THIS WEEK: Southwest Minnesota State University (2-4 NSIC, 1-1 NSIC South) will play an undefeated team for the third straight week and fourth time in the last five weeks this  Saturday, Oct. 18, at No. 19 University of Sioux Falls (6-0 NSIC, 2-0 NSIC South). Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls, S.D. SMSU will be facing its third nationally ranked team this season with all three games on the road.

    A VICTORY FOR SMSU ON SATURDAY WOULD...:
    •Be its first ever over a nationally ranked Division II team.
    •Be its first win over USF since 1979 and snap a two-game losing streak in the series.
    •Be its first two-game winning streak of the season.
    •Lift SMSU's all-time record to 179-296-5, including 117-202-5 in conference play.

    TOUGH SCHEDULE THROUGH SEVEN WEEKS: If it seems like Southwest Minnesota State has played an undefeated team each week this season--its because its almost true! SMSU will be playing its third straight undefeated team this Saturday at the University of Sioux Falls and fourth in the last five weeks. SMSU faced undefeated teams in week three (at Minnesota Duluth), in week five (at Minnesota State) and in week six (vs. Upper Iowa).

    SMSU STORYLINES:
    •Sioux Falls ranks first in the NSIC in total offense, second in total defense, second in scoring offense and second in scoring defense.
    •SMSU ranks 10th in the NSIC in scoring offense, 10th total offense, 12th in total defense and 13th in scoring defense.
    •SMSU ranks first in the NSIC and 26th in Division II in third-down conversion percentage (46.3).
    •Junior Andrew McReynolds recorded a career-high 11 tackles and had one interception in last week's win over Upper Iowa.
    •The SMSU defense limited Upper Iowa's Chris Smith--the second leading rusher in Division II--to just 104 yards on 24 carries last Saturday. Smith gained 55 of his 104-yard total on a touchdown run in the third quarter.
    •Senior Jordan Cross recorded his first career two-touchdown game last week versus Upper Iowa.
    •Redshirt freshman Nate Huot recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game last week versus Upper Iowa with six receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown.
    •Senior Mike Wenk leads the NSIC in punting with a 44.2 yard average and ranks third in Division II.
    •Sophomore Tyler Flud ranks fifth in the NSIC with 59 tackles, sophomore Casey Hertz ranks seventh with 56 tackles, while junior Jared Twedt ranks ninth with 52.
    •Senior Charlie Kern ranks sixth in the NSIC in passing (218.8) and eighth in total offense (249.5).
    •Kern ranks first in school history in pass completion percentage (61.0).
    •Junior Kevin Parks ranks sixth in the NSIC in punt return average (10.0).
    •Senior Tyler Tonderum ranks 19th among all active players in Division II with 2,564 career rushing yards.
    •Junior defensive end AJ Page missed two games earlier this season with an injury.
    •Wenk booted three field goals in the win over UMC in week two becoming the first SMSU kicker to make three field goals in a game since 2007.
    •SMSU's seven points scored in week three versus UMD was its lowest since losing 38-0 to Minnesota State on Nov. 5, 2011.
    •SMSU has scored 30 or more points in 18 of its last 30 games dating back to the final game of the 2011 season.
    •SMSU's 56 points in week two versus Minnesota Crookston was its highest point total since scoring 63 versus South Dakota Tech in 2006.