MARSHALL, Minn. — The Winona State football team closed its 2026 season in historic fashion, earning a 42-14 road victory over Southwest Minnesota State in the program's 1,000th game on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors finished the season 5-6 overall and 5-5 in NSIC play, while the Mustangs closed at 1-10 overall and 0-10 in conference action.
Jacob Sampson led the Warriors' offense with five touchdown passes for the second consecutive week, completing 12 of 15 attempts for 256 yards without an interception.
Nolan Ginskey paced the receiving corps with five catches for 148 yards and three touchdowns, while
Jake Schultz added five receptions for 92 yards and two scores.
Ja'dale Thompson led the ground game with 14 carries for 91 yards. Defensively,
Lincoln Snitker and
Kane Donnelly each recorded nine tackles.
Caleb Jannsen added eight tackles, including six solo stops, two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception he returned 63 yards.
Winona State wasted little time taking control, opening the game with an eight-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Sampson to Ginskey. The Warriors struck again on their next possession, needing just one play to cover 57 yards as Sampson found Ginskey for another touchdown and a 14-0 lead. Sampson connected with Schultz later in the first quarter for a third touchdown pass, pushing the advantage to 21-0.
The Warriors continued to build their lead midway through the second quarter when Sampson found Ginskey in the end zone for the third time, extending the margin to 28-0 with 6:11 remaining in the half. Winona State's special teams added to the historic performance before halftime as
Ethan Doucette blocked a Mustangs punt and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. The Warriors carried a commanding 35-0 lead into the locker room.
Winona State added its final touchdown on its opening scoring drive of the second half. Sampson capped an eight-play, 56-yard possession with a touchdown pass to Schultz, his fifth of the afternoon, to make it 42-0. Southwest Minnesota State answered late in the third quarter when Macloud Crowton connected with Sam Campbell for a touchdown. Campbell added another score in the fourth quarter, but the Warriors maintained control to secure the 42-14 victory.
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE
- Winona State defeated Southwest Minnesota State 42-14 in the Battle for the Sledge.
- Jacob Sampson completed 12 of 15 passes for 256 yards and five touchdowns.
- Ja'dale Thompson led the ground game with 14 carries for 91 yards.
- Nolan Ginskey caught five passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns.
- Jake Schultz added five receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
- Ethan Doucette blocked a punt and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.
- Lincoln Snitker and Kane Donnelly each recorded nine tackles.
- Caleb Jannsen finished with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and an interception returned 63 yards.
- Winona State outgained Southwest Minnesota State 369-314.
- The Mustangs held a 22-15 advantage in first downs.
- Winona State committed no turnovers, while Southwest Minnesota State threw one interception.
- The Warriors recorded four sacks for a loss of 35 yards.
- Southwest Minnesota State controlled time of possession, 36:02-23:58.
NEWS & NOTES
- Winona State finished the season 5-6 overall and 5-5 in NSIC play.
- Southwest Minnesota State finished 1-10 overall and 0-10 in conference action.
- Winona State leads the all-time series 35-20.
- Sampson earned Winona State's game MVP honors.
- Sampson threw five touchdown passes for the second consecutive week, tying for the second-most in a single game in program history.
- Sampson's 80% completion rate ranks tied for eighth in program history.
- Ginskey's three touchdown receptions rank tied for fifth in program history and mark the most by a Warrior in a game since 2008.
- Winona State earned a victory in the 1,000th game in program history.
Stay connected with Winona State University Athletics throughout the season by following the Warriors on social media at @WinonaStateATH (X and Instagram), @winonastatewarriors (YouTube) and Winona State Warrior Athletics (Facebook), or visit winonastatewarriors.com.
