WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University football team prepares to open its season on the road when it travels to St. Paul, Minn., to play the University of St. Thomas on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.
The nonconference matchup with the NCAA Division I Tommies will be just the second-ever meeting between the two teams. UST defeated WSU 21-14 on Sept. 12, 1981. Winona State is coming off a 6-5 year, including a 6-4 NSIC mark, while St. Thomas went 7-5 a year ago with a 5-3 record in the Pioneer League.
Winona State notes
- Captain quarterback Jackson Flottmeyer, selected as a player to watch this season, looks to have a hot start to the season after throwing for 2,055 yards and 19 TDs in 2025.
- Running back Jahmani Muhammad led the Warriors on the ground with 105 attempts for 608 yards (5.8 YPC) and four TDs last season.
- Sophomore wide receiver Nolan Ginskey returns to a talented receiving corps after a freshman season with 38 receptions for 505 yards and four TDs. Ginskey finished second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns last year for the Warriors.
- 2025 leading tackler linebacker Blake Schraufnagel looks to build off a strong season after leading the defensive side of the ball with 74 tackles and seven TFLs. Schraufnagel earned NSIC South Division All-Conference Second Team Defense honors last season.
- This will be the second season under the leadership of head coach Brian Curtin. Curtin has been a part of the Winona State football staff since 1997.
- Senior David Nies was selected as the defensive player to watch this season for the Warriors. In 2025, Nies posted 48 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, four sacks and two FR.
- Winona State closed the 2025 regular season with victories in three of its final four games, including a 30-6 win over Southwest Minnesota State in the regular-season finale. The Warriors finished 6-5 overall and 6-4 in conference play.
- The Warriors totaled 3,592 yards of offense, averaging 326.5 yards per game. The Warriors produced 1,504 rushing yards and 2,088 passing yards, accounting for 36 total touchdowns.
- After this week's game, the Warriors travel to Aberdeen, S.D., to face Northern State on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.
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St. Thomas notes
- St. Thomas is once again poised for a top-three finish in Pioneer Football League play. The Tommies were picked to finish third in the conference in the preseason coaches poll. St. Thomas finished its 2025 season with a 7-5 record.
- This will be the Tommies' second season of NCAA playoff eligibility. St. Thomas completed its reclassification from Division III to Division I in June 2025, becoming the first institution to make the leap in NCAA history.
- This will be the second time St. Thomas has opened the season by playing a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference team in the last three seasons. The last time it occurred was on Aug. 29, 2024.
- Under head coach Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas is 15-2 all-time in season openers, including a 3-2 mark in the Division I era.
- Anthony Policare and Ryan Jackson are the frontrunners in the Tommies' quarterback room after Andy Peters graduated following the 2025 season.
- St. Thomas will face No. 10 North Dakota on the road following its clash with Winona State.
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