The Wayne State College Wildcat football team will look to get back in the win column as they travel to Winona, Minnesota, to take on the Winona State Warriors.
The Wildcats hung tough last week at home against the No. 11 Mavericks of Minnesota State-Mankato, but came up short as a last-minute Maverick touchdown helped Mankato win 35-28. With the loss, WSC dropped to 2-1 on the season. The Wildcats generated only 281 yards of total offense, with 128 yards on the ground and 153 through the air. They allowed the Mavericks to pass for 252 yards and gave up 334 on the ground as well. The Wildcats will look to regain their offensive composure after getting over 400 yards of total offense in the first two games of the season.
The last meeting between WSC and WSU was in 2022, as the Warriors hosted the Wildcats in week five, with both teams coming in at 4-0. The Warriors took care of the Wildcats by a score of 38-14, which in turn gave Winona State a 3-1 edge in the all-time series. The Warriors outgained the Wildcats in total offense, 358-319. Winona State’s rushing attack proved to be the Wildcat’s Achilles heel, as the Warriors ran for three touchdowns and 219 yards, primarily off the legs of Ty Gavin, who amassed 167 yards and two touchdowns himself. The Wildcats also saw special teams mistakes cost them in the previous meeting.
Winona State is coming off a win after defeating Concordia-St. Paul in dominating fashion, 31-14. In that game, Warrior quarterback Cole Stenstrom completed 21 out 27 pass attempts for 257 yards. The Warriors found success in the run game as well, with Ty Gavin and Cair’ron Hendred combining for four rushing touchdowns. In the season opener, the Warriors lost to Saginaw Valley State 14-38 while still passing for over 300 yards and rushing for 103 more.
The Wildcats will look to improve to three wins on the season, and a win at Winona State would put WSC at 2-1 in conference play. Currently, according to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Wildcats sit seventh in the conference. A win on the road would give WSC plenty of momentum heading into the bye week.
Kickoff for the game against Winona State is set for 1 p.m. at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winona, Minnesota, on Saturday, Sept. 21.