THIS WEEK
•The Southwest Minnesota State University football team (0-3, 0-3 NSIC) continues Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this Saturday, Sept. 28, taking on the University of Minnesota Duluth (2-1, 1-1 NSIC) with kickoff slated for 12 p.m. at James Malosky Stadium in Duluth, Minn.
•SMSU will be looking to earn its first victory of the season and in the process earn just its second win ever in Duluth. SMSU earned its lone victory in Duluth during the 1999 season and currently has lost six straight at Malosky Stadium.
•UMD, which suffered a heartbreaking home loss with time expired two weeks ago to MSU Moorhead, enters the game with the No. 1 ranked rushing defense and the No. 4 ranked total defense in the country. UMD opponents are averaging just 14 rushing yards and 205 total yards per game.
•A preview of UMD is located on page 4.

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. UMD Series Notes
SMSU and UMD meet for the 38th time on Saturday with UMD leading 29-7-1 in a series that began on Oct. 16, 1976 ... SMSU has won only six games on the field of play ... SMSU was awarded a forfeit victory in Duluth during the 1986 season ... UMD leads the series 16-2-1 in games played in Duluth ... SMSU's lone win on the field in Duluth came on Sept. 25, 1999 ... SMSU's last win in the series came in Marshall on Sept. 1, 2016, snapping an eight-game UMD winning streak in the series ... UMD has scored 31 or more points in the past 12 games ... UMD won the last meeting, 33-0, last season in Marshall.

The Last Time - SMSU vs. UMD
UMD, ranked No. 23 nationally, forced four SMSU turnovers to earn a 33-0 victory on Sept. 23, 2023, in Marshall. UMD recorded a pair of interceptions and recovered two fumbles. UMD closed the game with 349 yards of offense and 20 first downs, while SMSU was limited to 158 yards and 11 first downs. The Bulldogs amassed 187 yards on the ground and 162 through the air. Curt Cox booted four fields and made both PATs to help the UMD offense. SMSU's Marcus Martin finished the game completing 12 of 25 passes for 159 yards and two interceptions, while being sacked five times. Donald Austin led the Mustangs with 45 yards rushing on 16 attempts, while Colin Maher caught three passes for 46 yards for the Mustangs.Kyle Walljasper passed for 162 yards and one touchdown, while completing 11 of 22 passes for the Bulldogs. DaShaun Ames was his top target with four receptions for 66 yards. Josiah Hedensten paced the SMSU defense with a game-high 10 tackles with one sack and one pass break-up. Thomas Mergen added nine tackles with two for loss.

SMSU vs. UMD Series Information
Overall:    UMD leads 29-7-1*
In Marshall:    UMD leads 12-5
In Duluth:    UMD leads 16-2-1*
Neutral:    UMD leads 1-0
Last SMSU win:     Sept. 1, 2016 (42-38)
Last UMD win:    Sept. 23, 2023 (33-0)
Largest win for SMSU:    36 (43-7, 1987)
Largest win for UMD:    70 (70-0, 1976)
Longest win streak for SMSU:    2 (1986-87)
Longest win streak for UMD:     10 (1976-85)
Current win streak:    UMD, 3
Underwood vs. UMD:    2-13
Wiese vs. SMSU:    4-1
*includes SMSU forfeit victory in 1986

SMSU HEAD COACH SCOTT UNDERWOOD
•Scott Underwood is in his third season as SMSU head coach with a record of 6-19. 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 an overall record of 86-51 in 12 seasons as head coach at St. Cloud State (2008-19) and is now 92-70 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 18.

SMSU LAST TIME OUT
•Concordia-St. Paul used a strong second to pull away from a four-point halftime advantage to earn a 27-17 victory over Southwest Minnesota State last Saturday afternoon in Marshall.
•CSP, held to 107 yards of offense in the first half, used a strong rushing attack and solid defense to pull away and earn the victory.  
•CSP finished the game with 288 yards of offense and 16 first downs, while SMSU closed the game with 292 yards and 17 first downs.
•SMSU quarterback, Kendon Krogman, making his first career start, completed 19 of 28 pass attempts for 186 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for a team-high 52 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries.
•Tryg Auten and Colin Maher each finished with four receptions to pace the Mustangs.
•Diego Maldonado and Josiah Hedensten, who both finished with seven tackles, led the SMSU defense, which forced one turnover in the setback. Parker Knutson recorded an interception for the second straight game.
•SMSU scored its first points of the game on a 33-yard field goal by Connor Shelton late in the first quarter and later used a 35-yard touchdown pass from Krogman to Auten to give SMSU a 10-7 advantage with 8:57 left in the second quarter.
•CSP would score 20 straight points before SMSU closed the scoring with a Krogman 21-yard touchdown run late in the game.

OPENING DRIVE TIDBITS
•Junior running back Jacob Honstetter has rushed for a team-high 193 yards on 45 carries through three games.
•Junior wide receiver Colin Maher has six receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown.
•Junior wide receiver Jake Anderson has caught six passes for 38 yards, while Tryg Auten has six receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown.
•Auten's 35-yard touchdown reception last week was his first collegiate touchdown.
•Junior linebacker Josiah Hedensten has a team-high 23 tackles with one sack and two forced fumbles. Junior linebacker Gideon Ervasti has 22 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss.
•Senior linebacker Thomas Mergen has also registered 21 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss.
•Redshirt freshman safety Parker Knutson has two interceptions on the season.
•Redshirt freshman Connor Shelton booted his first career field goal, a 33-yarder, in last week's loss.
•For the second straight season, the NSIC will not have a divisional format in football. Each team will play 10 NSIC games with five at home and five on the road.

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

SMSU / UMD IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
•The following is where SMSU and UMD rank in the latest NCAA Division II statistics.
•A full listing of SMSU in the NCAA statistics can be found on pages 16-17.
             (159 teams ranked)     SMSU     UMD
             Scoring Offense    154th     16th
             Rushing Offense    65th      47th
             Passing Offense    146th     11th
             Total Offense    129th     9th
             Scoring Defense    135th     26th
             Rushing Defense    122nd     1st
             Pass Defense    19th     82nd
             Pass Efficiency Defense    126th     31st
             Total Defense    75th     4th
             Net Punting     119th     58th
             Punt Returns     45th     56th
             Kickoff Returns     41st     136th
             Turnover Margin     158th     35th
             Fewest Penalty Yards/Gm.     41st     123rd   
             Time of Possession     99th     50th
             3rd Down Conversions     157th    62nd
             3rd Down Conv. Defense    128th     12th

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 QUARTERBACK 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.
•Redshirt freshman Kendon Krogman started in week three versus Concordia-St. Paul.
•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-8' in turnover margin following three games this season.
•SMSU finished 'minus-10' in turnover margin 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.  

STAY IN THE 'ZONE'
•SMSU is 2 of 7 (33.3) in the red zone this season with two field goals. SMSU has failed to score five times in the red zone registering two interceptions, a fumble, a missed field goal and a turnover on downs.
•SMSU finished 17 of 30 inside the 'red zone' last season with 14 touchdowns and three field goals.
•SMSU opponents are 6 of 8 in the red zone this season with six touchdown.
•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    2 of 7 (28.5)    0    2

LONG PLAYS FOR THE MUSTANGS
•SMSU has recorded 16 offensive/defensive plays or kick/punt returns of 20 or more yards with four coming from the offense (5 run, 3 pass).
•Wyatt Oak's 55-yard touchdown pass to Colin Maher  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    16    3    5    3    5    1    2    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 will play a non-conference game for the second straight season and will host its first non-league game since 2010.  
•SMSU will host Nebraska-Kearney, a member of the MIAA, on Oct. 5. It will be 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 road loss to 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 32-53 all-time at the stadium, including 0-2 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
•SMSU is 10-30 in road games since 2016, following its  last winning road record in a season in 2015 (5-1). SMSU is 0-1 on the road this season.

SMSU VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS
•SMSU is 1-31 all-time versus Division II Top 25 teams, including 0-1 this season.
•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 now 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 209-361-5, including 147-263-5 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 MINNESOTA DULUTH
•Curt Wiese is in his 12th season as head coach (2020 season was canceled) and has a record of 99-24 with five NCAA playoff appearances. He was head coach at Marietta College (Ohio) from 2006-07 prior to becoming an assistant coach at UMD in 2008. He is 108-35 all-time as a head coach.
•UMD is coming off 43-7 road victory last Saturday versus UMary, limiting the Marauders to 92 yards of offense, including minus-8 rushing. UMary's only score was a defensive touchdown in the closing minutes of the game.
•Junior quarterback Kyle Walljasper rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown, while completing 11 of 17 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
•On the season, Walljasper has rushed for a team-leading 216 yards on 38 carries and has completed 50 of 76 for 780 yards with nine touchdowns and zero interceptions.
•Junior wide receiver DaShaun Ames has caught a team-high 12 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns.
•Senior linebacker Andrew Klopp has racked up a team-high 16 tackles with 5.5 for loss.