Complete Release (PDF)

The 2008 Season: The Southwest Minnesota State University football team finished the 2008 season with an overall record of 6-5.  In the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, SMSU finished in a tie for sixth place in the 14-team league with a conference record of 6-4 and tied for fourth place in the seven-team NSIC?South Division with a 3-3 record.

The Head Coach: Southwest Minnesota State University head coach Eric Eidsness completed his fifth season at SMSU in 2008 and has compiled an overall record of 21-34, including 15-26 in conference games. 
     Before being named head coach at SMSU, Eidsness was offensive coordinator at South Dakota State University for five seasons (1999-2003).  He also served as assistant head coach during his last season in 2003.  Prior to SDSU, Eidsness was offensive coordinator at Ferris State (Mich.) (1998), and was an offensive assistant at both South Dakota State (1996-97) and Morningside (Iowa)?(1994-95).

Radio Broadcasts: All SMSU football games during the 2008 season were broadcast on KARL?105.1 FM with Aaron Ziemer handling the play-by-play for the sixth straight season.
     
Eidsness Second on Coaching List:?SMSU head coach Eric Eidsness ranks second all-time on SMSU career wins list with 21 victories.  Gary Buer is the program's all-time leader with 70 wins in 14 years (1979-92).
 
2008 Mustangs Seniors:?SMSU had 13 seniors on the final 2008 roster.  The senior players included:?Tom Brown, Tim Cariveau, Matt Fischer, Tom Kolb, Michael Liggins, Jim Nelson, Tyler Reed, Tony Rislov, Korey Roethler, Josh Shudlick, Scott Talcott, Brad Wolf and Ryan Wudtke.

2008 Mustang Letterwinners:?The SMSU football team had 64?letterwinners on the final 2008 roster (players must appear in one game).

SENIORS (13): Tom Brown, Tim Cariveau, Matt Fischer, Tom Kolb, Michael Liggins, Jim Nelson, Tyler Reed, Tony Rislov, Korey Roethler, Josh Shudlick, Scott Talcott, Brad Wolf, Ryan Wudtke

JUNIORS (21): Levi Bullerman, Matt Carmody, Aaron Diggs, Anthony Farmer, Bryce Haessly, Michael Hagny, Josh Henry, Lionel Lamarre, Bill Noethlich, Mike Scott, Fadalis Taifane, Shaye Thomas, Derek Townsend, Logan Van Dyke, Ryan Vette, Jordan Wager, Kevin Wagner, Nic Wagner, Tony Weiler, Blake Wilson, Zach Wysong

SOPHOMORES (18): Tyler Bair, Bret Ballantine, Dan Brannen, Brian Bular, Ryan Burke, Chris Christianson, Jason Fernholz, Chad Gardner, Johnney Garza, Curt Gosser, Nate Holleman, Zach Kasper, Shane LaDage, Alex Mayorov, Michell Moya, Paul Muecke, Sean Patrick O'Leary, Robbie Slinkman

REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (10): Tony Awoleye, Caleb Dufrane, Randy Erickson, Nate Finkey, Eric Hendrickx, John Kersbergen, Derek Klinkner, Levi Reiff, Brian Rodas, Bud Sanken

FRESHMAN (2): Wade McDonough, Rudy Murrell

letterwinners who didn't finish on the roster:?Nate Hacker

A Winning Season:?Southwest Minnesota State finished the season 6-5, recording the program's eighth winning season in school history and the first since the 1999 season.  Here is a look at the previous winning seasons at SMSU: 1981 (6-4), 1985 (6-4), 1987 (7-4-1), 1990 (8-3), 1991 (9-1), 1992 (6-3-1)?and 1999 (6-5).

2008 Team Award Winners:?SMSU announced its team award winners at its annual team banquet on Dec. 6.  The awards were vote upon by the players and coaches.
TEAM MVP: Josh Shudlick
OFFENSIVE MVP: Zach Wysong
DEFENSIVE MVP: Tyler Reed
SPECIAL TEAMS MVP: Blake Wilson
SCOUT OFFENSIVE MVP: Tyler Peschong
SCOUT DEFENSIVE MVP: Nick Endres
SCOUT SPECIAL TEAMS MVP: Mark Schollmeyer

2008 All-NSIC?Honorees:?SMSU?had eight players earn post season honors from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference as voted upon by the league's 14 head coaches.
FIRST TEAM SOUTH:?Tyler Reed, S

SECOND TEAM SOUTH:?Josh Shudlick, QB ; Zach Wysong, RB ; Michael Liggins, LB ; Scott Talcott, K

HONORABLE MENTION: Lionel Lamarre, CB ; Bill Noethlich, OL ; Blake Wilson, WR

Reed Named Second Team All-Region:?Senior Tyler Reed was named to the Daktronics Super Regional 3 second team following the 2008 season.  It's the second straight season Reed has earned Daktronics All-Region honors.  He was a first team honoree following the 2007 season.  He becomes just the second Mustang player in school history to be named all-region two consecutive seasons at the Division II?level.  Defensive tackle Jason Jacobs was a three-time all-region honoree from 1997-99.

Shudlick & Reed Earn Academic District Honors:?Seniors Josh Shudlick and Tyler Reed were both named to the 2008 ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA?second team Academic All-District team on Nov. 6.  Shudlick and Reed were two of 12 players from the NSIC to be named first or second team Academic All-District.  The District V College Division Academic All-District team features players from NCAA Division II and III and NAIA in the region.

Academic All-NSIC:?Seventeen Tyler Bair, Dan Brannen, Ryan Burke, Tim Cariveau, Matt Carmody, Josh Griebel, Nate Holleman, Zach Kasper, Tom Kolb, Alex Mayorov, Tyler Mickelson, Paul Muecke, Ben Nath, Tyler Reed, Tony Rislov, Josh Shudlick, Jordan Wager.

Mustangs in the NCAA Statistics: The SMSU offense finished the regular season ranked 14th in the country in passing offense averaging 289.9 yards per game with senior quarterback Josh Shudlick ranked 16th in total offense (276.3) and 52nd in passing efficiency (131.9).  Junior running back Zach Wysong ranked 22nd in all purpose yards (136.0), 33rd in rushing (92.3) and 36th in receptions per game (5.8).  Wysong finished the regular season ranked first in the country in receptions per game among running backs.  Junior wide out Blake Wilson ranked tied for 42nd in receptions per game (5.5), tied for 61st in punt returns (7.8) and tied for 76th in receiving yards (65.4).  The final 2008 NCAA?statistics will not be complete until the playoffs are ended in mid-December.
     For a complete look at SMSU and Mustang individuals in the NCAA?statistics see chart on page 3.

A?Little SMSU History: The 2008 season was the 41st year of college football at Southwest Minnesota State, dating back to 1968.  SMSU owns an all-time record of 153-259-5, including 93-167-5 in conference play.  SMSU has now recorded eight winning seasons and has appeared in two NAIA?playoffs (1987 and 1991), while earning its lone conference championship in 1990.

The Cardiac Kids: SMSU made it exciting to be a fan during the 2008 season in earning four of its six victories.  The Mustangs held a 44-point halftime lead over Minnesota, Crookston in the season opener and were never threatened after that but in its next four wins, SMSU has been either tied or trailing in the fourth quarter before mounting comebacks to win. 
     SMSU was tied with 21 seconds left in the fourth quarter versus Upper Iowa but scored the game-winning touchdown with 10 seconds left.  Two weeks later SMSU trailed Winona State 28-27 with 6:07 left in the game but scored the go-ahead touchdown with 3:31 remaining.  In the win over Concordia, SMSU trailed 28-17 early in the fourth quarter before scoring 21 straight points to get the victory and last week SMSU?fell behind 32-31 to Northern State with 7:15 to play before scoring the game-winner with 1:38 left on the clock.
     SMSU held a 14-point lead over MSU Moorhead in the season finale and were never threatened in earning the victory.

SMSU Earns Three NSIC Road Victories: With its victory in the final game of the season on Nov. 8 at MSU?Moorhead, SMSU recorded its third conference road win of the season marking the first time an SMSU team has won three conference roads games in a season since 1999. 

On the Road Again: SMSU finished 3-2 in road games this season, its first winning road season since 2004 and just the fourth in school history.  SMSU is 10-14 in road games during head coach Eric Eidsness' tenure. 
     In 1991, SMSU finished 4-1, while the 1997, 2004 and 2008 teams all finished with 3-2 road records.

SMSU in School Single-Season Record Book: The following is where the 2008 team?ranks in the team single-season record book.
Pass Completion Pct.:?1st, 61.7
Pass Completions:?2nd, 300
Pass Attempts:?2nd, 486
Passing Yards:?4th, 3,189
Total Points: 4th, 323
Touchdown Passes:?4th, 31
Total Offense Yards:?5th, 4,097
Touchdowns:?5th, 43
Total Offense/Game:?6th, 372.5

Mustang Individuals in Single-Season Records:?The following is where Mustang individuals rank in the single-season record book following the 2008 season.
Rushing Yards: Zach Wysong, 2nd, 1,016
Rushing Attempts: Zach Wysong, 4th, 234
Rushing Yards/Game:?Zach Wysong, 6th, 92.4
Pass Attempts: Josh Shudlick, 2nd, 477
Pass Completions:?Josh Shudlick, 2nd, 296
Passing Yards:?Josh Shudlick, 3rd, 3,149
Passing TDs:?Josh Shudlick, 3rd, 30
Pass Completion Pct.: Josh Shudlick, 1st, 62.1
Pass Receptions TDs: Derek Townsend, 9th, 9
Pass Receptions TDs: Blake Wilson, 9th, 9
Total Offense: Josh Shudlick, 4th, 3,039
All Purpose Yards: Zach Wysong, 7th, 1,497
PATs Made:?Scott Talcott, 2nd, 44

High Scoring Numbers for SMSU:?Southwest Minnesota State finished the season averaging 29.4 per game and ended the year scoring 30 or more points in five different games becoming the first SMSU team to do so in one season since 1991.
     SMSU's 29.4 points per game average ranks as the fifth highest in school history and the highest since the 1992 team finished the season averaging 33.8 points.  The school record for scoring average is 45.3 set by the 1991 squad.

That's Another Mustang First Down!:?The SMSU offense has racked up 236 first downs this season ranking as the second highest in school history.  The 1987 teams holds the record with 283.

400-Yard Games for SMSU?Offense: The Mustang offense reached the 400-yard mark in total offense four times this season and eight times in the last two years.  SMSU finished with 455 yards in a win over Upper Iowa, 438 in a loss to Augustana, 406 in a victory over Concordia and a season-high 489 yards in a win over Northern State.
     Since head coach Eric Eidsness took over in 2004, SMSU has recorded 15 games of 400 yards or more of total offense.

 In the Red Zone Under Eidsness: Southwest Minnesota State scored on 38 of 51 trips inside the “red zone”?this season with 33 touchdowns.  The 74.5 percent scoring rate is the highest during the coach Eidsness era.  The following is a look at SMSU's “red zone” statistics under head coach Eric Eidsness.
    Year    Red-Zone    TD    FG
    2004    30 of 47 (63.8)    25    5
    2005    21 of 29 (72.4)    14    7
    2006    27 of 38 (71.1)    20    7
    2007    28 of 42 (66.7)    20    8
    2008    38 of 51 (74.5)    33    5

Mustang Passing Attack:?The SMSU passing offense racked up 3,189 yards during the 2008 season becoming the first SMSU team to reach the 3,000-yard mark since the 1993 team finished with 3,153 yards.  The 3,189 yards is the fourth highest total in a single-season in school history.

Reaching the 3,000 Mark: Senior Josh Shudlick passed for 3,149 yards this season ranking as the third highest in school history and the most since Jeff Loots passed for 4,111 yards in 1991.

More Passing Numbers:?SMSU senior quarterbacks Josh
Shudlick and Tony Rislov passed for a combined 31 touchdowns this season, the fourth highest in school history and the most by SMSU since the 2000 team finished with 26.  Only four other Mustang teams have ever reached the 30 touchdown passes thrown mark in one season.  The 1991 squad holds the team record with 51, followed by the 1987 (38), 1992 (35), 2008 (31) and 1993 (30) teams.

Shudlick Sets NSIC?Passing Records:?Josh Shudlick also set a new NSIC?record and tied another during the 2008 conference season.  He finished the 10-game conference season passing for 3,082 yards setting a new NSIC?single-season record while his 30 touchdowns passes in conference play ties the record set by Dustin?Long of MSU Moorhead in 2007.

Shudlick Sets SMSU Career Record:?SMSU senior quarterback Josh Shudlick set a new SMSU?career record for pass completions in the week nine loss to Minnesota State, Mankato.  He finished his career completing 769 passes breaking the previous record of 703 held by Jeff Loots (1990-92).

Shudlick Sets Another School Record:?Senior quarterback Josh Shudlick set a school record in SMSU's loss to Augustana on Oct. 10 with 40 pass completions.  Earlier in the season he tied the school record (done three times earlier) with 39 completions in a loss to Minnesota Duluth.  Shudlick finished the Augustana game passing for a career-high 451 yards and three touchdowns on 61 attempts.  The previous record of 39 completions was held by Shudlick, Curt Strasheim (11/14/81 vs. MSU Moorhead), Jeff Loots (10/20/90 vs. Bemidji State)?and Shawn Dupris (9/3/94 vs. Missouri Western State).

Shudlick Sets Completion Pct.:?Senior Josh Shudlick completed 296 of 477 pass attempts this season for 62.1 percent setting a school single-season record.  He broke the previous record of 61.7 percent set by Steve Elzenga in 1987.

Shudlick Moves up the Record Book: The following is where senior quarterback Josh Shudlick finished in the career records book at SMSU.
SMSU?career pass completions
    769    Josh Shudlick    2005-08
    703    Jeff Loots      1990-92

SMSU career pass attempts
 1,310    Josh Shudlick    2005-08
 1,224        Jeff Loots    1990-92

SMSU?career passing yards
    10,116    Jeff Loots      1990-92
    8,723    Josh Shudlick    2005-08

SMSU career passing TDs
    102    Jeff Loots    1990-92
    64    Steve Elzenga    1983-87
    59    Josh Shudlick    2005-08

SMSU pass completion pct (minimum 600 attempts)
    59.1    Steve Elzenga (518-876)    1983-87
     58.7    Josh Shudlick (769-1310)    2005-08

SMSU career total offense
9,805        Jeff Loots    1990-92
8,445    Josh Shudlick    2005-08

Shudlick Passing Over 300 Again & Again & Again: Senior quarterback Josh Shudlick passed for over 300 yards in six games this season including a career-high 451 yards on Oct. 11 versus Augustana.  Dating back to last season Shudlick passed for 300 or more yards in 11 of his last 16 games.  He finished the 2007 season passing for over 300 yards in the final five games becoming the first SMSU quarterback to pass for over 300 yards in five straight games since Jeff Loots in 1992. 
 
Wysong Sets Single Game Record:?Junior running back Zach Wysong set a new school record with 46 rushing attempts in the season finale versus MSU?Moorhead.  He broke the record of 43 rush attempts set by David Whitten versus MSU?Moorhead in 2003.

Wysong Moving Up List:?Junior running back Zach Wysong moved into third on the school's all-time rushing list during SMSU's season finale victory over MSU?Moorhead.  He has now rushed for 2,270 yards in his career and is just 141 yards from second place and 283 yards from breaking the 34-year old career rushing yards record.
     Wysong also ranks fourth in career rushing touchdown with 20 and is one shy of tying for second place.  Wysong's 70.9 rushing yards per game average first all-time.
SMSU career rushing yards
    2,552    Rich Froemling    1971-74
    2,410    Robert Lipsey    1987-90
    2,270    Zach Wysong    2006-08

SMSU career rushing touchdowns
    29    Robert Lipsey    1987-90
     21    Ken Sather    1999-02
     21    Rich Froemling    1971-74
      20    Zach Wysong    2006-08

Fischer Cracks Top 15 in Receiving Chart:?Senior tight end Matt Fischer finished his career ranking 15th in school history with 123 career receptions. 

Talcott in the Career Record Book: Senior Scott Talcott, who set a single-season record in 2006 with 11 field goals made, finished the 2008 season kicking seven field goals and ended his career with 28 made field goals ranking second in school history while ranking first all-time in field goals attempted with 53.
     Talcott also finished second all-time in PATs made with 86.  Talcott did finish his career setting the school record for PAT pct. at 98.9 percent.  He made 86 of 87 PATs during his career.
SMSU?Field Goals Made Record Book
    33    Nate Krull    1997-2000
    28    Scott Talcott    2005-08

Roethler Among Top 10 in Punting:?Senior punter Korey Roethler finished his SMSU career ranking fifth all-time in punt yards with 4,676 and seventh in punt average at 35.5.  Roethler had his final season cut short in 2008 due to an injury after week six.

Reed Climbing Record Book:?Senior safety Tyler Reed concluded his career ranking high in several career records. Below is where he ranks in two defensive statistics.
•• All defensive records are from 1977 to present ••
SMSU?career solo tackles
    199    Nate Rudolph    1996-99
    173    Tyler Reed    2005-08

SMSU career total tackles
    358    Mike Roggenbuck (111-247)    1982-85
    356    Nate Rudolph (199-157)    1996-99
    315    Dan Lee (129-186)    1978-81
    303    Tyler Reed (173-130)    2005-08

Second Half Rally a First Since 2006:?SMSU's 38-28 road win at Concordia in week eight was its second of the season when trailing at halftime.  SMSU also came back to beat Upper Iowa in week four.  Prior to this season the last time SMSU won when trailing at halftime was on Oct. 14, 2006.  SMSU is 6-25 under coach Eidsness when trailing at halftime.

Another BIG?Rally Note:?SMSU trailed 21-3 early in the second quarter versus Upper Iowa in week four before mounting a rally and earning a 38-31 victory.  It was the first victory for SMSU when trailing by 14 or more points since rallying from a 30-16 second half deficit to earn a 37-30 victory versus Wayne State on Oct. 16, 2004.  SMSU also trailed 21-7 late in the second quarter in week eight versus Concordia and rallied for a 38-31 victory. 

Block Party:?The SMSU special teams blocked seven kicks during the 2008 season.  SMSU blocked two punts in the season opener versus Minnesota, Crookston with junior Lionel Lamarre returning one 20 yards for a touchdown.  It was SMSU's second blocked punt for a touchdown in the last two seasons.
     The Mustangs blocked a PAT?attempt in the loss to Minnesota Duluth, blocked a field goal in a win over Winona State, blocked two PAT attempts versus Augustana and blocked a PAT?versus Northern State.

Special Team Tackles:?The following is a look at the top tacklers for SMSU on special teams this season: Curt Gosser (9), Alex Mayorov (7), Jordan Wager (7), Scott Talcott (7), Derek Townsend (5), Levi Bullerman (5), Derek Klinkner (3), Tyler Reed (4), Shaye Thomas (3), Aaron Diggs (3), Tony Awoleye (3), Michael Liggins (2), Shane LaDage (2), Dan Brannen (2), John Kersbergen (2), Levi Reiff (1), Zach Kasper (1), Bryce Haessly (1), Lionel Lamarre (1), Matt Fischer (1).

Mustang Big Plays in '08:?The SMSU offense, defense and special teams provided long and exciting plays in 2008.  The SMSU offense recorded 26 plays of 25 yards or more while the kick return team has four returns of 30 yards or more.  SMSU special teams have also blocked two punts, three extra points, one field goal and recovered one on-side kick.
Mustang Offensive Plays of 25 or More Yards &
Kickoff/Punt Returns of 30 or More Yards
    Yds    Player    Opponent
    68     Wysong run    Concordia
    60    Townsend catch    Northern State
    57    McDonough catch    Augustana
    54    O'Leary catch    Upper Iowa
    46    Wysong run    MSU?Moorhead
    46    O'Leary kickoff return    Minn., Crookston
    44-td    Wysong catch    Minn., Crookston   
    43    Townsend catch    Augustana
    38    O'Leary catch    Minnesota State
    37    Wilson punt return    MSU Moorhead
    36    Brannen kickoff    Minn., Crookston
    34    Wilson punt return    Black Hills State
    33    Wilson catch    Augustana
    33    Wysong run    Upper Iowa
    32    Townsend catch    Upper Iowa
    31    McDonough catch    MSU?Moorhead
    30    Wilson catch    Black Hills State
    29    Wysong run    Winona State
    28    Fischer catch    Upper Iowa
    28    Townsend catch    Upper Iowa
    27    Townsend catch    Minnesota State
    27    Wysong run    Minnesota State
    27    Wysong catch    Wayne State
    27    Wilson catch    Upper Iowa
    26    Wilson catch    Northern State
    26    McDonough catch    Northern State   
    26    Fischer catch    Minn., Crookston
    25    Townsend catch    Concordia
    25    Wilson catch    Winona State
    25    Wudtke catch    Winona State
       
Holding onto the Ball:?Winning the turnover margin each week is a major key to winning games.  SMSU finished the season opener versus Minnesota, Crookston plus-5, but has finished with a “plus” in turnover margin just twice for the remainder of the season. (see chart on page 3)
     Turnover margin has been a major issue for SMSU in recent years.  Since the start of the 2004 season (55 games), SMSU has been a “plus” in turnover margin in just 11 games (three in 2004, two in 2005, one in 2006, two in 2007 and three in 2008). 
     In SMSU's last 36 conference games, which spans from late in the 2004 season through this season, SMSU is minus-32 in turnover margin.  The Mustangs have been “even” or “minus” in turnover margin in 28 of its last 36 conference games.  

Close Calls the Past Two-Plus Years: Southwest Minnesota State's 12-21 overall record since the start of 2006 is nothing to write home about, however, a look inside the numbers reveals that the Mustangs have suffered a handful of “what if” games during the past three years.  In the last 33 games, 20 have been decided by a total of 107 points, an average of 5.3 per game.  During that time span, 12 of SMSU's 21 losses have been by a total of 61 points (5.0 per game).

Ready to Run:?SMSU did not rush for 200 yards as a team during the 2008 season but junior running back Zach Wysong did rush for 225 yards in the season finale versus MSU?Moorhead.  SMSU has reached the 200-yard rushing mark in a single game eight times under coach Eidsness.

SMSU “D”?Against the Run: The Mustang defense has held opponents to under 100 yards rushing 18 times since 2004, a span of 55 games and have held opponents to 108 yards or less in 20 games during that same time period.  SMSU held four opponents this season to under 100 yards rushing in a game.
     The Mustangs held Minnesota, Crookston to 86 yards in the season opener, held Concordia to 63 yards in a week eight win,  limited Northern State to 73 yards in week ten and MSU?Moorhead to just 74 yards in the final game of the season.

Four Mustangs Earns NSIC Weekly?Awards: Four Mustang players earned conference player of the week honors this season.  Senior quarterback Josh Shudlick was named NSIC?Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 21, junior cornerback Lionel Lamaare was named NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 2, senior kicker Scott Talcott was named Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 6, while junior running back Zach Wysong was named Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 10.
     Lamarre recovered a fumble on an UMC kickoff return and also scooped up a blocked punt and ran it back 20 yards for a touchdown in the season opener.
     Shudlick completed 23 of 35 passes for 332 yards and tossed three touchdowns to lead SMSU to a 38-31 victory over Upper Iowa.  Shudlick's final pass was a 54-yard touchdown strike to Sean Patrick O'Leary with 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter to snap a 31-31 tie and lift SMSU?to the victory. 
     Talcott booted field goals of 45 and 37 yards in SMSU's win over Winona State and was also a perfect 3-for-3 on PATs.
     Wysong rushed for a career-high 225 yards on a school record 46 carries in the win over MSU Moorhead.

Mustangs Going Overtime:?In 2007, SMSU dropped a double overtime decision to NSIC?champion Winona State marking the program's seventh overtime game and third multi-overtime game in school history since the NCAA?added overtime in 1998.  SMSU is 2-5 in overtime games including 1-2 in multi-overtime contests. 

2008 Team Captains: SMSU head coach Eric Eidsness announced during fall practice that four players have been named team captains for the 2008 season as selected by the players.  Senior quarterback Josh Shudlick and senior center Tom Kolb have been named offensive team captains while senior Tyler Reed and senior Brad Wolf were named defensive captains.  It's the second straight year Shudlick and Kolb have served as team captains.

A New Home for SMSU Football: The Aug. 30 game marked a new era for SMSU?football as the program opened a new $16 million stadium.  Construction of the 2,800-seat Regional Event Center began in May of 2007 and is the new home for SMSU football and soccer.  It also served as the home for Marshall High School football and soccer.
     During the official Grand Opening of the stadium on Sept. 6, the playing field was officially named Mattke Field.  Mattke was the former director of athletics and long time coach at the university.  If the name sounds familiar to football fans it should.  SMSU's previous home football stadium was called Mattke Field.  The official name of the new stadium is “Mattke Field at the Southwest Minnesota State?Regional Event Center”.

Mustang Quick Hitters:?Junior Zach Wysong rushed for a career-high 225 yards in the win over MSU?Moorhead in week 11 ... junior cornerback Lionel Lamarre had two interceptions versus MSU Moorhead becoming the first Mustang to have two INTs in one game since Sept. 17, 2005 ... redshirt freshman John Kersbergen intercepted his first career pass versus Northern State in week ten ... SMSU finished with a season-high 489 yards of offense versus Northern State ... junior Zach Wysong rushed for 152 yards in the week eight win over Concordia ... SMSU finished with a season-high six sacks in the win over Concordia ... junior Blake Wilson finished with a career-high 135 yards receiving in a week seven loss to Augustana ... junior Matt Carmody blocked two PAT attempts by Augustana ... sophomore linebacker Paul Muecke finished with a career-high eight tackles versus Augustana ... SMSU's 86-yard touchdown drive in week seven versus Augustana is its longest drive of the season ... redshirt freshman Derek Klinkner recorded a career-high 10 tackles versus Winona State ... redshirt freshman cornerback Nate Finkey returned an interception 37 yards for his first career touchdown in week five versus Wayne State ... junior safety Kevin Wagner had his first career INT versus Wayne State ... senior nose guard Brad Wolf and junior linebacker Aaron Diggs both recorded a career-high eight tackles versus Upper Iowa ... SMSU was held to 192 yards of total offense versus Black Hills State, the first time being held under 200 yards since the 2006 season ... senior linebacker Michael Liggins recorded a career-high 10 tackles versus Black Hills State ... quarterback Josh Shudlick completed just 6 of 22 passes for 67 yards in the loss to BHSU ... SMSU limited Minnesota, Crookston to just one first half first down and 59 total yards in the season opener ... SMSU blocked two punts versus Minnesota, Crookston (Curt Gosser and Derek Townsend) and returned one of the blocked kicks for a touchdown (Lionel Lamarre) ... 23 players saw their first collegiate action in an SMSU?uniform in the win over Minnesota, Crookston ... SMSU senior wide receiver Ryan Wudtke caught a career-high seven passes in the win over Minnesota, Crookston ... senior quarterback Tony Rislov's touchdown pass in the season opener was his first since 2005 ... SMSU's 54 points scored in the opener was its highest total since scoring 63 in the 2006 season opener.

Preseason NSIC?Poll: Southwest Minnesota State was picked to finish sixth in the seven-team NSIC?South Division and 11th overall in the NSIC?Preseason Coaches' Poll released in August.

Reed Earns Preseason Honors:?Senior safety Tyler Reed was named to the 2008 D2Football.com second team preseason All-America football team on Aug. 26.  He is one of just two players from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference that was named to either the 50-member first or second team squad. 
     Reed was also named the 2008 NSIC?South Division Preseason Player of the Year as voted upon by the league's 14 head coaches.