The Winona State University football team had their season debut Thursday, Aug. 31. For senior quarterback Darren Beenken, it was his first collegiate start. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound quarterback threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns on 24-for-35 passing as the Winona State Warriors started off their season with a 30-20 win, knocking off No. 25 Bemidji State University Beavers.

Beenken’s performance was helped by a dominant defensive performance by the Warriors.

“The defense leads our attitude and leads our tempo,” Head Coach Tom Sawyer said. “I think we have great leadership on both sides. But as many new parts as we have on offense, we’re really relying on that defense to bring us the energy that we need.”

Bemidji State averaged 45.6 points and more than 230 rushing yards in 2016. Winona State held them to just one offensive touchdown all game.

Beenkan opened the scoring with a 19-yard pass to sophomore Jake Balliu.

Before halftime, Beenken gave sophomore Aitor Flood for a 10-yard touchdown pass. The Warriors had a dominant first half, going into the locker room up 20-6.

Beenken hit a rough patch in the third quarter, when he had an interception returned for a touchdown. On the Warriors’ next drive, he threw another interception and took a big hit.

This was the only time the Warrior offensive line let the Beavers’ defense touch Beenkan.

“There were nothing but uplifting comments from the guys on the sidelines,” Beenken said. “They always have my back. They always are trying to lift me up.”

The Warrior defense forced a Beaver three-and-out after the interception, and Beenken and the offense got back to work.

Junior running back Eric Birth found the end zone for the second time this game at the end of the third quarter to give Winona State a 27-13 lead.

Bemidji did not go away, and wasted little time responding with a six-play, 67-yard drive to cut the lead to just a touchdown as the teams went into the fourth quarter.

Both defenses held strong going into the fourth quarter. Senior Andrew Spencer led the Warriors defensively with 11 tackles and a late fourth-quarter interception to secure the victory by a score of 30-20.

“Adrenaline was through the roof,” Beenken said. “The excitement was flowing. It’s hard to put into words, because I’ve waited such a long time for this. It was nothing short of magical. It was really special.”

Beenkan spent four years on the bench watching Jack Nelson break just about every Winona State passing record. Thursday was finally his turn, and the fifth year senior seized the opportunity.

The Warrior offensive line played a big part in Beenkan’s performance by not allowing a single Beaver sack on the night.

“We all had our doubts about Darren but he really showed us he is ready to lead our team,” senior offensive tackle Joel Miller said. “…and to get the win against Bemidji, you could not ask for a better start to our season.”

Winona State will next play against St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.