THIS WEEK: Southwest Minnesota State University (3-0, 0-0 NSIC South) returns home this Saturday, Sept. 26, to face unbeaten Minnesota State Moorhead (3-0, 0-0 NSIC North) in a homecoming showdown at Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. between two of the last five unbeaten teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
    SMSU is 3-0 for the first time since 1991, while MSUM is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1987. MSUM has won six straight games dating back to last season. SMSU and MSUM are two of 38 unbeaten teams remaining in Division II this season. A preview on MSU Moorhead is located on page 4.

    A VICTORY FOR SMSU ON SATURDAY WOULD...:
    •Give SMSU its first 4-0 start since the 1991 team started 9-0.
    •Be its sixth straight win over MSUM since 2008.
    •Be its eighth straight win over MSUM in Marshall since 1998.
    •Move head coach Cory Sauter within one victory of second place in career victories at SMSU.
    •Lift SMSU's all-time record to 183-300-5, including 121-206-5 in conference play.

    SMSU IN DIVISION PLAY: Since the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference adopted two divisions in 2011, SMSU has an all-time record of 9-10 versus NSIC North Division teams. SMSU is a combined 11-16 in NSIC South Division games.

    POUNDIN' THE ROCK: Southwest Minnesota State has been able to establish its running game through three games this season, averaging 206 yards per game ranking fourth in the NSIC. SMSU has had 45 or more rush attempts in each game this season, including 54 and 56 the past two weeks respectively. SMSU rushed 45 times or more in a game just three times all of 2014. SMSU had 45 or more rush attempts six times during the 2013 season in which the team played in the Mineral Water Bowl.

    MONEY RUSHERS: Junior Ashanti Payne has put up solid numbers rushing the ball through three games, averaging 5.2 yards per carry on 56 attempts for 294 yards. More impressive has been Payne's ability to "keep the chains" moving when he carries the ball. Of his 56 carries this season, 19 have resulted in either a first down or a touchdown, to lead the team. Eight of his 10 carries on third down have resulted in a first down. A complete list of "money" plays is found on page 16.

    MUSTANGS AMONG THE TOP IN RUSHING: Senior Davontay Stevens leads the NSIC in rushing through three weeks with 114 yards per game on a league-high 78 attempts. Junior Ashanti Payne ranks fourth in the conference in rushing with 98 yards per game.

    TY RANKS HIGH: Junior wide receiver Ty Steffensen leads the team with 19 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown. He has led the team in receptions in all three games this season and had a critical third-down reception during SMSU's final drive to seal the victory at St. Cloud State last week. His 6.3 receptions per game rank seventh in the NSIC and 45th in Division II.

    THE HEAD COACH: Southwest Minnesota State head coach Cory Sauter is in his sixth season in 2015 and has an overall record of 24-35, including 23-33 in conference games. The 24 victories ranks third among 10 all-time head coaches in program history. He needs two more wins to tie Eric Eidsness (2004-09) for second on the list with 26 coaching 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:
    •SMSU ranks 13th in Division II in third-down conversions at 53 percent (30 of 57).
    •MSUM brings a high-powered offensive attack into Saturday's game. MSUM ranks fourth in Division II in passing efficiency, 11th in passing yards per completion, 16th in passing offense and has yet to throw an interception in three games.
    •Junior running back Ashanti Payne rushed for a career-high 153 yards and one touchdown in week two versus Bemidji State. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in his last two games after finishing with 106 last week at St. Cloud State.
    •Junior tight end Davion Shelton had his first career touchdown reception last week with a 22-yard first quarter score versus St. Cloud State.
    •SMSU blocked a St. Cloud State punt last week setting up a first quarter score. It's the first blocked punt by SMSU since Sept. 13, 2014.
    •SMSU's 500 yards of offense in week two versus Bemidji State was its highest total since racking up 521 versus Wayne State on Oct. 25, 2014.
    •Junior wide receiver Ty Steffensen set career-highs in both receptions (8) and yards (76) in week two versus Bemidji State.
    •Senior running back Davontay Stevens' 164 yards rushing in week one at Minot State was a career-high.
    •SMSU was a "plus-1" in turnover margin in the season opening win at Minot State and has been even the last two weeks. 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 21 of its last 38 games dating back to the final game of the 2011 season.

    BEST START SINCE 1991: This season's 3-0 start is the program's best since the 1991 team won its first nine games. It's also just the fourth time a Mustang team has started a season 3-0, joining the 1969, 1981 and 1991 squads. It's only the third time in program history (1990 & 1991) that an SMSU team has started conference play with a 3-0 record.

    LAST WEEK RECAP VS. ST. CLOUD STATE: SMSU pulled off one of its biggest victories in program history last Saturday earning a 21-20 road victory over St. Cloud State at Husky Stadium. The win moves SMSU to 3-0 on the season—earning the program its first 3-0 start since 1991—while the victory was its first over SCSU since Oct. 24, 1981. SMSU has earned its three victories this season by a combined six points.
     SMSU held a 21-7 lead into the fourth quarter before SCSU rallied with a pair of touchdowns, including a score with three minutes of 25 seconds left in the game to make the score 21-20. SCSU would miss the ensuing PAT to keep SMSU with a one-point lead.
     Leading by a point and starting at its own 14-yard line, SMSU picked up a pair of third-down conversions to secure the victory. The first conversion came on third-and-five from the 19-yard line with Blake Gimbel completing a 7-yard pass to Ty Steffensen. Two plays later and facing third-and-five, Ashanti Payne ripped off a game-clinching 25-yard first down run and SMSU was able to run out the clock.
     Payne led a strong SMSU rushing attack with a game-high 106 yards on 21 carries, while Davontay Stevens recorded 80 yards and one touchdown on 26 attempts.
     Gimbel completed 16 of 24 pass attempts for 182 yards and one touchdown, while Steffensen was the top SMSU target during the game with five catches for 52 yards. Stevens also caught three passes for a career-high 51 yards.
     SMSU finished the game grinding out 346 yards of offense and 21 first downs while running 80 plays. The Mustangs finished the game 12 for 22 on third-down conversions.
     SCSU was just 4 of 10 on third down and was limited to 132 yards rushing. SCSU had 376 yards of offense on 58 plays.

    SMSU ALL-TIME ON SEPT. 26: Southwest Minnesota State is 2-4 all-time when playing on Sept. 26. SMSU lost in 1970 and 1981 before winning in both 1987 and 1992. SMSU also lost on Sept. 26 in both 1998 and 2009.

    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 pair of fumbles and recovered a fumble in SMSU's 34-30 win over BSU.

    PAYNE WITH CAREER DAY: Junior Ashanti Payne rushed for a career-high 153 yards and one touchdown on a career-high 23 carries in SMSU's 34-30 win over Bemidji State in week two. Payne also caught three passes for 10 yards.

    STEVENS IN THE STARTING ROLL: Senior running back Davontay Stevens made his second career start at tailback in the opener at Minot State. Stevens had a big game, rushing for a career-high 164 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries. Stevens replaces two-year starter Tyler Tonderum, who led the team in rushing in both 2013 and 2014. Last season, Stevens rushed for 483 yards on just 76 carries, for an average of 6.4 per rush. He had one 100-yard rushing game and two other games where he rushed for more than 90 yards.

    NEWCOMERS PLAY ROLE EARLY IN SEASON: As is the case early in every season, SMSU had several newcomers make big impacts in week one. A total of 17 players saw their first-ever game action for SMSU in the win over Minot State in week one.

    WELCOME BACK IN A BIG WAY: Junior safety Caleb Leichtnam has played a big role in his first three games for the Mustangs this season. After not playing football in 2014 and redshirting at Iowa State University in 2013, Leichtnam recorded a team-high 12 tackles and ended Minot State's final drive with a fourth quarter interception to key the SMSU victory in the opener. He has led the team in tackles all three games this season.

    THREE TRUE FRESHMAN PLAY: Southwest Minnesota State played five true freshman in the season opener at Minot State. Fullback Dalton Jones, linebacker Aley Ney, defensive lineman Jon Dicke, defensive lineman Webb Bolstad and defensive back Peyton Sanders all played for the Mustangs. Jones caught two passes for 11 yards, including a key third-down conversion reception in the fourth quarter, while Ney had three tackles.

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

    HUOT BREAKS OUT IN 2014: Sophomore wide receiver led SMSU in receptions (52), yards (649) and touchdowns (9) last season and became the first Mustang freshman to lead the team in receptions since 1994. Huot had a pair of 100-yard receiving games last season and caught two touchdown passes in three different games. He had a career-high 10 receptions versus Wayne State.



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

    MCREYNOLDS MOVES INTO TOP 10: Senior cornerback and return man Andrew McReynolds ranks tied for ninth in school history with eight interceptions following his INT in week two versus Bemidji State. He also ranks second in program history with 79 kickoff returns and tied for eighth with 33 punt returns.

    PAGE IN THE RECORD BOOK: Southwest Minnesota State senior defensive end AJ Page ranks among the top 10 in a pair of defensive categories. He ranks fifth all-time in tackles for loss with 39.5 and tied for eighth in sacks with 17. Page's 17 tackles for loss in 2013 ranks fourth on the SMSU single-season list.
    SMSU Career Tackles for Loss
    58.0    Jason Jacobs    1996-99
    54.0    Dan Lee    1978-81
    40.0    Nate Rudolph    1996-99
    39.5    AJ Page    2012-15

    SPECIAL TEAMS LEADERS: Junior Esten Weber leads the team with four special teams tackles in three weeks, with all four coming on kickoffs. Junior Casey Hertz led SMSU with 14 special teams tackles last season with 11 coming on kickoff returns and two on punt return. In 2013, Hertz ranked second on the team with 11 special teams tackles.

    GET IN THE "ZONE": Southwest Minnesota State has scored on 11 of its 13 (84.6) possessions inside the "red zone" in 2015 with 10 touchdowns and one field goal. SMSU opponents are seven of 10 (70.0) inside "red zone" with seven touchdowns. 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    11 of 13 (84.6)    10    1

    BIG PLAY MUSTANGS: SMSU has recorded 16 offensive/defensive plays or kick/punt returns of 20 or more yards in 2015, including nine by the Mustang offense (2 run, 7 pass). In 2013, SMSU racked up 125 "long plays" which ranked as the most for an SMSU team since the statistic started being kept in 2001. 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 2004
    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    16    1    2    7    5    2    0    0    

    THE 2014 SEASON: The Southwest Minnesota State University football team finished the 2014 season with a record of 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the NSIC South Division. SMSU finished tied for 13th overall and tied for sixth in the South Division.

    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.

    PUNT RETURN RECORD SET: Senior punt returner Andrew McReynolds set an SMSU record last season with an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown in week four versus Northern State. The return broke the previous record of 80 yards set by Blake Wilson in 2009. The 89-yard play is the longest by an SMSU player this season.    

    DEFENSE SCORING TOUCHDOWNS: The SMSU defense scored a pair of touchdowns last season with Casey Hertz recording a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown versus Minnesota Crookston and Daryl Thomas with a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown at Minnesota State.



    THE 2015 ROSTER: The 2014 SMSU roster features 111 players (as of Sept. 21) 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-1 in turnover margin this season after three weeks. In 2014, SMSU finished minus-13 in turnover margin.
    Since the start of the 2004 season (125 games), SMSU has been a "plus" in turnover margin in just 35 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 once this season). In SMSU's last 102 conference games, which spans from late in the 2004 season through 2015, SMSU is minus-47 in turnover margin. The Mustangs have been "even" or "minus" in turnover margin in 71 of their last 102 conference games.

    MUSTANGS AT HOME: The 2015 season marks the eighth year for SMSU football at Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center. SMSU is 18-23 all-time at the stadium following the 2015 home opener victory over Bemidji State. 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 2-0 this season in road games after finishing 1-4 in road games last season. SMSU finished with a 4-1 record in road games in 2013. SMSU is a combined 26-49 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 182-300-5, including 120-206-5 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.

    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.

    ABOUT MSU MOORHEAD: Steve Laqua is in his fifth season as head coach at MSU Moorhead with a record of 14-33. After going a combined 3-19 his first two seasons, MSUM has recorded back-to-back 4-7 seasons in 2013 and 2014. Prior to MSUM, he was the head coach at Fargo Shanley High School for four seasons. He was also an assistant coach at North Dakota State, Minnesota Crookston and St. Olaf.
    The 2015 Dragons have opened with three victories for the first time since 1987, defeating Winona State, Concordia-St. Paul and Augustana. In last week's 35-34 home win over Augustana, sophomore backup quarterback Demetrius Carr completed 25 of 29 passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns, while also running for 32 yards on 16 attempts. Carr was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for his efforts. Carr completed four or more passes to four different receivers in the game, including the game-winning 24-yard touchdown strike to senior wide out Adam Jiskra with 1:20 left in the game to give the Dragons a 35-32 lead. MSUM finished the game with 521 yards of offense, but only 75 yards rushing on 35 attempts. Carr replaced injured starter senior Jake Hodge, who started the first two games, and was 35 of 61 passing for 547 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior running back Zayne Medhaug leads the team in rushing through three games with 192 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries. Jiskra has a team-leading 17 receptions for 241 yards and five touchdowns. Redshirt freshman defensive back Michael Strand paces the MSUM defense with a team-high 24 tackles and two sacks, while junior linebacker Aaron Bohl has 24 tackles and one interception. Strand had two interceptions last week and was named NSIC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
 
    UP NEXT: Southwest Minnesota State will play its next two games on the road. SMSU will face Augustana next Saturday, Oct. 3, in Sioux Falls, S.D., starting at 1 p.m., before playing at Wayne State on Oct. 10.