THIS WEEK
•The Southwest Minnesota State University football team (0-7, 0-6 NSIC) continues Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference road action this Saturday traveling to Moorhead, Minn., to take on Minnesota State University Moorhead (3-4, 3-3 NSIC). Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. at SCHEELS Field at Nemzek Stadium.
•This will be SMSU's first game in Moorhead since winning on a Thursday night during the 2017 season and will be its first Saturday game played in Moorhead since 2013.
•SMSU suffered a 41-7 road loss to Northern State last Saturday night, while MSUM rallied for a 34-31 road victory over Concordia-St. Paul. The Dragons scored the game-winning touchdown with 12 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. It's the second time MSUM has won with a touchdown pass in the closing seconds of a road game. On Sept. 14, MSUM scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion with zero seconds remaining to defeat Minnesota Duluth.
•MSU Moorhead enters the game with the third ranked passing offense in Division II, but the worst rushing offense (23.9) in the country. The Dragons' Jack Strand ranks first in Division II in pass completions per game (34.4) and third in passing yards (2,405).

BROADCAST INFO
•Saturday's game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with 12th-year SMSU play-by-play voice Ryan Rohlik.
•Live stats, radio broadcast and video can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

SMSU vs. MSUM Series Notes
Southwest Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead meet for the 50th time on Saturday with MSUM leading 30-19 ... the first meeting was on Oct. 24, 1970 ... MSUM has won the last three meetings, including earning a 34-17 victory in Marshall last season ... prior to MSUM's current three-game win streak, SMSU had racked up a seven-game winning streak from 2008-17 ... Saturday's game will be SMSU's first in Moorhead since SMSU earned a 51-35 victory on Sept. 7, 2017 ... MSUM leads the series 15-6 in games played in Moorhead, but SMSU has won the last three games in Moorhead ... MSUM's last win at home in the series came in 2005 ... MSUM won the first 16 meetings in the series from 1970 to 1985, before SMSU earned its first victory on Oct. 4, 1986 ... since 1986, SMSU leads the series 19-14.      
 
The Last Time - SMSU vs. MSUM
In a game that featured 10 turnovers and seven quarterback sacks it was MSU Moorhead that made enough plays to pull away and earn a 34-17 victory over SMSU on Oct. 21, 2023. MSUM forced six turnovers, including two on special teams. MSUM's Jack Strand completed 36 of 51 pass attempts for 349 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted three times and was sacked a season-high five times. The Mustang defense was led by Avery Johnson, who registered six tackles, which included four for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble. MSUM closed the game with 406 yards of offense with 24 first downs, while SMSU ended the game with 294 yards and 18 first downs. SMSU's Marcus Martin completed 24 of 39 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown with three interception. MSUM's Gage Florence caught a game-high 15 passes for 119 yards.

SMSU vs. MSUM Series Information
Overall:     MSUM leads 30-19
In Marshall:    MSUM leads 13-12
In Moorhead:    MSUM leads 15-6
Neutral:     MSUM leads 2-1
Last SMSU win:    Sept. 7, 2017 (51-35)
Last MSUM win:     Oct. 21, 2023 (34-17)
Largest win for SMSU:    42 (52-10, 2009)
Largest win for MSUM:    44 (51-7, 1977)
Longest win streak for SMSU:    7 (2008-17)
Longest win streak for MSUM:    16 (1970-1985)
Current win streak:    MSUM, 3
Underwood vs. MSUM:    10-3
Laqua vs. SMSU:     3-4

SMSU HEAD COACH SCOTT UNDERWOOD
•Scott Underwood is in his third season as SMSU head coach with a record of 6-23. He was named the program's 11th head coach on Jan. 7, 2022.
•Underwood was the first SMSU head coach in team history (11 head coaches) to begin his SMSU coaching career with a 4-1 record. SMSU's four victories in 2022 was its highest victory total since 2018.
•Underwood compiled a record of 86-51 in 12 seasons as head coach at St. Cloud State (2008-19) and is now 92-74 overall in 15 seasons as a head coach.
•SCSU recorded 10 winning seasons with three NCAA playoff appearances during his tenure. SCSU won seven or more games seven times, including a school record 12 victories in 2013.
•SCSU 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.
•He was also an assistant coach at SCSU (2001-07), North Dakota (1997-2000), Sioux Falls (1993-96) and Augustana (1988-92).
•A complete bio on Underwood can be found on page 20.

SMSU LAST TIME OUT
•Northern State used a dominate first half in building a 31-0 halftime advantage and went on to earn a 41-7 victory over SMSU last Saturday night in Aberdeen, S.D.
•NSU closed the game with 457 yards of offense, including 277 on the ground, while collecting 20 first downs.
•SMSU recorded 11 first downs and finished with 238 yards of offense with 143 on the ground.
•Wyatt Oak started at quarterback for SMSU and completed 8 of 17 passes for 86 yards before leaving with an injury late in the third quarter. Kendon Krogman came on in relief and used a career-high 49-yard rush in the fourth quarter to pace the squad with a team-high 59 yards rushing on six attempts.
•DaNari Connors rushed for 45 yards and scored his first career touchdown on seven carries, while Jacob Honstetter added 39 yards on 12 carries.
•Josiah Hedensten racked-up a team-high 10 tackles for the Mustangs. Tate Gaul, Maliek Igiehon and Ervasti each added five tackles.
•Mason Carver booted a career-long 70-yard punt in the setback.

OPENING DRIVE TIDBITS
•Redshirt freshman safety Parker Knutson ranks second in the country in passes defended with 1.9 per game and leads SMSU with three interceptions.
•SMSU ranks 16th in Division II in fewest penalty yards per game (44.8).
•Senior punt returner / cornerback Marquise Ogletree begins the week ranked 29th in Division II in punt return yardage (8.0).  
•Sophomore punter Mason Carver booted a career-long 70-yard punt in last wee's game at Northern State. He recorded three punts of 56 or more yards two weeks versus Wayne State with a pair of 56-yard punts downed at the 1-yard line. Carver had two punts of 50-plus yards three weeks ago versus Nebraska Kearney, including a 60-yarder.   
•Junior running back Jacob Honstetter has rushed for a team-high 266 yards on 84 carries this season.
•Junior wide receiver Colin Maher, who missed the UMD game with an injury, has 11 receptions for 172 yards and two touchdown.
•Redshirt freshman Tryg Auten, who missed the Northern State game with an injury, has 11 receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown.
•Junior wide receiver Jake Anderson has caught 10 passes for 54 yards
•Junior linebacker Josiah Hedensten has a team-high 57 tackles with two sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He ranks 44th in Division II in tackles per game (8.1).
•Junior linebacker Gideon Ervasti has 42 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss.
•Senior linebacker Thomas Mergen has registered 38 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss.
•Junior defensive end Avery Johnson leads the club with 4.5 sacks.

THE 2024 SMSU ROSTER
•The SMSU roster (as of Oct. 22) features 10 seniors, 25 juniors, 10 sophomores, 24 redshirt freshmen and 35 freshmen.

SMSU / MSUM IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
•The following is where SMSU and MSUM rank in the latest NCAA Division II statistics.
•A full listing of SMSU in the NCAA statistics can be found on pages 17-18.
             (159 teams ranked)     SMSU     MSUM
             Scoring Offense    159th     95th
             Rushing Offense    138th      159th
             Passing Offense    154th     3rd
             Total Offense    159th     61st
             Scoring Defense    151st     121st
             Rushing Defense    144th     136th
             Pass Defense    64th     129th
             Pass Efficiency Defense    149th     132nd
             Total Defense    123rd     143rd
             Net Punting     75th     104th
             Punt Returns     81st     152nd
             Kickoff Returns     61st     107th
             Turnover Margin     156th     113th
             Fewest Penalty Yards/Gm.     16th     4th   
             Time of Possession     140th     149th
             3rd Down Conversions     159th    65th
             3rd Down Conv. Defense    133rd     92nd

TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2024
•Four players serve as team captains for the 2024 season with senior Thomas Mergen and juniors Avery Johnson, Colin Maher and Tyler Nebelung selected by the Mustang players.

NEW QUARTERBACKS IN 2024
•With sophomore Wyatt Oak starting at quarterback in the season opener, it marked the sixth straight season SMSU had a different quarterback starting week one.
•Oak has started three games this season with redshirt freshman Kendon Krogman also starting three games, while true freshman Drew Kluender started versus Nebraska Kearney.
•Blake Gimbel was the last Mustang to start back-to-back season openers in 2017 and 2018.
•Steven Nava started the season in 2019, with Andrew Haidet in 2021, followed by Justus McComb in 2022 and Marcus Martin in 2023.

TURNOVERS MARGIN BY THE NUMBERS
•SMSU is 'minus-11' in turnover margin this season.
•SMSU finished 'minus-10' in turnover margin all of last season and was 'minus' in turnover margin in nine of 11 games.
•SMSU forced a turnover in five of 11 games in 2023 and twice (vs. MSU Moorhead and Sioux Falls) forced four turnovers.  

LOOKING FOR TIME IN THE 'ZONE'
•SMSU is 4 of 10 (40.0) in the red zone this season with two touchdown and two field goals. SMSU has failed to score six times in the red zone registering two interceptions, two fumbles, a missed field goal and a turnover on downs.
•SMSU closed the 2023 season 17 of 30 inside the 'red zone' with 14 touchdowns and three field goals.
•SMSU opponents are 21 of 25 in the red zone this season with 18 touchdowns and three field goals.
•The following is SMSU in the 'red zone' since the 2010 season.
    Year    Red-Zone    TD    FG
    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    39 of 50 (78.0)    36    3
    2016    38 of 45 (84.4)    37    1
    2017    24 of 37 (64.9)    18    6
    2018    28 of 37 (75.7)    23    5
    2019     22 of 29 (75.9)    19    3
    2021    20 of 29 (69.0)    16    4
    2022    20 of 33 (60.6)    17    3
    2023    17 of 30 (56.6)    14    3
    2024    4 of 10 (40.0)    2    2

LONG PLAYS FOR THE MUSTANGS
•SMSU has recorded 32 offensive/defensive plays or kick/punt returns of 20 or more yards with 14 coming from the offense (7 run, 7 pass).
•Wyatt Oak's 55-yard touchdown pass to Colin Maher  in week one versus Minot State is the longest pass play this season.
•Jacob Honstetter's 55-yard run versus Minot State is the longest rush from scrimmage this season.
•Tryg Auten's 52-yard return versus Concordia-St. Paul is the team's longest kick return this season.
•The following are SMSU's 'long plays' since 2010.
'Long' plays (20 yards or more) since 2010
    Year    No.    TD    Run    Pass    KR    PR    IR    FR
    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    78    18    13    39    18    5    3    0
    2016    93    21    15    40    33    1    3    1
    2017    68    10    12    28    25    1    1    1
    2018    70    15    8    51    7    2    2    0
    2019    56    12    4    37    12    1    2    0
    2021    42    6    8    18    10    1    2    3
    2022    51    14    14    23    13    0    1    0
    2023    50    9    8    29    11    1    1    0
    2024    32    3    7    7    14    1    3    0

MUSTANGS WITH FIRST NON-LEAGUE HOME GAME
•With the departure of Upper Iowa University to the Great Lakes Valley Conference following the 2022 season, SMSU played a non-conference game for the second straight season and hosted its first non-league game since 2010.  
•SMSU's game versus Nebraska-Kearney in week five, a member of the MIAA, was SMSU's first home non-conference game since facing Northern State in 2010.
•In last season's lone non-league game, SMSU suffered a 16-15 loss at FCS foe, Valparaiso.

2024 NSIC PRESEASON POLL
•SMSU was picked to finish 11th overall in the annual 13-team NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
•Junior offensive tackle Tyler Nebelung and junior linebacker Josiah Hedensten were named 'Players to Watch'.

MUSTANGS AT HOME
•The 2024 season marks the 16th year that Mattke Field at The Schwan Regional Event Center has served as the home for SMSU football.
•SMSU is 32-55 all-time at the stadium, including 0-4 this season.
•New turf was installed at the stadium in the summer of 2022.
•The $16 million facility opened in the fall of 2008 with the first college football game played on Aug. 30 versus Minnesota Crookston.  

MUSTANGS ON THE ROAD
•Since the 2016 season, SMSU is 10-32 in road games, including 0-3 this season.
•SMSU's last season with a winning road record occurred in 2015 (5-1).

SMSU VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS
•SMSU is 1-31 all-time versus Division II Top 25 teams, including 0-1 this season after losing at Bemidji State.
•SMSU's lone victory versus a ranked team came in the 2016 season opener versus No. 19 Minnesota Duluth (42-38) in Marshall.

WORKING OVERTIME
•SMSU is 5-8 all-time in overtime games since the NCAA added overtime in 1998.
•SMSU's last overtime game occurred on Sept. 24, 2022, with a 27-20 home victory over Minot State.
•SMSU is 1-3 in multi-overtime contests.
•The program's last multi-overtime game was a 34-31 double overtime loss at Minnesota State on Oct. 13, 2012.

SEASON & HOME OPENER INFORMATION
•SMSU is 23-32 all-time in season openers after losing at home to Minot State this season. SMSU is 1-6 in its last seven home openers with the lone victory coming over Concordia-St. Paul in 2022.

MUSTANG HISTORY
•The 2024 season is the 56th year of college football at SMSU (including the 2020 season that was canceled) dating to 1968.
•SMSU owns an all-time record of 209-365-5, including 147-266-5 in conference play.
•SMSU has recorded 10 winning seasons, two NAIA playoff appearances (1987 and 1991) and one Mineral Water Bowl appearance (2013).
•The program earned its lone conference championship in 1990.

SCOUTING MSU MOORHEAD
•Steve Laqua, the 2018 NSIC Coach of the Year, is in his 14th season (2020 canceled) as head coach with a record of 62-78.
•MSUM rallied from a 21-7 deficit late in the third quarter to defeat Concordia-St. Paul last Saturday, 34-31.
•MSUM junior quarterback Jack Strand completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Brady Perryman for the game-winning touchdown with 12 seconds remaining.  
•Strand, this week's NSIC Offensive Player of the Week, completed 35 of 55 passes for 357 yards and five touchdowns in the victory. For the season, Stand has completed 244 of 402 passes for 2,405 yards and 19 touchdowns with nine interceptions.
•Perryman has a team-leading eight touchdown receptions.
•Junior wide receiver Gage Florence has caught a team-high 60 passes for a team-high 578 yards. His 8.6 receptions per game ranks first in Division II.
•Redshirt freshman running back Fynn Ridgeway has rushed for 109 yards on 36 carries to lead the Dragons.
•Sophomore defensive back Gavin Jarchow leads the club with 58 tackles, including 32 solo stops.
•Senior linebacker Josiah Behm has a team-leading 6.5 tackles for loss.