THIS WEEK: Southwest Minnesota State University (7-3, 3-3 NSIC South) closes out the regular season this Saturday, Nov. 14, hosting Winona State University (5-5, 3-3 NSIC South) at Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center with kickoff slated for 1 p.m.
    The game will be also be the first "trophy" game in SMSU history. The "Battle for the Sledge" game was announced on Tuesday by BIG Athletics/adidas. Both SMSU and WSU are contracted programs with BIG Athletics.     
    SMSU will be looking to defeat WSU for the third straight season, which would be SMSU's first three-game winning streak versus WSU since winning seven straight from 1987-93.
    SMSU is also seeking a victory to keep its NCAA playoff hopes alive or for an appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl. The Mustangs begin the week ranked No. 9 in this week's Super Region 3 rankings. An NSIC team that fails to qualify for the NCAA playoffs will be selected to the Mineral Water Bowl. SMSU played in the annual bowl game in 2013.
    Saturday's game features two of the top passing offensive units in the country. SMSU is ranked 15th in passing yards, while WSU is ranked fifth nationally. A preview of Winona State is located on page 4.

    BATTLE FOR THE SLEDGE: BIG Athletics and adidas announced on Tuesday the inaugural "Battle for the Sledge" trophy game between SMSU and WSU will be played on Saturday. Here is the history behind the naming of the trophy game, "Battle for the Sledge". During the 2008 season, Winona State would name a defensive player of the game from the previous week's contest and award that player with a sledgehammer for the next week. During warm-ups of the WSU/SMSU game on Oct. 4 2008, a WSU player brought the sledgehammer to mid-field prior to the game while SMSU players looked on. SMSU went on to earn a 35-28 victory over WSU, snapping the Warriors' seven-game winning streak in the series. Following the game, SMSU players ran over to the WSU sideline and grabbed the sledgehammer, celebrating the victory at midfield. With emotions running high for both teams following a hard – fought game, a WSU player went over to the SMSU sideline to get their sledgehammer back. SMSU gave the sledgehammer back and a rivalry was born. WSU leads the series 4-3 since the 2008 game.
    The trophy is a 7-foot tall Sledge Hammer with the team logos of both WSU and SMSU on each side of the trophy. In addition to the sledge trophy, BIG Athletics will also be providing two MVP trophies to be awarded to the most valuable player on each team.  

    A VICTORY FOR SMSU ON SATURDAY WOULD...:
    •Be its first third straight over WSU.
    •Be its eighth of the season, setting a school record for most wins in a season at the Division II level (since 1995).
    •Give SMSU its eight win of the season, tying the 1990 team for the second most wins in program history.
    •Secure SMSU at least fourth place in the NSIC overall standings for the second time in three seasons.
    •Give SMSU a 3-2 home record this season, marking the first winning season ever at the Schwan Regional Event Center since it opened in 2008.
    •Lift SMSU's all-time record to 187-303-5, including 125-209-5 in conference play.

    SEVEN VICTORIES AMONG THE BEST: Southwest Minnesota State's seven victories this season ranks as one of the best in team history. It's just the fifth time ever an SMSU team has won seven or more games in a season. The 1991 team finished 9-1, the 1990 squad was 8-3, while the 1987 team and 2013 teams both finished with seven victories.

    FINAL HOME GAME FOR 13 SENIORS: Saturday's game will be the final regular season game for 13 Mustang senior players. The seniors include Davontay Stevens, Andrew McReynolds, AJ Page, Donovan Woods, Kevin Parks, Jonathan Cross, Jared Twedt, Alex Burton, Randolph Givens, Joe Grant, Alan McCaulley, Quinn Bullard and Nathan Tiede.

    SMSU BACK IN THE NCAA RANKINGS: Southwest Minnesota State University has moved back among the top 10 in the third NCAA Super Region 3 rankings released on Monday by the NCAA national committee. SMSU (7-3) is ranked ninth in the poll and is one of four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams in the top 10. SMSU—for the first time in program history—was ranked No. 8 in the first region poll released on Oct. 26. 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. 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. The NCAA DII Football selection show is set to air on NCAA.com on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. CST.

    MUSTANG AND THE AFCA TOP 25: Earlier this season, for the first time since 2008, Southwest Minnesota State received votes in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 poll. SMSU received two votes in each of the polls on Oct. 12, 19 and 26. The only other time SMSU has received votes in the AFCA Top 25 poll came in the first regular season poll in 2008.

    THE HEAD COACH: Southwest Minnesota State head coach Cory Sauter is in his sixth season and has an overall record of 28-38, including 27-36 in conference games. The 28 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 & GAME STORYLINES:
    •Three of SMSU's top four receivers, Ty Steffensen, Cameron Parus and Raphael Lawson-Gayle have suffered season-ending injuries in the past three weeks. The trio have combined for 96 receptions for 1,099 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
    •SMSU ranks first in Division II in first downs with 283.  
    •SMSU ranks ninth in Division II in third-down conversions at 51 percent (79 of 158), 13th in total offense (483.8) and 15th in passing offense (299.0).
    •Senior wide receiver Kevin Parks caught a season-high nine passes for 73 yards last Saturday.
    •SMSU has had three different running backs rush for more than 100 yards in a game this season.
    •Sophomore Nate Huot ranks sixth in the NSIC in receptions per game (5.7) and eighth in yards per game (75.1).
    •Sophomore Blake Gimbel ranks second in the NSIC in passing yards (286.8) and sixth in total offense (279.1).
    •Senior AJ Page ranks second in the NSIC and 18th in Division II in tackles for loss per game (1.75) and is third in the NSIC and 34th in the country in sacks (0.75).
    •Senior Davontay Stevens ranks third in the NSIC and 68th in Division II in rushing with 88 yards per game and ranks tied for second in the league with 203 attempts. Stevens also ranks eighth in the league in all purpose yards (106.6).  
    •Junior safety Caleb Leichtnam is tied for fourth in the NSIC with four interceptions.
    •Junior linebacker Tyler Flud ranks 12th in the NSIC in tackles with 7.9 per game.
    •SMSU is "plus 2" in turnover margin this season and has been even or plus in eight of 10 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 25 of its last 45 games dating back to the final game of the 2011 season.
    •SMSU is 4-2 all-time when playing on Nov. 14, winning in 1981, 1987, 1992 and 2009, while losing in 1970 and 1998.

    LAST WEEK RECAP VS. CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL: Southwest Minnesota State rolled up 522 yards offense—including rushing for 278 yards—to roll to a 48-24 victory over Concordia-St. Paul last Saturday afternoon. SMSU's Blake Gimbel completed 25 of 35 pass attempts for 243 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for one touchdown.  SMSU's rushing attack was led by Ashanti Payne, who gained a game-high 109 yards and one touchdown on just 11 carries. Davontay Stevens added 87 yards and one touchdown on 20 attempts. Nate Huot caught eight passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns for the Mustangs, while teammate Kevin Parks led all receivers with nine catches for 73 yards. SMSU, which held a 41-10 lead in the fourth quarter, was led on defense by AJ Page, who recorded seven tackles, including two sacks and one pass break-up. Andrew McReynolds also had big day, racking up seven tackles, including one for loss with a forced fumble and one interception.

    PAGE IN THE SINGLE-SEASON AND CAREER RECORD BOOK: Southwest Minnesota State senior defensive end AJ Page ranks among the tops in several single-season and career school records. He currently has 17.5 tackles for loss this season, which is 1.5 shy of tying Jason Jacobs (1999) and Paul Petan (1985) for the school single-season record of 19. Page's 7.5 sacks this season currently ranks ninth in the single-season record book. In the career record book, Page ranks third in tackles for loss with 52 and is fourth in sacks with 20.5.  
    SMSU Single-Season Tackles for Loss
    19.0 - Jason Jacobs    1999
    19.0 - Paul Petan    1985
    18.0 - Jason Jacobs    1997
    17.5 - AJ Page    2015

    SMSU Career Tackles for Loss
    58.0    Jason Jacobs    1996-99
    54.0    Dan Lee    1978-81
    52.0    AJ Page    2012-15

    SMSU HIGH IN THE NSIC STATISTICS: Southwest Minnesota State ranks among the top 10 in several team NSIC statistical categories through 10 weeks. SMSU ranks first in first downs (283), first in total offense (483.8), third in passing offense (299.0), second in third-down conversions (50.6), sixth in scoring (33.3), seventh in rushing (184.8), ninth in scoring defense (26.2).

    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.

    RECORD ON THE ROAD: Southwest Minnesota State finished 5-1 in road games setting a school record for road wins in a season. Prior to this season, the 1991 and 2013 teams held the record of four wins. SMSU, which finished 1-4 in road contests in 2014, is a combined 29-50 in road games since 2000.

    HUOT WITH BIG TIME RUN: Sophomore wide receiver Nate Huot has had an outstanding last four games to lead the SMSU offenses. In his last four games, Huot has caught 34 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns. He has caught at least eight passes in all four games.

    MCREYNOLDS MOVES UP THE CHARTS: Senior cornerback and return man Andrew McReynolds ranks tied for sixth in school history with 10 interceptions following his INT last week at Concordia-St. Paul. He also ranks second in program history with 93 kickoff returns, second in kick return yards with 1,835 and sixth with 44 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.

    GIMBEL "PASSES" WITH FLYING COLORS: Quarterback Blake Gimbel has a 67.3 completion percentage this season which currently ranks first in the school single-season record book. Ryan Ratekin holds the season record of 63.9 percent set during the 2009 season.

    GIMBEL MOVING PAST SOPHOMORE RECORDS: Quarterback Blake Gimbel has broken one, tied one and is close to breaking another school sophomore class passing record 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 has set the new record with 257 completions this season and has tied Loots with 25 touchdown passes. Gimbel has passed 2,868 yards and is just 99 shy of tying Loots' sophomore mark.  

    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 Oct. 3 at Augustana with 332 yards. He reached the mark again versus Sioux Falls with 384 yards on Oct. 17, before recording his first career 400-yard game on Oct. 24 at Upper Iowa with 454 yards, completing a career-high 42 passes. He also passed for 299 yards in a win over MSU Moorhead on Sept. 27. 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 most of the season averaging 185 yards per game which ranks seventh in the NSIC. SMSU has had 45 or more rush attempts in six of 10 games this season, including 50 or more rush attempts in four games. SMSU rushed 45 or more times 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.

    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 solid all season, including a pair of outstanding performances in two victories. 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 14-19 all-time in NSIC South Division games following last week's win at Concordia-St. Paul.

    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 Oct. 26. 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.

    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 RANKED 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.  

    SPECIAL TEAMS LEADERS: Southwest Minnesota State sophomore Wes Bednar ranks first on the team with nine special teams with all nine on kickoff returns.Redshirt freshman Elijah McGeehan and junior Casey Hertz each have eight tackles on special teams. 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.

    GET IN THE "ZONE": Southwest Minnesota State has scored on 37 of its 46 (80.4) possessions inside the "red zone" in 2015 with 34 touchdowns and three field goals. SMSU opponents are 33 of 44 (75.0) inside "red zone" with 26 touchdowns and seven 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    37 of 46 (80.4)    34    3

    BIG PLAY MUSTANGS: SMSU has recorded 69 offensive/defensive plays or kick/punt returns of 20 or more yards in 2015, including 46 by the Mustang offense (10 run, 36 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    69    15    10    36    15    5    3    0    

    THE 2015 ROSTER: The 2014 SMSU roster features 111 players (as of Nov. 10) 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).

    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 two" in turnover margin this season after 10 weeks. In 2014, SMSU finished minus-13 in turnover margin.
    Since the start of the 2004 season (132 games), SMSU has been a "plus" in turnover margin in just 38 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 four times this season). In SMSU's last 109 conference games, which spans from late in the 2004 season through 2015, SMSU is minus-46 in turnover margin. The Mustangs have been "even" or "minus" in turnover margin in 75 of their last 109 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 19-25 all-time at the stadium, including 2-2 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.

    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 186-303-5, including 124-209-5 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 winona state: Tom Sawyer is in his 20th season as head coach at Winona State with an overall record of 156-72. The Warriors are coming off last-second 35-34 home loss to Augustana this past Saturday in which the Vikings scored the go-ahead touchdown and PAT on the last play of the game. Junior quarterback Jack Nelson completed 21 of 33 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted four times. WSU wide receiver senior Josh Mikes caught five passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Alan May had seven catches for 73 yards and one touchdown. For the season, Nelson has completed 231 of 385 passes for 3,143 yards with 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. WSU's leading rusher, junior running back Paul Preston, has rushed for 760 yards on 157 attempts and five touchdowns, while redshirt freshman running back Erick Birth has 278 yards and five touchdowns on 61 carries. Mikes has 47 receptions for a team-high 888 yards and six touchdowns, while May has caught 63 passes for 819 yards and eight touchdowns. The defensive is paced by sophomore linebacker Mike Imperiale with 77 tackles, including nine for loss. Senior linebacker Collin Corcoran missed last week's game, but remains the team-leader with 87 tackles with 11 for loss.