Winona State University traveled to Sioux Falls, S.D. for the second time this season. Fresh off their victory against Concordia St. Paul, the Warriors looked to secure their first road victory of the season against the University of Sioux Falls. A chilly afternoon at Bob Young Field set the stage for a South Division showdown for position in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
The opening bells struck in the Warriors’ favor in the first quarter. The offense methodically pushed the ball down the field, highlighted by quarterback Jackson Flottmeyer completing five consecutive throws on the 11-play drive. His final throw of the drive came from a play-action throw to freshman running back Isaiah Beale for his first collegiate touchdown. After forcing the Cougars to punt on their first possession of the game, running back Jahmani Muhammad generated the longest play of the season for the Warriors on a 67-yard run to push towards scoring territory. Wide receiver Jim Curtain completed the movement with a 16-yard touchdown reception in the corner of the endzone. With a 14-0 deficit, Cougar quarterback Tate Schafer connected with Christian Janis for 44-yard bomb to respond. Morgan McKnight blocked the extra point to keep the Warriors ahead 14-6 against Sioux Falls.
Muhammad discussed his ascent in the running game over the season.
“Taking advantage of every opportunity and making sure that when those opportunities present themselves that I give it 100%.”
The next interval started with a positive sign from Winona State’s defense. Second year defensive end Taiden Thomas sacked Schafer on third and seven at the Warrior 23-yard line. This loss helped stop the Cougars in their tracks. Both offenses stagnated until six minutes left in the half. After a 39-yard strike to Cougar receiver Hank Brown Jr on a flea flicker, Schafer connected with tight end Noah Robertson on another trick play for a 16-yard touchdown. Bubba Tann III plunged into the endzone for the two-point conversion to knot it up at 14-14. Flottmeyer threw an interception to Cougar safety, Cade Morse in Warrior territory, Schafer recorded his third touchdown of the half to Robertson to grab the lead. With 51 seconds left in the half, the Warriors offense gained some momentum, reaching the Sioux Falls 15-yard line for freshman kicker Evan Swanstrom to connect on 32-yard field goal to close out the half. Winona State trailed the Cougars 17-21.
Swanstrom mentioned how important his mental preparation to set up the Warriors with momentum to end the half.
“I focused on staying calm and keeping my mind quiet. I visualized the kick and reminded myself that I’ve made the same kick hundreds of times in practice”
A snowball effect took place in the second half for Winona State. Shafer connected on another deep pass on the first play, on a 43-yard gain to Isaiah Emanuel. Running back Christian Nash punched it into the endzone to extend Sioux Falls’ lead to 11. After a second Flottmeyer interception, Jordan Smith hit pay dirt for another score for the Cougars. A quick Warriors three-and-out gave Tann III the chance to cash in on a 21-yard touchdown run to end the third quarter. The Cougars extended their lead against Winona State 42-17.
The Warriors needed something to go their way to start the final 15 minutes, and they looked to respond. Colton Geurink punched in the first score of the second half on a 2-yard touchdown. Sioux Falls countered on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that drained eight minutes of the fourth quarter. Shafer scored his fourth touchdown of the day to close out the Warriors. Winona State dropped their contest against Cougars 49-24.
The Warriors enter the penultimate week of their season with a 4-5 overall record and a 4-4 conference record. They travel to University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. for their final road game of the season on November 8. They continue to battle for standings before the season concludes.
