Erin Cochran/Winonan

The Winona State Warriors defeated the Upper Iowa Peacocks 45-42 in Fayette, Iowa on Saturday to open up the NSIC South Division play.

The Warriors came out early with a 14-0 lead.

In the first, Josh Mikes had a 57-yard touchdown run.

Tyler Speer ran a 40-yard touchdown play and Chichi Ojika also put up points: a 110-yard scoring run in the second.

At the end of the third the Peacocks pulled within three after coming out strong form the half.

Early in the fourth, Upper Iowa came out on top with a four-point lead, 35-31.

Rayon Simmons scored on a 20-yard run and Jared Mitchell intercepted a Peacock pass to return for a 52-yard run, reclaiming a Warrior advantage.

At just 5:42 remaining on the clock, Upper Iowa scored to bring the score to 45-42.

After a forced punt, the Warriors defense fought hard and stopped the Peacocks on fourth down with just a minute remaining, solidifying a Winona State victory.

“They were playing inspired football and we just didn’t play as well as we could,” said Warriors head coach, Tom Sawyer. “Right now we’re standing at 4-1 and ending with a win is all that really matters.”

The last time the Warriors met up with the Peacocks, they won 72-31 with an explosive offense. Simmons rushed for 181 yards on just 12 carries.

“We were mad at what happened at their place last year so there’s no doubt we came out strong and ready to play,” said Cole Jaeschke, a Peacocks team member. “There isn’t a doubt that we came out more fired up for this game than any other we’ve had this season. In the end, we knew it would come down to who had the ball last and we just didn’t hold off long enough.”

John Teigland passed for 349 yards, the ninth-most single-game passing yards in Warrior history.

He also completed 22-of-37 passes in the contest, giving him his second 300-yard game of the season.

“We just needed to get tough and let the offense do what they do best and get the ball to Rayon,” said Teigland. “We know what plays to make and their effort was pushing those plays.”

“We have been playing against adversity all season,” said Simmons. “I know when my team needs me, even if I’m tired, I knew that we had to win that game even though I was tired.”

Ryan Williams recovered a fumble along with Mitchell’s interception for a pair of Winona State’s forced Upper Iowa turnovers.

Darby Lundy had a total of 11 tackles, leading the team and Williams added nine and a sack.

Simmons rushed for 191 yards with two touchdowns giving him 4,000 yards, the first in Warrior history.

He now has 4,184 rushing yards in his career. He is also just two touchdowns away from breaking the Winona State record.

In NSIC play, he is just 284 yards away from becoming the NSIC all-time leading rusher. He’s currently at 3,931 yards.

Winona State will spend their final seven games up against the NSIC South. Minnesota State Mankato and Sioux Falls are two of the three teams unbeaten in the conference. Winona State is now 4-1.

The Warriors will return to Verizon Wireless Stadium this weekend to host NSIC newcomer Sioux Falls. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.

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].