MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University football program begins a new era on Sunday, Aug. 7, as the team reports for fall camp in preparation of its 54
th season of college football. SMSU will hold its first on-field practice on Monday, Aug. 8.
Scott Underwood begins his first season as head coach after spending 12 seasons (2008-19) as head coach at St. Cloud State University. Named the 11
th head coach in SMSU history on Jan. 7, Underwood compiled a record of 86-51 at SCSU, before the program was eliminated following the 2019 season. His teams had 10 winning seasons and won seven or more games seven times, including a school record 12 victories in 2013. The Huskies made NCAA playoff appearances in 2010, 2011 and 2013 and won a share of both the NSIC North Division and NSIC overall championship in 2011.
SMSU will look to rebound this fall following a 2-9 season in 2021. The Mustangs have 34 returning letter winners, including six starters on offense, three starters on defense and its punter/kicker. The team will practice daily at various times the first two weeks of camp before practicing regularly at 3:15 p.m. once classes begin on Monday, Aug. 22.
The SMSU offense returns it leading rusher and leading receiver from last season. Senior running back
Jesse Sherwood ran for 787 yards and a team-high six touchdowns, while senior wide receiver
Zeke Robinson led the team in receptions (24), receiving yards (276) and touchdowns (3).
SMSU will have several candidates competing for playing time at quarterback. A pair of redshirt freshmen,
Justus McComb and
Jeremiah Collier, enter their second season in the program, while sophomore,
John Romero, also returns.
Zac Krause, a transfer from Northwestern University, along with three true freshmen round out the quarterbacks on the roster.
The SMSU offensive line returns three starters with senior center
Khalif Spry, senior right guard
Dylan Lauer and junior right tackle
Bradley Gould.
Senior linebacker
Onte Burns, a two-time first team All-NSIC South honoree and 2019 third team All-American will lead the SMSU defense. He is a three-year starter and has led the NSIC in tackles the past two seasons with a combined 214 stops. Senior defensive back
Alan Giron made three starts a season ago, registering 21 tackles, one sack, and recovered one fumble. Sophomore defensive linemen
Avery Johnson started seven of 10 games last season, closing with 15 tackles, including 2.5 for loss.
Sophomore kicker/punter
Carter Dicker returns after recording a 41.4-yard punt average that ranked second in the league a season ago. He also made 18 of 21 PATs and connected on 4 of 5 field goal attempts.
SMSU opens the 2022 season on Thursday, Sept. 1, at Minnesota Duluth. The home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, for the annual Ag Bowl versus Concordia-St. Paul with kickoff slated for 5 p.m.
