Game Details
TCO Stadium at Vikings Lake in Eagan, Minn.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT
Betting Trends
Winona State is 6–4 in season openers over the last ten years.
The Warriors are 0–9 all-time against UMD since 2010 (10–36 overall) and haven’t beaten the Bulldogs in 15 years.
Key Storylines
Minnesota Duluth finished 7–4 overall and 6–4 in NSIC play in 2024, returning a veteran core across all three phases.
Winona State went 5–6 last fall (5–5 NSIC) and welcomes first-year head coach Brian Curtin, a WSU graduate and assistant since 1997.
Playing on neutral ground at a Vikings facility adds intrigue to this nonconference showdown and provides a rare Twin Cities spotlight for both programs.
Players to Watch
Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
Senior QB Max Hanson: Returns after throwing for 2,100 yards and 18 TDs in 2024 and anchoring the Bulldogs’ offense.
RB Tommy Russell: Led UMD with 900 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, providing a physical complement to the passing game.
WR Sam Peterson: Top receiving threat with 70 catches for 920 yards and big-play upside.
Winona State Warriors
Jackson Flottmeyer, QB: Enters his second year as starter after combining for six total TDs, 469 passing yards, and 241 rushing yards in 2024.
Conner Haggerty, DL: Defensive anchor led WSU with 52 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 7 tackles-for-loss last season.
Receiving Corps: Warriors return four of their top five pass catchers, giving Curtin reliable targets in the new offense.
Tactical Breakdown
Offense
Minnesota Duluth runs a balanced, pro-style attack under center, mixing inside power runs with play-action to open vertical routes. Winona State will employ a multiple front-side scheme, blending zone reads from the shotgun with quick-hitting play-action to stress UMD’s linebackers.
Defense
The Bulldogs open in a 4-2-5 nickel package, prioritizing speed in the secondary to limit big plays in space. The Warriors favor a 3-4 front on early downs, using stunts and gap exchanges to generate pressure up front and disrupt timing.
X-Factors
Turnover Margin: In a neutral-site opener, an early takeaway could swing field position and momentum.
Special Teams: First game at TCO Stadium—punt coverage and the kickoff return game will set the tone in a tight environment.
Third-Down Defense: Which unit can get off the field quickly will control time of possession in a likely close contest.
Game Odds
Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs – 4.5
Winona State Warriors 52.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, August 27, 2025
