THIS WEEK: Southwest Minnesota State University (2-6 NSIC, 1-3 NSIC South) continues action at home this Saturday, Nov. 1, taking on Concordia University-St. Paul (2-6 NSIC, 1-3 NSIC South) with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. at Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center. It will be the first afternoon game for SMSU at home this season and just the fourth afternoon game through nine weeks of the season.
A VICTORY FOR SMSU ON SATURDAY WOULD...: •Be its third straight over CU.
•Improve SMSU to 3-2 at home this season.
•Lift SMSU's all-time record to 179-298-5, including 117-204-5 in conference play.
SMSU WITH SEVENTH TOUGHEST SCHEDULE: If it seems like Southwest Minnesota State has played an undefeated team or a team with a winning record each week this season--its because its almost true! SMSU has played three teams that are still undefeated this season, while four of SMSU's five other opponents have a record of 5-3. The Mustangs has played the seventh toughest schedule in Division II this season with their opponents combined winning percentage at .679.
SMSU & GAME STORYLINES: •SMSU ranks first in the NSIC and 25th in Division II in third-down conversion percentage (46.3).
•SMSU ranks third in the NSIC and 15th in Division II in fewest penalty yards per game (45.1).
•SMSU ranks fifth in the NSIC in first downs with 188.
•SMSU had more than 35 minutes of time of possession in its last two games versus Sioux Falls and Wayne State.
•SMSU has recorded three straight games of 400-plus yards of total offense.
•SMSU ranks eighth in the NSIC in total offense, 10th in scoring offense, 12th in total defense and 14th in scoring defense.
•CU has been held to 14 or less points in five games this season.
•CU kicker Tom Obarski has made 15 of 17 field goals this season, including a 56-yarder last week versus Upper Iowa, which is the longest in Division II this season.
•Senior
Charlie Kern had his first 300-yard passing game of the season and also tied a career-high with five touchdown passes in the loss to Wayne State.
•Redshirt freshman
Nate Huot set a career-high with 10 receptions last week versus Wayne State and also recorded his second career 100-yard plus receiving game.
•Junior
Andrew McReynolds recorded his team-leading fourth interception last week versus Wayne State and now has an interception in three straight games.
•McReynolds ranks tied for third in the NSIC with fourth interceptions.
•Sophomore
Lance Boozer (5) and senior
Leon Perry (3) each recorded career-highs in tackles versus Wayne State last week.
•Senior
Jacob Levtzow missed last week's game with an injury and may miss the remainder of the season.
•Senior
Mike Wenk leads the NSIC in punting with a 45.2-yard average and ranks third in Division II.
•Junior
Jared Twedt and sophomore
Tyler Flud both rank ninth in the NSIC with 70 tackles, while sophomore
Casey Hertz is 13th with 68.
•Senior
Charlie Kern ranks sixth in the NSIC in passing (236.2) and eighth in total offense (267.1).
•Kern ranks first in school history in pass completion percentage (62.0).
•Senior
Tyler Tonderum ranks 22nd among all active players in Division II with 2,667 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 19 of its last 32 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.
TONDERUM REACHES MARK FOR 100-YARD GAMES: Senior
Tyler Tonderum recorded his 11th career 100-yard rushing game last week in the overtime loss to Wayne State. He is now tied with Zach Wysong (2006-09) for the most 100-yard rushing games in program history.
