BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University football team was selected 11^th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason coaches' poll released on Tuesday.
 
SMSU, which reports for fall camp under third-year head coach, Scott Underwood, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, followed by its first practice on Wednesday, Aug. 14, finished 2-9 overall last season, including 2-8 in the NSIC.
 
"I am optimistically excited about the mixture of youthfulness and seasoned NSIC players on our roster," Underwood said. "I look forward to seeing the progress from our players via their hard work and off season dedication to improving their skills. We look to build off the competitive shortcomings from our 2023 season and play with confident consistency in all phases."
 
The league coaches selected the University of Minnesota Duluth as the preseason favorite in the NSIC. The Bulldogs received eight first place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) and amassed 134 points, 10 points ahead of the defending champions of Augustana, which was second with 124 points and three first place votes. Minnesota State was third with 120 points, while Wayne State was fourth with 116 points and Bemidji State was fifth with 112 points; both MSU and BSU garnered a first place vote. 

MSU Moorhead finished sixth with 88 points, with Winona State in seventh with 75 points and Sioux Falls closing in eighth earning 62 points. Northern State recorded 57 points to rank ninth, followed by Concordia-St. Paul (40), SMSU (34), Minot State (31) and UMary (21) rounding out the poll.
 
For the second straight season, the NSIC will consist of each team playing 10 conference games over a 12-week schedule. SMSU will host Nebraska-Kearney for its lone non-conference games on Oct. 5.

MSU Moorhead junior quarterback Jack Strand earned NSIC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, with Bemidji State junior defensive end Marcus Hansen earned NSIC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
 
SMSU junior offensive tackle Tyler Nebelung (Ramsey, Minn.) and junior linebacker Josiah Hedensten (Faribault, Minn.) were tabbed a 'Player to Watch' in the NSIC for the Mustangs.
 
Nebelung, a 2024 team captain, has played in every game the past two seasons, including starting all 11 a year ago. He has helped an offensive line produce the fourth leading rusher in the NSIC in 2023 and the second leading rusher in the league in 2022.

"Tyler has played in many NSIC games and has been a proven competitor, leader and captain for our football program," Underwood said. "Each year Tyler has improved his technique and skills through his hard work in the off season and we will look to him as a consistent cog for our offense."
 
Hedensten started all 11 games last season and led SMSU with 88 tackles, while ranking second in both tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (3). In the final NSIC statistics, Hedensten was fourth in total tackles (80), while in the final regular season NCAA statistics, he ranked 43rd in total tackles (8.1) and 86th in solo tackles (4.3).
 
"Josiah is a fierce competitor and defensive utility player for our Mustang defense," Underwood said. "Chosen as a second team All-NSIC player in 2023 we rely on his skills as a pass rusher and athleticism as a pass defender in our defense. A result based player that plays with a high motor and leads with a quiet and relentless demeanor."
 
The Mustangs open the regular season on Saturday, Sept. 7, hosting Minot State for the annual Ag Bowl-Presented by Ralco, with kickoff slated for 5 p.m.