Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

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Warriors Open Season 58-6 Against Minnesota-Crookston at Home

by Lindsay Miller
Action happens on the gridiron during the Warriors’ first game of the season.
Lindsay Miller/Winonan

by Erin Cochran

The Winona State Warrior football team came on stronger than ever this past Thursday night at the home opener against the Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles, finishing 58-6.

The Warriors first touchdown came on their first offensive play of the season and the scoring didn’t stop there.

“That first touchdown was a great play, set beautifully in the pocket,” said John Tiegland, Warrior quarterback. “Rayon was set up perfectly.”

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“Rayon in the back field is a dream come true, “ said Winona State Head Coach, Tom Sawyer.

After a year of having to sit on the sidelines due to an injury, Tiegland feels optimistic about the season ahead.

“I feel healthier now than ever,” said Tiegland. “It’s been a long year of rehab. It felt great to get back out there and take a hit because I’m confident I can get back up.”

Within the first quarter, Winona State scored 27 points and would keep the lead ending 44-6 at half.

The Golden Eagles lone touchdown came in the first quarter off an interception.

“After that first touchdown, I thought we were going to get our feet back under us but it just never happened,” said Minnesota-Crookston Head Coach Paul Miller.

The Warriors responded to the Golden Eagle touchdown with three touchdowns of their own during a four minute, 31-second span in the first quarter.

“I’m glad the Eagles scored that touchdown because it gave our defense something to be aware of and something to work on which they did,” said Sawyer. “Right from the huddle the guys came out eager to play and that’s exactly what they did.”

In the second quarter, Winona State put up 17 more points. Simmons scored the quarter’s first touchdown on an eight-yard run.

Bryan Bradshaw responded with a 57-yard touchdown pass to Alan May, freshman wide receiver.

Redshirt freshman kicker, Jake Vercher impressed with a 43-yard field goal at the end of the second quarter, in his college football debut.

Simmons scored his second rushing touchdown in the third and with a four-yard rush put up in his third.

The final Warrior touchdown came in the fourth on a nine- yard pass to freshman redshirt wide receiver, Josh Mikes.

Chichi Ojika scored for the Warriors with a 30-yard run.

“Chichi is very versatile,” said Sawyer. “He’s starting to learn how to not just be a straight sprinter. He’s really becoming a great running back and Rayon is a great compliment to him.”

Sawyer was also pleased with the defensive line’s performance.

“Crookston has the number one rusher in the league (Richard Haley) and we held them back,” said Sawyer. “We kept him back and focused on the run line.”

Linebackers Gage Ridenour and Morgan Weaver both intercepted passes and on D line, Robert Ndondo-Lay and Collin McGuire each reported sacks.

Ridenhour led the line with sacks, while Colin Corcoran recorded seven tackles and Ryan Singler had eight.

Altogether, the Winona State quarterbacks completed 13 total passes to nine Warrior receivers.

Simmons recorded a total of 135 yards. He is now at a career total of 3,553 rushing yards. He is in the running to take the Winona State career rushing record on the charts.

Tiegland and Bradshaw combined a completed 13-of- 21 passes for four touchdowns and 241 yards.

Overall, the Warriors put up a total of 468 yards for the night. “This is a very talented team,” said Miller. “Their guys executed well, placed the football and their players where they needed to be and are great overall. We knew they would be a tough team to go against.”

“It’s been a long week for our guys with school starting and the intense camps and practices to prepare for the season,” said Sawyer. “ But they debuted well and deserve a day off to rest and prepare for Duluth.”

The Warriors will now travel to Minnesota Duluth to take on the Bulldogs on Sept. 8 with kickoff at 6 p.m.

Contact Erin at [email protected]

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