The fourth home game of the season for the Winona State University football team meant another excellent Warrior Game Day Experience before their battle against Minnesota State University – Mankato on Nov. 4.
Mental health was the designated theme for this Game Day Experience, and those who participated were encouraged to break the stigma on mental stealth with free treats, Warrior merchandise and fun games for students and community members.
Occurring just an hour before the game begins, the excitement is palpable upon heading into the Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
“The energy is pretty high since the players do the Warrior walk right before,” a member of the student senate and a table attendant at the Game Day Experience said. “That energy carries into the crowd as people head into the game.”
Once the game began, it was a quick start for the Mavericks who managed a touchdown after just two minutes into the game and another not long after, pushing Minnesota State into a 14-0 lead early on.
However, the Warriors delivered their responding blow as Quentin Pringle, a graduate student from Bolingbrook, Ill. Added an impressive touchdown of his own from 75-yards out, finally putting Winona State onto the scoreboard.
Unfortunately, the Warriors could not maintain this energy as the Mavericks would earn themselves two more touchdowns in the second quarter. Heading into the locker room, the score sat at 28-7 in favor of the opposing team.
At the half, the dance team would provide excellent entertainment for the massive crowd, efficiently raising the liveliness as well as the hopes for an excellent second half for Winona State.
Back on the field, Ty Gavin started the Warriors out strong with a quick touchdown just four minutes into the quarter, followed up by a matched play by Minnesota State.
Pringle would obtain another Warrior touchdown just a few moments later that would once again be followed by an excellent Maverick play to move the score to a whopping 42-21, Minnesota State maintaining their lead.
The fourth quarter picked up quickly with plays that nearly turned the tide of the game.
“I expected a tough game walking into the stadium knowing MSUs winning streak,” a first year in the Warrior student section said. “However, we were shocked at how close the score ended up at the end of the game.”
Sylvere Campbell and Cole Stenstrom would begin the Warriors comeback with a touchdown after a 46-yard pass which would be matched shortly after by Minnesota State, keeping up with the typical back and forth fashion of the game so far.
Campbell and Stenstrom came together again for another excellent score, and shortly after, Stenstrom would supply the final Warrior touchdown of the game, bringing the score within just one touchdown of a tie.
They managed to hold the Mavericks in place throughout the rest of the fourth quarter but could not obtain the points needed to turn the game in their favor, ending the game at 49-42.
The team will finish their season on home ground against Minot State University on Saturday, Nov. 11. Where the Warriors will hopefully maintain their 5-0 winning streak.
