WINONA, Minn. --- Winona State stunned No. 20 Augustana in overtime 42-41, earning its first ranked victory since 2022 at Altra Federal Credit Union Statdium on Saturday night.
The Warriors improved to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in NSIC play with the win, while the Vikings fell to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
Jacob Sampson commanded the Warriors' offense, completing 28 of 44 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Sampson also led the team on the ground with eight carries for 94 yards and a touchdown, while
AJ Moore added 18 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver
Jake Schultz caught a career-high 10 passes for 115 yards, while
Austin Johnston and
Nolan Ginskey each caught touchdown passes for WSU.
Defensively,
Ethan Doucette led the Warriors with nine tackles, including nine solo stops.
Blake Schraufnagel recorded seven tackles, including three tackles for loss and one sack.
Kevin Lewis and
Austin Johnston each recorded an interception for the Warriors.
Augustana got on the board first, capping a six-play drive with a 26-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter. The Warriors answered on their opening offensive drive, scoring just a minute later when Sampson connected with Johnston for a 50-yard touchdown pass to give WSU a 6-3 lead.
Winona State extended its advantage with 6:05 remaining in the first quarter when Moore finished a six-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Warriors a 13-3 lead. Augustana trimmed the deficit on its following possession when Gunnar Hensley connected with DJ Page on a 29-yard touchdown pass, making it 13-10 heading into the second quarter.
The Warriors struck first in the second quarter when Sampson connected with Ginskey for a touchdown with 11:58 remaining in the half, extending WSU's lead to 20-10. Augustana continued to fight back, with Hensley connecting with Sattler for his second touchdown pass of the evening to cut the deficit to 20-17.
Mathias Yaggie added a 26-yard field goal just before halftime, sending the Warriors into the locker room with a 23-17 lead.
Augustana came out of the locker room strong to begin the second half, driving 69 yards on seven plays to take its first lead of the night at 24-23. The Vikings extended their lead to eight with 5:05 remaining in the third quarter when Hensley connected with Sattler for the third time.
The Warriors continued to battle back as Sampson capped a seven-play drive with a 44-yard touchdown run to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. Augustana regained the lead on a 23-yard field goal with 3:26 remaining in the game, making it 34-31.
Winona State answered with a 23-yard field goal of its own with 47 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime.
The Vikings struck first in overtime when Max Carlson broke free for a 16-yard touchdown run to give Augustana a 41-34 lead. With the game hanging in the balance, the Warriors scored on fourth down from the 1-yard line to pull within one. Winona State then elected to go for two, with Sampson connecting with
James Durst to secure the 42-41 victory.
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE
- Winona State defeated No. 20 Augustana 42-41 in overtime
- The Warriors finished with 519 yards of total offense compared with 510 for the Vikings
- Each team recorded 27 first downs
- WSU outgained AU on the ground 237-105
- The Warriors controlled time of possession 34:47-25:13
- Sampson led the passing attack, going 28-of-44 for 282 yards and two touchdowns
- Sampson also led the Warriors on the ground with eight carries for 94 yards and one touchdown
- Schultz had a career high 10 receptions for 115 yards
- Johnson and Grinskey each caught at touchdown pass
- Doucette led WSU with nine tackles
- Schraufnagel and Foster each recorded an interception
NEWS & NOTES
- Winona State improved to 2-3 with the win (2-2 NSIC)
- Augustana dropped to 3-2 with the loss (2-2 NSIC)
- WSU earned its first ranked win since defeating No. 11 Sioux Falls on Oct. 22, 2022
- The Warriors have now won seven straight home games, dating back to 2025
- Augustana still leads the all-time series 12-8
- The win marked the Warriors first against the Vikings since 2022
UP NEXT
The Warriors will travel to Wayne, Neb. on Saturday Oct. 3rd for a matchup with the Wildcats. Kickoff is set for 1 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.
