The Winona State University Warriors fall to 2-1 after losing 33-34 at Upper Iowa University on Saturday, Sept. 15.

The game had a back and forth second-half, that was high scoring, included two lead changes and eventually came down to the last possession and a late interception.

The No. 11 ranked Warriors were coming into the game off a close victory in their home opener against ranked opponent Sioux Falls.

Winona State trailed 3-7 against Upper Iowa after the first quarter. Early in the second quarter the team began to establish momentum, as senior tight end Greg Rooney caught an over-the-shoulder pass from sophomore quarterback Owen Burke for a 23-yard touchdown, allowing the Warriors to take the lead.

After another touchdown by Upper Iowa, Winona State went into the half trailing 14-9.

In the third quarter, Winona State offense came out scoring 18 points including two touchdowns and a two-point conversion by senior wide receiver Isaiah Frandsen. Defensively, they held Upper Iowa to zero points in the quarter as they headed in to the fourth with a 13-point lead.

The Peacocks would fight back though, outscoring the Warriors 20-6 in the final quarter, which included a late touchdown to take the lead with 1:07 remaining.

Winona State started their final drive of the game deep in their own territory, but got a much needed play after a 41-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jake Balliu to gain a critical first down. However, in the last seconds Burke was picked off, thus ending the comeback attempt and handing Upper Iowa their first win of the season.

Winona State struggled in the red zone, only scoring twice in four trips the Peacocks scored on all five of their opportunities.

Defensively, the Warriors had a sack and forced two turnovers, an interception by Romario Gayle and a fumble forced by Isaiah Hall.

However, they gave up a fumble on their own 13-yard line which lead to an Upper Iowa touchdown.

After throwing for 203 yards, two touchdowns and two interception last week, Burke showed some improvement throwing for 282 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception during Saturday’s game.

Sophomore running back Sam Santiago-Lloyd carried the majority of the load rushing and had a highlight run that extended Winona State’s lead in the fourth quarter after breaking off a 23-yard touchdown run. He finished with 18 attempts for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Frandsen led the team in receiving with 102 yards on four catches and scored his first touchdown of the season on a 59-yard grab in the third quarter.

After moving up in recent weeks, this loss will push the Warriors down in the rankings.

Winona State looks to get back on track next Saturday as they head back home to take on conference rival Minnesota State University-Mankato in a crucial game Saturday, Sept. 22. Kickoff will be at 1p.m.