Season Opener Preview
The Winona State University football team will kick off its 2026 campaign on August 27 at 6:00 p.m. when it travels to St. Paul, Minnesota, to meet NCAA Division I opponent St. Thomas. The game represents the second-ever meeting between the two programs, the first of which ended in a 21-14 victory for the Tommies back in 1981.
Winona State arrives with momentum from a 6-5 overall record in 2025, a season that featured a balanced attack averaging 326.5 yards per game. The Warriors' offense was anchored by quarterback Jackson Flottmeyer, who threw for 2,055 yards and 19 touchdowns, and running back Jahmani Muhammad, who contributed 608 rushing yards and four scores on 105 carries.
Key returning weapons include sophomore wide receiver Nolan Ginskey, who ranked second on the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns last year, and senior linebacker Blake Schraufnagel, who earned NSIC South Division All-Conference Second Team honors. Defensive standout David Nies also returns after posting 48 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2025.
St. Thomas, fresh off a 7-5 finish in 2025, is entering its second season of NCAA Division I eligibility after completing a historic reclassification from Division III. Under head coach Glenn Caruso, the Tommies boast a 15-2 record in season openers, including a 3-2 mark in the Division I era. The team will be led by new quarterbacks Anthony Policare and Ryan Jackson, who step into starting roles following the graduation of Andy Peters.
The matchup will also serve as a stepping stone toward a highly anticipated road test against No. 10 North Dakota later in the schedule. Both coaches see the game as an opportunity to fine‑tune strategies, evaluate depth and build early confidence as the season unfolds.
Storylines to Watch
Fans will be eager to see how the Warriors' revamped receiving corps performs alongside Flottmeyer's arm, while the Tommies' defensive front, anchored by returning tacklers, will look to pressure the new quarterback duo. The game also marks a milestone for St. Thomas, which becomes the first institution ever to transition from Division III to Division I and remain eligible for the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
With both squads poised to compete in the Pioneer Football League and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference respectively, the August 27 contest promises a compelling early‑season narrative that could set the tone for the remainder of the year.