By: Madie Brink
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls Football team (5–3, 4–3 NSIC) returns to Bob Young Field this Saturday to host Winona State (4–4, 4–3 NSIC) in a key NSIC matchup. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. as the Cougars look to extend their winning streak to three games after defeating Southwest Minnesota State and Minot State in consecutive weeks. With both programs sitting in the middle of a crowded conference standings race, Saturday's meeting carries major implications as USF seeks its sixth win of the year and continued momentum entering November.
INSIDE THE SERIES
SERIES HISTORY: Sioux Falls and Winona State meet for the 12th time overall, with the Warriors leading the all-time series 7–4 dating back to 2012. Winona captured the last meeting between the programs in 2023, earning a 42–35 victory at Bob Young Field in a back-and-forth offensive shootout.
THE LAST TIME: The last meeting between Sioux Falls and Winona State took place on October 21, 2023, when the Cougars came up just short in a 42–35 battle at Bob Young Field. The game was an offensive showcase from start to finish, featuring seven combined touchdowns and more than 900 yards of total offense. USF quarterback
Camden Dean accounted for five total touchdowns and nearly 400 yards of offense. The Cougars led 20–7 in the second quarter before the Warriors rallied with three consecutive touchdown drives to seize control.
Despite the setback, the Cougars showed impressive balance offensively — rushing for over 200 yards while throwing for more than 250 — and controlled time of possession for much of the afternoon. A late USF touchdown tied the game with just over a minute remaining, but a strong Warrior offense went 75 yards in 41 seconds for a 4 yards rushing score to take the game 42-35.
THE COUGAR FILE
PREGAME TIDBITS: The Cougars enter Week 9 having found their rhythm on both sides of the ball, averaging 30.1 points and 447.4 yards per game while limiting opponents to 25.5 points and 342.4 yards. USF ranks among the NSIC's top-three teams in total offense and rushing defense and has maintained possession for a league-leading 34:19 per game. Redshirt freshman
Tate Schafer has continued to step up for the Cougar Offense, throwing for 632 yards and six touchdowns in four games played.
USF's balanced ground game features
Bubba Tann III (685 yards, 6 TDs),
Christian Nash (240 yards, 2 TDs), and
Jordan Smith (178 yards, TD), who have combined to power one of the NSIC's most consistent rushing attacks at 193.5 yards per game.
Through the air,
Hank Brown Jr. continues to lead the receiving corps and ranks among the NSIC's top receivers with 61 receptions for 707 yards, while
Adonis Hutchinson (431 yards, 5 TDs) and
Isaiah Emanuel (344 yards, 4 TDs) add dynamic scoring options.
Christian Janis and
Dahlton Wood have combined for six touchdown receptions as the Cougar offense averages 8.7 yards per passing attempt.
Defensively, the Cougars have relied on collective depth and opportunistic play.
Garret Hoffman paces the team with 36 tackles and two interceptions, while linebackers
Owen McCloud and
London Kolb, and defensive linemen
Mouhamed Diawara,
Preston Yohnke and
Dawson Raabe have anchored a front seven responsible for 11 sacks and 30 tackles for loss this fall. In the secondary,
Beau Gibling,
Mauloa Wells and
Isaac Rudningen all own interceptions and multiple pass breakups, helping USF hold opponents to 58 percent passing.
Special teams have been a difference-maker, highlighted by
Adonis Hutchinson's 100-yard kickoff-return touchdown and kicker
JT Frieders' consistency on PATs (28-of-29).
Overall, USF has developed into one of the NSIC's most balanced and disciplined programs — converting 49 percent of third downs, committing just 33 penalties in eight games, and forcing nine turnovers. The Cougars enter the weekend looking to maintain their strong late-season push and continue climbing the NSIC standings.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
PREGAME TIDBITS: Winona State enters the weekend at 4–4 overall and 4–3 in NSIC play, coming off a 24–14 win over Concordia-St. Paul. Offensively, Winona is averaging 22.0 points and 303.0 yards per game, led by quarterback Jackson Flottmeyer, who has thrown for 1,449 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 132 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. The rushing attack features Anthony Powell (405 yards, 5 TDs) and Jahmani Muhammad (244 yards, TD), while receivers Nolan Ginskey (445 yards, 4 TDs) and Joe Sikma (365 yards, 4 TDs) provide consistent production through the air.
Defensively, the Warriors are led by linebackers Blake Schraufnagel (55 tackles) and Ethan Doucette (50 tackles, 4.5 sacks), with defensive lineman Conner Haggerty ranking among the NSIC leaders with 6.5 sacks and 7.0 tackles for loss. Winona's defense allows 28.9 points and 375 yards per game but ranks among the league's best in red-zone stops and third-down defense (34 percent). Kicker Evan Swanstrom has converted 3-of-4 field goals and 11-of-11 PATs, while return man Jahmani Muhammad has 302 kick-return yards and an 85-yard long.
WINONA STATE HEAD COACH BRIAN CURTIN: Brian Curtin was appointed as the head coach of Winona State Football ahead of the 2025 season after more than two decades on the Warrior sideline. A 1999 Winona State graduate, Curtin has served in multiple roles since joining the staff in 1997, including a long tenure as defensive coordinator and, most recently, wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator. Over his 20-plus years with the program, Curtin has helped lead the Warriors to eight NSIC Championships, three NSIC South Division titles, and seven NCAA Division II Playoff appearances, along with three Mineral Water Bowl berths. His experience and deep ties to the program have made him a key architect of Winona's sustained success at the conference and national levels.
Renowned for building tough, disciplined, and opportunistic defenses, Curtin has coached numerous All-Americans and award winners, including five consecutive NSIC Defensive Players of the Year (2002–06) and 2018 honoree Andrew Spencer, who was also named Don Hansen Super Region 5 Defensive Player of the Year. His defensive units have regularly ranked among the league's best in turnover margin, scoring defense, and total defense, contributing to six seasons of 10-plus wins and a 35-game home conference winning streak between 1999 and 2008. A former Warrior player himself, Curtin was a member of Winona State's 1993 and 1994 NSIC Championship teams before earning both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the university.
PRE-GAME EVENTS & REMINDERS
Friday, October 31st
- Join us for Coopers Corner at Gibs Sports Bar & Grill for a chance to talk with head football coach Jim Glogowski and head volleyball coach Dan Mathews ahead of this weekends events!
- The USF Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will host a costume contest during Friday nights volleyball match against Bemidji State at 6pm.
Saturday, November 1st
- USF SAAC will host a Trunk-or-Treat event starting at 12pm in the main lot!
- The ticket office will open at 11:30am - Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets ahead of time at USFCougars.com/Tickets.
- Gates will open at 11:30am - Outside food and beverages are prohibited at Bob Young Field and there will be no re-entry upon leaving the stadium.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
