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THIS WEEK: The Southwest Minnesota State University (2-2 NSIC, 0-0 NSIC South) football team returns home this Saturday, Oct. 5, to open NSIC South Division play versus the University of Sioux Falls (2-2 NSIC, 0-0 NSIC South). Kickoff for the annual SMSU homecoming game is slated for 6 p.m. at Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center. Saturday's game features two of the top rushing teams in the country as SMSU enters the game ranked 10th, while USF is ranked 12th. SMSU's Tyler Tonderum is second in the country in rushing, while USF's Nephi Garcia ranks 30th in rushing (114.3). Southwest Minnesota State is coming off a 41-40 road loss to Bemidji State last Saturday, while Sioux Falls earned a 52-7 home win over Minnesota Crookston. A preview on Sioux Falls can be found on page 4.

THIS WEEK'S GAME QUICK FACTS:
•A victory for SMSU would move Cory Sauter into a tie for third on the SMSU all-time coaching victories list with Ron Flowers and Curt Strasheim.
•SMSU is playing USF in Marshall for the first time since Oct. 21, 1978.
•Tyler Tonderum has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the last three games becoming the first SMSU player to reach the feat since Josh Schleusner rushed for more than 100 yards in four straight games in 1999.
•AJ Page ranks first in the NSIC in both sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (9.0) and is fourth in tackles (38).
•Tonderum has a pair of 200-yard rushing games in his career (both this season) and is now tied with Rich Froemling (1971-74) and Ken Sather (1998-2001) for first the most 200-yard rushing games in school history.
•SMSU has scored 30 or more points in 10 of its last 16 games dating back to the final game of the 2011 season.

A VICTORY FOR SMSU WOULD...:
•Be its first over USF since Oct. 20, 1979.
•Give SMSU a 3-2 record, which would be its best record after five games since 2009.
•Give Cory Sauter a 9-11 record in home games.
•Lift SMSU's all-time record to 172-289-5, including 110-196-5 in conference play. 

SMSU ON HOMECOMING: SMSU is 20-24 all-time in homecoming games after snapping a four-game homecoming losing streak last season with a 40-24 win over Wayne State. including losing four straight and 10 of the last 12 games. SMSU is just 3-11 in it last 14 homecoming  games since 1999. 
Year  Opponent, Result
1999 Northern State L, 6-20
2000  Winona State W, 21-16
2001  Northern State L, 18-36
2002  Minnesota Duluth L, 7-38
2003  Wayne State L, 40-41
2004  Bemidji State L, 7-30
2005  Winona State L, 14-42
2006  Mary L, 0-20
2007  Concordia W, 24-19
2008  Wayne State L, 28-34
2009  Augustana L, 7-29
2010  Wayne State L, 20-38
2011  Augustana L, 24-37
2012 Wayne State W, 40-24

ON THIS DATE: SMSU is 2-4 all-time when playing on Oct. 5. Below are the results from previous games played on this date.
•1968 - Northland, W 26-6
•1974 - at Moorhead State, L 28-14
•1985 - at Wisconsin-River Falls, L 69-7
•1991 - at Minnesota-Morris, W 46-2
•1996 - at Minnesota Duluth, L 28-27
•2002 - Minnesota Duluth, L 38-7

SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS: The Southwest Minnesota State offense begins week five ranked 10th in the country in rushing (281.5), 19th in total offense (501.5), 45th in scoring offense (34.8) and 91st in passing offense (220.0). The SMSU defense ranks 72nd in total defense (376.5), 97th in passing efficiency defense (133.5), 109th in scoring defense (32.8) and 102nd in rushing defense (174.5). For a complete look at where SMSU and Mustang individuals rank in this week's stats go to pages 19-20.

SMSU IN THE NSIC STATS: SMSU ranks high in several team categories in the NSIC statistics heading into week five. SMSU is first in rushing (281.5), second in total offense (501.5), fifth in scoring (34.8) and eighth in passing (220.0) ... Junior running back Tyler Tonderum leads the NSIC in rushing (196.2), scoring (15.0) and all purpose yards (233.2) ... Junior quarterback Charlie Kern is sixth in total offense (262.8) and seventh in passing (220.0) ... Sophomores Jared Twedt and Donovan Woods both are tied for third with two interceptions ... Junior AJ Page ranks first in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (9.0) and fourth in tackles (38) ... Junior punter Mike Wenk is second in punt average (42.2).