstrom continued to build the program. One highlight came on Nov. 9, 2024, when Winona State traveled to Southwest Minnesota State and earned a 37-15 victory in Game No. 977.

Schueffner continued to establish himself as one of the program's top defensive players, earning the Glen Galligan Award in 2023. Bergstrom concluded his three-season tenure with an 18-16 overall record.

CURTIN TAKES THE HELM

Brian Curtin became the next head coach in 2025, leading Winona State to a 6-5 record in his first season.

Quarterback Jackson Flottmeyer guided the offense with 2,055 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. He delivered one of his best performances at Augustana, throwing for 347 yards, a total that ranks among the top 20 single-game passing performances in program history.

Running back Jahmani Muhammad also provided an explosive presence. He recorded 169 kickoff return yards against Minot State and rushed for 141 yards against Concordia-St. Paul and 142 yards against Southwest Minnesota State.

The Warriors closed the 2025 campaign with consecutive victories, rallying from a 19-point deficit to defeat UMary 36-29 before returning home to beat Southwest Minnesota State 30-6 on Nov. 15.

2026: THE FINAL STEPS TO 1,000

The 2026 season opened with Game No. 990 on Aug. 27, as Winona State traveled to NCAA Division I St. Thomas and suffered a 15-9 setback.

A few weeks later, the Warriors reached another milestone in Game No. 992, meeting Jamestown for the first time in program history. Winona State controlled the contest, earning a 28-0 victory on Sept. 12.

Game No. 994 provided one of the season's biggest highlights. The Warriors hosted No. 20 Augustana and came away with a thrilling 42-41 overtime victory, securing their first win over a nationally ranked opponent since 2022.

Winona State entered its Nov. 7 home finale with a 3-6 record before delivering a dominant performance in Game No. 999. The Warriors defeated UMary 55-7 to reach four victories on the season and set the stage for the program's historic 1,000th game.

A HISTORIC SERIES FOR GAME 1,000

Southwest Minnesota State will serve as the opponent for the milestone contest. The Warriors first faced the Mustangs in 1970 and have met 54 times, with Winona State holding a 34-20 advantage in the series.

The Warriors have won eight consecutive meetings dating back to 2016, outscoring Southwest Minnesota State 302-115 during that stretch. The two programs also met in Winona State's 500th game, making Saturday's matchup another milestone meeting between the longtime NSIC rivals.

The series has produced several memorable individual performances, including one of the best passing games in Warrior history. In a 51-44 double-overtime loss at Southwest Minnesota State in 2013, quarterback Jack Nelson threw for 425 yards, the second-highest single-game total in program history. Nelson also completed 40 passes, a school record that still stands.

A THOUSAND GAMES OF WARRIOR FOOTBALL

Winona State's journey began in 1895 with an 8-0 loss to UM-Medical School. More than 130 years later, the Warriors are preparing to take the field for the 1,000th time.

Across those games, Winona State has captured 18 conference championships and made 12 postseason appearances, including the 1993 NAIA playoffs, four Mineral Water Bowls and seven NCAA Division II playoff appearances.

From the early teams of the late 1800s to the record-setting squads of the Sawyer era and today's Warriors, each generation has contributed to the history of Winona State football.

Saturday's matchup with Southwest Minnesota State will add another chapter to that story.

GAME NO. 1,000: Winona State at Southwest Minnesota State | Saturday, Nov. 14 | Noon | Marshall, Minn.