The Warriors football team beat the University of Mary on Saturday 32-23 in Bismarck and Rayon Simmons became Winona State’s all-time leading rusher.

Simmons, a senior from University City, Mo. ran for 176 yards and scored four touchdowns for the Warriors.

Entering the game Simmons only needed 47 yards to reach the quarter and he did so within the first two plays of the game.

Simmons passed Kevin Curtin, who held the record from the 2010 Warriors season.

The senior’s total is now at 3,394 rushing yards.

The four touchdowns recorded today give him a total of 49 in his collegiate career, four behind the record held by Chris Samp and Dave Ludy at 53.

Simmons is also ninth in the school’s career total offense charts.

“This accomplishment feels great!” said Simmons. “ It’s good to know that sometimes hard work does pay off. I owe everything I have accomplished to God first off. I would also like to thank the O line I have had the four years I have had here at Winona State and the coaches. Everyone that has helped me mentally, spiritually, and physically over the years and believed in a kid they said was not good enough to start in college. Without these intangibles we would not be having this conversation and the record wouldn’t even be dreamed of.”

Simmons’ talent was recognized for the second consecutive season; Simmons was selected as the NSIC South Division’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He also earned All-Conference and All- Region honors.

Simmons was also named All-American by the Beyond College Sports Network, along with offensive lineman Richard Lilla.

“This is only the beginning!” said Simmons. “My eyes are set on much more! Post season and a conference championship.”

When asked about a possible future in the NFL, Simmons was optimistic. “Yes that is a dream of mine! We shall see what chips I am dealt. I am going to get my degree first and then go from there.”

In the matchup against the Marauders, Simmons and Jake Vercher were the only Warriors to put up points.

Mary scored off a 10-play touchdown drive and a 27-yard pass to get on the board, but a 14 and 10 yard run into the end zone. A pair of Vercher field goals put Winona State 19-14 at half.

The Marauders pulled within two after the half with an opening field goal.

The Warriors responded with two back-to-back Simmons touchdowns in the fourth to push the Warrior advantage 32 to 17.

The Marauders have the conference’s top passing offense averaging 322 yards per game and this game was no different as their quarterback passed for 319 yards and three touchdowns, not allowing a complete shutout.

John Teigland completed 22 of 27 passes, finishing the game with 232 yards.

Sean Hertz added five receptions and Tyler Speer led the Warriors catches on the field with seven.

After throwing 375 yards versus Minnesota Duluth, Teigland’s yardage total was the fifth-most of all Warrior quarterbacks.

He also put his name in the record books, along with Simmons, as he became the first Winona State quarterback to throw 300 yards since the Warriors faced Upper Iowa in 2010.

The Winona State defensive line forced three turnovers. Ryan Singler recovered a fumble, by a Anthony Resnick turnover.

Parker Detjens recovered the third turnover of the game by a Tyler Kubler tackle.

Chris Norgaard intercepted in the second, leading to Vercher’s first field goal and added 11 tackles for the game.

Ryan Gerts, Morgan Weaver and Ryan Williams all tied with eight stops of the day.

Overall, the Warrior defense broke up four of Mary’s quarterback’s passes and sacked the player three times.

Winona State’s defense are ranked 22nd nationally in pass defense. They allow just 150 yards per game through the air.

Winona State continues their timeontheroadwitha1pm kickoff at Upper Iowa.

To get more inside scoop with head coach Tom Sawyer himself, join him every Thursday during the season at the Riverport Hotel at noon.

To get more information about Winona State football visit www.winonastatewarriors. com.

Contact Erin at [email protected]