THIS WEEK: Southwest Minnesota State University (6-2, 2-2 NSIC South) looks to remain in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title chase hosting No. 7 Minnesota State University (7-1, 3-1 NSIC South) in a South Division game this Saturday, Oct. 31.  Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center in Marshall. SMSU is coming off a victory at Upper Iowa on Saturday night, while MSU suffered its first loss of the season at home to Winona State on Saturday, snapping its 40-game conference winning streak.
    Saturday's game features two of the top offensive and defensive units in Division II. SMSU enters the game ranked 13th in Division II in total offense, including 12th in passing. MSU has the second ranked rushing defense in Division II and also ranks fourth in total defense and fifth in scoring defense.
    SMSU, which received two votes in this week's AFCA Top 25 poll for the third straight week, has never defeated a nationally ranked Division II team and has lost all 13 games to MSU. A preview of Minnesota State is located on page 4.

    A VICTORY FOR SMSU ON SATURDAY WOULD...:
    •Be its first over MSU in team history.
    •Be its first over a nationally ranked Division II team.
    •Give SMSU its best record after nine games since the 1991 team went 8-1.
    •Be its seventh of the season, marking just the fifth time in program history a team has reached seven victories.
    •Lift SMSU's all-time record to 186-302-5, including 124-208-5 in conference play.

    SMSU EIGHTH IN FIRST NCAA RANKINGS: For the first time in program history, Southwest Minnesota State is ranked among the top 10 in the first NCAA Super Region 3 rankings released on Monday by the NCAA national committee. SMSU (6-2) is ranked eighth in the poll and is one of five Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams in the top nine. The NSIC, the Great American Conference (GAC), the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) make up the 47-team NCAA Super Region Three. For the first time, seven teams from the four regions will earn a spot in the NCAA DII Football Playoffs with the number one seed in each region receiving a first round bye.

    MUSTANGS RECEIVE VOTES IN AFCA TOP 25: Southwest Minnesota State received two votes in this week's American Football Coaches Association Top 25 poll for the third straight week on Monday. SMSU is one of 14 teams outside the Top 25 to earn votes. Prior to this season, the only other time SMSU has received votes in the AFCA Top 25 poll came in the first regular season poll in 2008.

    RECORD AFTER EIGHT WEEKS: SMSU's 6-2 record is the program's best after eight weeks since the 1991 team started 8-0. It's the third time in history the team has started 6-2, matching the 1987 and 1990 squads.

    THE HEAD COACH: Southwest Minnesota State head coach Cory Sauter is in his sixth season and has an overall record of 27-37, including 26-35 in conference games. The 27 victories ranks him second all-time among 10 head coaches in program history. Gary Buer (1979-92) is the program leader with 70 victories. Sauter was named head coach on March 29, 2010, after serving two seasons as an assistant coach at SMSU. In 2009, Sauter served as the team's offensive coordinator, while in 2008 he served as quarterbacks coach. A complete bio on coach Sauter can be found on page 24.

    SMSU HIGH IN THE NSIC STATISTICS: Southwest Minnesota State ranks among the top 5 in several team NSIC statistical categories through eight weeks. SMSU ranks first in first downs (232), second in total offense (490.9), second in passing offense (311.2), fourth in time of possession (30:53), fourth in third-down conversions (51.1), fifth in scoring (33.5) and fifth in pass defense (222.8).

    NSIC AND NCAA STATISTICS: A complete listing of where SMSU ranks in this week's NCAA and NSIC statistics are located on pages 20-23.

    SMSU & GAME STORYLINES:
    •SMSU ranks first in Division II in first downs with 232.  
    •SMSU ranks 11th in Division II in third-down conversions at 51 percent (72 of 141), 12th in passing offense (311.2) and 13th in total offense (490.9).
    •SMSU's four road victories this season ties the 1991 and 2013 squads for highest in team history.
    •SMSU has had three different running backs rush for more than 100 yards in a game this season.
    •Sophomore Nate Huot tied a career-high with 10 receptions in last week's win at Upper Iowa.
    •Junior Raphael Lawson-Gayle recorded career-highs in receptions (6) and receiving yards (141) at Upper Iowa.
    •Sophomore Blake Gimbel set career-highs in completions (42), attempts (56) and yards (454) last week versus Upper Iowa. He ranks third in the NSIC in passing yards (296.5) and seventh in total offense (285.0).
    •Senior AJ Page ranks third in the NSIC and 23rd in Division II in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and is tied for fifth in the NSIC and 47th in the country in sacks (0.7).
    •Senior Davontay Stevens ranks fourth in the NSIC and 56th in Division II in rushing with 95.0 yards per game on a league-high 172 attempts. Stevens also ranks sixth in the league in all purpose yards (118.0).  
    •Junior safety Caleb Leichtnam is second in the NSIC with four interceptions.
    •Junior linebacker Tyler Flud ranks 10th in the NSIC in tackles with 8.4 per game.
    •Junior wide out Ty Steffensen ranks sixth in the NSIC in receptions per game (5.5).
    •SMSU is a "plus-3" in turnover margin this season and has been even or plus in seven of eight games. A season ago SMSU was a "plus" in turnover margin just twice and was "even" in two other games. SMSU finished 3-1 in the four games.
    •SMSU has scored 30 or more points in 24 of its last 43 games dating back to the final game of the 2011 season.
    •SMSU is 3-2-1 all-time when playing on Oct. 31, winning in 1981, 1992 and 2009, while losing in 1970 and 1998 and tying in 1987.

    LAST WEEK RECAP VS. UPPER IOWA: Blake Gimbel passed for a career-high 454 yards—the ninth highest in team history—to lead SMSU to a 34-19 victory over Upper Iowa University on Saturday night. Gimbel finished the game completing 42 of 56 pass attempts, while recording his first career 400-yard passing game. Raphael Lawson-Gayle caught six passes for a career-high 141 yards and one touchdown for SMSU, while Nate Huot tied a career-high with 10 receptions for 96 yards and on touchdown. SMSU, which ranked fourth in the NSIC in rushing, was held to just 22 rushing yards on 31 attempts. Davontay Stevens finished with 43 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown. Stevens also caught three passes for 36 yards and one touchdown. SMSU finished the game with 476 yards of offense, while the SMSU defense limited UIU to just 329 yards, its second lowest output all season. The SMSU defense shutout UIU in the second half in helping SMSU rally from a five-point halftime deficit. The UIU offense had five punts, a turnover on downs and one interception in seven, second half possessions. Tyler Flud helped pace the SMSU defense with 12 tackles, including two sacks and one pass break-up. Jonathan Cross and Donovan Woods each added nine tackles, while Alex Burton and AJ Page both racked up seven tackles and two tackles for loss.

    GIMBEL CLOSING IN ON SOPHOMORE RECORD: Quarterback Blake Gimbel is close to breaking several SMSU sophomore class passing records this season. Jeff Loots completed 215 passes for 2,967 yards and 25 touchdowns in 1990, all records for an SMSU sophomore signal-caller. Gimbel enters this week's game with 208 completions for 2,372 yards and 21 touchdown passes.  

    GIMBEL NAMED NSIC PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR SECOND TIME: Sophomore quarterback Blake Gimbel was named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season on Monday. Gimbel completed a career-high 42 passes on a career-high 56 attempts for a career-high 454 yards and four touchdowns. The 454 passing yards is the ninth highest total in school single-game history. He was also named NSIC Player of the Week on Sept. 28 for his efforts versus MSU Moorhead. He accounted for six touchdowns in SMSU's 48-9 victory completing 18 of 28 pass attempts for 299 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes. He also had a 1-yard touchdown run.  

    GIMBEL REACHES 300 AND BEYOND: Sophomore quarterback Blake Gimbel has passed for more than 300  yards in three games this season. His first career 300-yard passing game came in week five at Augustana with 332 yards. He reached the mark again versus Sioux Falls with 384 yards, before recording his first career 400-yard game last week at Upper Iowa with 454 yards, completing a career-high 42 passes. He also passed for 299 yards in a win over MSU Moorhead. A complete list is on page 4.

    TWO REACH 100-YARDS IN ONE GAME: Senior Davontay Stevens (131) and junior Divonte Beale (127) both reached 100 yards rushing in the win at Wayne State on Oct. 10. It's the first time two SMSU players have reached the century mark in a game since Gannon Moore and Warren Matthews versus Wayne State on Oct. 6, 2012.

    POUNDIN' THE ROCK: Southwest Minnesota State has been able to establish its running game through eight games averaging 220 yards per game ranking seventh in the NSIC. SMSU has had 45 or more rush attempts in six of eight games this season, including 50 or more rush attempts in four games. SMSU rushed 45 times or more in a game just three times all of 2014 and had 45 or more rush attempts six times in 12 games during the 2013 season in which the team played in the Mineral Water Bowl.

    MONEY RUSHERS: Senior Davontay Stevens and junior Ashanti Payne have both put up solid numbers rushing the ball through seven games. Stevens is averaging 4.4 yards per carry on 172 attempts for 760 yards, while Payne is averaging 4.7 yards per carry on 112 attempts for 525 yards. More impressive for both has been their ability to "keep the chains" moving when they carrying the ball. Of Stevens' 172 carries this season, a team-leading 43 have resulted in either a first down or a touchdown. Payne has rushed for a first down or a touchdown on 31 of his carries, while 12 of his 16 carries on third down have resulted in a first down. A complete list of "money" plays is found on page 16.

    A SEASON BLOCK PARTY: SMSU has recorded five blocked kicks this season. SMSU blocked a punt versus St. Cloud State, MSU Moorhead and Wayne State and also blocked a PAT versus MSU Moorhead and Sioux Falls. SMSU returned a blocked punt for a touchdown at Wayne State in week six, the first blocked kick returned for a touchdown since 2008.

    MUSTANG DEFENSE WITH BIG TIME PERFORMANCES: The SMSU defense has been strong all season, including a pair of outstanding performances in the last five weeks. SMSU held Wayne State to just three points and 309 yards offense on Oct. 10, while in the victory over MSU Moorhead on Sept. 26, the Dragons were held to just 275 yards and 14 first downs. The MSUM offense entered the game averaging 494 yards per game.

    LIMITING TO SINGLE DIGITS: Southwest Minnesota State has held two opponents this season to less than 10 points in a game. The Mustangs limited MSU Moorhead to nine points in week four and Wayne State to just three points in week six. The three points allowed versus Wayne State was the fewest since shutting out Waldorf College on Sept. 4, 2004. This year marks the first time since 2006 that SMSU has held an opponent to single digits twice in one season. In 2004, SMSU had three games limiting where opponents scored seven or less points.

    MOST POINTS SCORED IN A HALF: In SMSU's 61-3 road victory versus Wayne State on Oct. 10, SMSU scored 47 points in the opening half, setting a school record for points in a half. The new mark surpassed the previous record of 46 set on Oct. 19, 1991, in the second half versus Bemidji State.


    SMSU IN DIVISION PLAY: Since the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference adopted two divisions in 2011, SMSU has an all-time record of 10-10 versus NSIC North Division teams. For the first time ever, SMSU went a perfect 4-0 versus North Division squads. This season, South Division teams finished with a record of 24-8 versus North Division teams.
    SMSU is a combined 13-18 all-time in NSIC South Division games following last week's win at Upper Iowa.

    PAGE NAMED NSIC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior defensive end AJ Page was named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14 for his efforts versus Bemidji State. He recorded eight tackles, including two sacks, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in SMSU's 34-30 win over BSU.

    TY RANKS HIGH: Junior wide receiver Ty Steffensen led the team with 44 receptions for 426 yards and two touchdowns through eight weeks before suffering a season-ending injury at Upper Iowa on Oct. 24. He led the team in receptions in five of the first eight games this season. He set a career-high with 85 yards receiving in the win over MSU Moorhead on Sept. 26. His 5.5 receptions per game currently ranks sixth in the NSIC and 60th in Division II.

    SPECIAL TEAMS LEADERS: Southwest Minnesota State redshirt freshman Elijah McGeehan and junior Casey Hertz rank first on the team with seven special teams tackles each. McGeehan has all seven tackles on kickoff returns, while Hertz has six on kickoffs and one on punts. Hertz led SMSU with 14 special teams tackles last season with 11 coming on kickoff returns and two on punt return.

    TRUE FRESHMAN PLAY: Southwest Minnesota State has had five true freshman play this season in various roles. Fullback Dalton Jones, linebacker Aley Ney, defensive lineman Jon Dicke, defensive lineman Webb Bolstad and defensive back Peyton Sanders have all played for the Mustangs in their rookie seasons.

    MCREYNOLDS MOVES INTO TOP 10: Senior cornerback and return man Andrew McReynolds ranks ninth in school history with nine interceptions following his INT in week eight at Upper Iowa. He also ranks second in program history with 86 kickoff returns, third in kick return yards with 1,659 and sixth with 43 punt returns. Warren Matthews (2009-12) holds the school record with 104 kick returns, while Adrian Hebig (1985-88) ranks first with 89 punt returns.

    PAGE IN THE RECORD BOOK: Southwest Minnesota State senior defensive end AJ Page ranks among the top six in a pair of defensive categories in the school record book. He ranks third all-time in tackles for loss with 48.5 and tied for sixth in sacks with 18.5. Page's 17 tackles for loss in 2013, rank fourth on the SMSU single-season list.
    SMSU Career Tackles for Loss
    58.0    Jason Jacobs    1996-99
    54.0    Dan Lee    1978-81
    48.5    AJ Page    2012-15

    GET IN THE "ZONE": Southwest Minnesota State has scored on 29 of its 38 (76.3) possessions inside the "red zone" in 2015 with 27 touchdowns and two field goals. SMSU opponents are 23 of 33 (69.7) inside "red zone" with 15 touchdowns and four field goals. The following is SMSU in the red zone since 2004.
    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
    2009    41 of 45 (91.1)    36    5
    2010    22 of 30 (73.3)    22    0
    2011    35 of 41 (85.4)    29    6
    2012    30 of 37 (81.1)    25    5
    2013    49 of 57 (86.0)    40    9
    2014    35 of 43 (81.4)    26    8
    2015    25 of 33 (75.8)    23    2

    BIG PLAY MUSTANGS: SMSU has recorded 55 offensive/defensive plays or kick/punt returns of 20 or more yards in 2015, including 35 by the Mustang offense (6 run, 29 pass). For a complete look at the "long" plays and SMSU's "money" plays for the 2015 season, go to pages 15-16.
"Long" plays (20 yards or more) since 2001
    Year    No.    TD    Run    Pass    KR    PR    IR    FR
    2001    59    6    6    18    32    1    2    0
    2002    70    16    10    32    22    1    4    1
    2003    65    16    15    24    21    3    1    1            
    2004    67    10    17    27    18    1    4    0
    2005    61    12    10    28    18    2    3    0
    2006    43    4    3    25    11    2    2    0
    2007    69    11    7    32    24    1    4    1
    2008    61    10    6    32    18    2    3    0
    2009    98    22    14    49    30    1    4    0
    2010    61    14    10    32    18    0    0    1
    2011    60    8    13    22    23    1    1    0
    2012    66    20    18    28    19    1    0    0
    2013    125    30    28    51    41    1    2    2
    2014    71    12    15    27    21    3    5    0
    2015    55    13    6    29    12    5    3    0    

    THE 2015 ROSTER: The 2014 SMSU roster features 111 players (as of Oct. 26) with 13 seniors, 24 juniors, 15 sophomores, 13 redshirt freshmen and 46 freshmen. The roster includes players from 18 different states and Canada. Minnesota leads the way with 56 players, followed by Iowa (9), Wisconsin (8), California (6), Illinois (6), South Dakota (6), Florida (4), Michigan (3), Colorado (2), Arizona (2), Nevada (1), Nebraska (1), Kansas (1), Georgia (1), Oklahoma (1), Arkansas (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (1) and Ontario (1).

    RETURNING OFFENSIVE LINE IN 2015: Southwest Minnesota State returned six players that made five or more starts on the offensive line in 2014. SMSU had five new starters on the offensive line in 2014, following the graduation of all five starters from 2013.

    TEAM CAPTAINS: Four players, two on offense and two on defense, have been named team captains for the 2015 season. The team captains were selected by a vote of the Mustang players. The offensive team captains selected were senior running back Davontay Stevens and sophomore quarterback Blake Gimbel. The defensive team captains named were senior defensive end AJ Page and junior linebacker Tyler Flud. It's the second straight season Page has been selected captain.

    TURNOVER MARGIN: Southwest Minnesota State is plus-3 in turnover margin this season after eight weeks. In 2014, SMSU finished minus-13 in turnover margin.
    Since the start of the 2004 season (130 games), SMSU has been a "plus" in turnover margin in just 37 games (three in 2004, two in 2005, one in 2006, two in 2007, three in 2008, three in 2009, two in 2010, three in 2011, seven in 2012, six in 2013, twice in 2014 and three times this season). In SMSU's last 107 conference games, which spans from late in the 2004 season through 2015, SMSU is minus-45 in turnover margin. The Mustangs have been "even" or "minus" in turnover margin in 74 of their last 107 conference games.

    BEST START SINCE 1991: This season's 4-0 start was just the second in team history and the program's best since the 1991 team won its first eight games in route to a 9-1 season. It was also just the third time in program history (1990 & 1991) that an SMSU team had started conference play with a 4-0 record.

    MUSTANGS AT HOME: The 2015 season marks the eighth year for SMSU football at Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center. SMSU is 19-24 all-time at the stadium, including 2-1 this season. The $16 million facility opened in the fall of 2008 with the first college football game played on Aug. 30, versus Minnesota Crookston. SMSU has never recorded a winning season at the stadium, but has finished .500 three different seasons.

    RECORD ON THE ROAD: Southwest Minnesota State is 4-1 this season in road games, tying the 1991 and 2013 teams for most road wins in a single-season. SMSU, which finished 1-4 in road contests in 2014, is a combined 28-50 in road games since 2000.

    WORKING OVERTIME: SMSU has played in 11 overtime games since the NCAA added the extra session in 1998. SMSU is 4-7 all-time, including 0-1 last season. SMSU is 1-3 in multi-overtime games. SMSU's last overtime game was a home loss to Wayne State (48-45) on Oct. 25, 2014. The program's last multi-overtime game was a 34-31 double overtime loss at Minnesota State on Oct. 13, 2012.

    NSIC PRESEASON POLL: SMSU was picked to finish 11th overall and sixth in the South Division in the annual 16-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Sophomore wide receiver Nate Huot and senior cornerback Andrew McReynolds were named "Players to Watch" in the NSIC this season.

    MUSTANG HISTORY: The 2015 campaign marks the 48th season of college football at Southwest Minnesota State dating back to 1968. SMSU owns an all-time record of 185-302-5, including 123-208-5 in conference play. SMSU has recorded nine winning seasons, made two NAIA playoff appearances (1987 and 1991) and one Mineral Water Bowl appearance (2013). The program earned its lone conference championship in 1990.

    FOR OPENERS: Southwest Minnesota State is now 21-27 all-time in season openers following this season's victory at Minot State. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak in season opening games. SMSU is now 2-4 in season openers under head coach Cory Sauter.

    HOME OPENERS ALL-TIME: SMSU is now 27-22 all-time in home openers, including 4-2 during head coach Cory Sauter's tenure on the sideline since 2010. SMSU has won its last two home openers, including this season over Bemidji State.

    ALL-NSIC RETURNERS: SMSU returns two players who earned All-NSIC South Division honors in 2014. Senior cornerback Andrew McReynolds was named second team All-NSIC South, while sophomore wide receiver Nate Huot was named honorable mention All-NSIC South.

    MUSTANGS ON RADIO: All SMSU football games during the 2015 season will be broadcast on Marshall Radio, 105.1 FM KARL. Ryan Rohlik is in his third season as the play-by-play voice of SMSU football, while Anthony Rohlik provides analysis.

    ABOUT MINNESOTA STATE: Todd Hoffner is in his sixth season as head coach at Minnesota State with an overall record of 55-15. He has led MSU to three trips to the NCAA playoffs, including a national runner-up finish in 2014. He has also been the head coach at Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1999-2005)
    The Mavericks, previously ranked No. 1 in the country, suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday at home to Winona State, 31-27. MSU scored with 5:40 remaining in the game to build a 27-24 lead, but WSU answered with a touchdown at the 3:22 mark to regain a 31-27 advantage. Sophomore quarterback Nick Pieruccini completed 15 of 27 passes for 161 yards, but was intercepted twice. He also rushed for a game-high 106 yards on 23 attempts. Senior running back Chad Zastrow added a pair of rushing touchdowns and 61 yards on 12 carries. Zastrow also tied for the team-lead in the game with five receptions for 57 yards. For the season, Pieruccini has completed 66 of 117 passes for 939 yards with five touchdowns and nine interceptions. Junior quarterback Ricky Lloyd has appeared in all eight games and has completed 46 of 91 passes for 618 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions. MSU's leading rusher, senior running back Connor Thomas, has missed the last two games with an injury, after rushing for 619 yards and seven touchdowns in six games. Zastrow has rushed for 445 yards and seven touchdowns on 66 attempts. Sophomore receiver Ty Dennis has caught 24 passes for 499 yards and six touchdowns, while senior receiver Kyle Riggot has 21 receptions for 325 yards and one touchdown. Senior All-American defensive end Joshua Gordon paces the MSU defense with a 37 tackles with a team-leading 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Tyler Henderson is the team's leader with 53 tackles and has two interceptions.

    UP NEXT: Southwest Minnesota State will play at Concordia-St. Paul on Nov. 7 with kickoff set for 12 p.m.