THIS WEEK: The Southwest Minnesota State University (2-1 NSIC, 0-0 NSIC South) football team returns to the road this weekend to face Bemidji State University (1-2 NSIC, 0-0 NSIC North) on Saturday, Sept. 28, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. at BSU's Chet Anderson Stadium. SMSU has won two straight games and will be looking to secure the program's first three-game winning streak since the 2004 season. SMSU will also be looking to break a 12-game losing streak to BSU, with SMSU's last victory coming on Sept. 27, 1997. Southwest Minnesota State is coming off a 37-21 home victory over Minot State last Friday night, while Bemidji State was shutout 24-0 at Augustana. A preview on Bemidji State 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 last defeated BSU on Sept. 27, 1997.
•SMSU's last three-game winning streak occurred in 2004 (Oct. 9-16-23).
•SMSU has been held to 15 or less points in the last nine games versus BSU.
•
Tyler Tonderum is the first SMSU player to rush for over 100 yards in back-to-back games since Zach Wysong in 2008.
•SMSU has scored 30 or more points in nine of its last 15 games dating back to the final game of the 2011 season.
A VICTORY FOR SMSU WOULD...:
•Secure its first three-game winning streak since 2004.
•Snap a 12-game losing streak to BSU. SMSU's last win in the series came on Sept. 27, 1997.
•Give
Cory Sauter a 6-11 record in road games during four seasons as head coach.
•Lift SMSU's all-time record to 172-288-5, including 110-195-5 in conference play.Â
ON THIS DATE: SMSU is 3-2 all-time when playing on Sept. 28. Below are the results from previous games played on this date.
•1968 - at Pillsbury Baptist, L 34-20
•1974 - Bemidji State, W 27-17
•1985 - Minnesota Duluth, L 17-13
•1991 - Winona State, W 47-14
•1996 - Bemidji State, W 32-7
•2002 - Minnesota-Morris, W 43-24
SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS: The Southwest Minnesota State offense begins week four ranked 13th in the country in rushing (288.7), 20th in total offense (500.0), 54th in scoring offense (33.0) and 95th in passing offense (211.3). The SMSU defense ranks 74th in total defense (373.7), 83rd in passing efficiency defense (127.2), 93rd in scoring defense (30.0) and 95th in rushing defense (161.7). For a complete look at the NCAA statistics go to ncaa.com/sports/football/d2
SMSU IN THE NSIC STATS: SMSU ranks high in several team categories in the NSIC statistics heading into week four. SMSU leads the league in total offense (500.0), is first in rushing (288.7), fourth in scoring (33.0) and seventh in passing (211.3). Junior running back
Tyler Tonderum leads the NSIC n rushing (187.0) and scoring (16.0) and is second in all purpose yards (233.0). Junior quarterback
Charlie Kern is fourth in total offense (266.0) and fifth in passing (211.3). Sophomore
Andrew McReynolds ranks second in kick return average (30.5), while junior punter
Mike Wenk is second in punt average (44.1).
