THIS SATURDAY
•The Southwest Minnesota State University football team (1-3, 1-3 NSIC, 0-1 NSIC South) continues Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference road action this Saturday, Oct. 4, facing nationally-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth (5-0, 4-0 NSIC, 1-0 NSIC North) with kickoff slated for 12 p.m. at Malosky Stadium in Duluth. 
•SMSU is looking to snap a two-game losing skid and earn its second road victory of the season.
•SMSU is also searching for just its second win all-time in Duluth. SMSU earned its lone victory in Duluth during the 1999 season and currently has lost seven straight at Malosky Stadium. (SMSU was awarded a victory via forfeit during the 1986 season).
•SMSU has earned one victory all-time versus a Division II Top 25 team with the lone win coming against UMD on Sept. 1, 2016, in Marshall.  
•UMD is ranked No. 9 in this week's D2football.com Top 25 poll and No. 13 in the AFCA national poll. The Bulldogs have not allowed more than 17 points in a game this season and rank fifth in Division II in scoring defense. 
•A preview of UMD is located on page 4. 

BROADCAST INFO
•Saturday's game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with 13th-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 39th time with UMD leading 30-7-1 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 17-2-1 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 13 games and has shutout SMSU the last two seasons ... UMD won 62-0 a season ago in Duluth.   

The Last Time - SMSU vs. UMD
Minnesota Duluth showed why it has the No. 4 ranked defense in the country limiting Southwest Minnesota State to 78 yards and six first downs in earning a 62-0 victory on Sept. 28, 2024, in Duluth. SMSU quarterback Kendon Krogman played the first half and completed 7 of 19 passes for 58 yards and one interception. Drew Kluender entered the game in the second half and finished 3 of 10 for 15 yards. The UMD defense closed the game with nine sacks. SMSU converted 3 of 19 on third-down and closed 0 for 4 on fourth-down. Jacob Honstetter rushed for a team-high 17 yards on 11 carries and also caught two passes for 28 yards. Tryg Auten caught a team-high three passes for 27 yards. Avery Johnson had a pair of sacks in the first half for the Mustangs, while Josiah Hedensten recorded a team-high eight tackles. UMD scored 20 points in the opening quarter and then added 28 in the second quarter. The Bulldogs finished the victory with a pick-six and also had touchdowns of 66, 64, 53, 61 and 44 yards. UMD finished the game recording 484 yards of offense with 255 on the ground. 
 
SMSU vs. UMD Series Information
Overall:    UMD leads 30-7-1*
In Marshall:    UMD leads 12-5
In Duluth:    UMD leads 17-2-1*
Neutral:    UMD leads 1-0
Last SMSU win:     Sept. 1, 2016 (42-38)
Last UMD win:    Sept. 28, 2024 (62-0)
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, 4
Underwood vs. UMD:    2-14
Wiese vs. SMSU:    5-1
*includes SMSU forfeit victory in 1986

SMSU HEAD COACH SCOTT UNDERWOOD
•Scott Underwood is in his fourth season as head coach with a record of 7-30. 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 93-81 overall in his 16th season 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 19. 

SMSU OPENING DRIVE TIDBITS
•Parker Knutson has five interceptions this season ranking first (1.25) in Division II and is second in passes defended (2.25). He has 10 career interceptions ranking tied for sixth in team history. 
•Mason Carver ranks 66th nationally in punting with a 38.2 yard average. 
•Colin Maher ranks 62nd nationally in receptions per game (4.7) and 91st in receiving yards per game (61.8). 
•Josiah Hedensten ranks tied for eighth in team history with 156 solo tackles and is 14th all-time with 271 total tackles. 
•David Ola-Kazeem caught a career-high three passes for a career-high 29 yards in the loss at Wayne State. 
•SaMaury Alexander recorded a career-high nine tackles in last week's loss at Wayne State. Cam Enright, Brian Martin Jr., and Logan Booth all set career-highs with six tackles each in the setback. 
•Drew Kluender tossed his first career touchdown pass last week at Wayne State. His 15-yard touchdown pass to Zander Wolf was also Wolf's first career touchdown. 
•Colin Maher recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game two weeks ago versus UMary. He caught a career-high eight passes for a career-high 107 yards. He was the first SMSU player to reach 100 yards receiving since the 2022 season. 
•SMSU started a new quarterback in week one for the seventh straight season. Blake Gimbel was the last Mustang to start back-to-back season openers in 2017 and 2018. Steven Nava started week one in 2019, with Andrew Haidet in 2021, followed by Justus McComb in 2022, Marcus Martin in 2023 and Wyatt Oak in 2024. 

RECAPPING WAYNE STATE
•Wayne State used big plays on offense, defense and special teams in building a 44-0 halftime advantage and eventually earning a 51-6 victory over Southwest Minnesota State last Saturday in Wayne, Neb. 
•WSC closed the game with six turnovers, including four interceptions, while recording six sacks. SMSU was charged with nine fumbles in the game with two recovered by the WSC defense.
•The SMSU offense was limited to 58 yards and 16 first downs with the sack total, fumbles and one high snap over the SMSU punter contributing to SMSU finishing with minus-75 yards rushing.
•Macloud Crowton started at quarterback for SMSU and finished the game completing 10 of 27 passes for 90 yards and two interceptions. Drew Kluender came into the game midway through the third quarter and tossed a touchdown pass on his first attempt and closed the game completing 5 of 20 pass attempts for 43 yards and two interceptions.
•David Ola-Kazeem caught three passes for 29 yards to lead the Mustangs, while teammate Colin Maher added three catches for 24 yards.
•SaMaury Alexander had a team-high nine tackles for SMSU with Cam Enright adding six tackles with 1.5 for loss. Brian Martin Jr., Gideon Ervasti and Logan Booth also added six tackles apiece.
•SMSU finished the game 0 for 16 on third-down conversions and 0 for 3 on fourth-down conversation attempts.
•WSC ended the game with 15 first downs and 352 yards of offense, including 143 on the ground and 209 through the air.

SMSU / UMD IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
•The following is where SMSU and UMD ranks in the latest NCAA Division statistics. 
•A full listing of SMSU in the NCAA statistics can be found on pages 16-17. 
             (157 teams ranked)     SMSU     UMD
             Scoring Offense    156th     27th
             Rushing Offense    157th      45th
             Passing Offense    127th     73rd 
             Total Offense    157th     59th 
             Scoring Defense    138th     5th
             Rushing Defense    60th     10th
             Pass Defense    149th     123rd 
             Pass Efficiency Defense    140th     49th 
             Total Defense    126th     35th 
             Net Punting     84th     24th 
             Punt Returns     142nd     104th 
             Kickoff Returns     131st     13th
             Turnover Margin     125th     21st 
             Fewest Penalty Yards/Gm.     21st     1st   
             Time of Possession     99th     15th 
             3rd Down Conversions     153rd    25th
             3rd Down Conv. Defense    100th     18th

THE 2025 SMSU ROSTER
•The SMSU roster (as of Oct. 1) features 18 seniors, 16 juniors, 20 sophomores, 25 redshirt freshmen and 32 freshmen. 

TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2025
•The SMSU football leadership council and team members will select four game captains each week for the 2025 season.

TURNOVER MARGIN BY THE NUMBERS
•SMSU is 'minus-4' in turnover margin following four games.
•SMSU was 'plus-4' in the win at Jamestown on Sept. 13. It was the first time SMSU was 'plus' in turnover margin since the final game of the 2023 season when the team finished 'plus-4' in a victory over Sioux Falls.  
•SMSU is 'minus' in each of its three losses this season. 
•SMSU finished 'minus-16' in turnover margin last season and was not 'plus' in turnover margin in any game.  

LOOKING FOR TIME IN THE 'ZONE'
•SMSU is 4 of 6 (66.7) in the red zone this season with two field goals and two touchdowns. SMSU has two red zone trips stopped with an interception and end of half. 
•SMSU finished 7 of 14 (50.0) in the red zone last season with five touchdowns and two field goals. 
•SMSU opponents are 11 of 14 (78.6) in the red zone this season with 10 touchdowns and one field goal. The SMSU defense has stopped three red zone drives with an interception, a fumble and missed field goal. 
•SMSU opponents finished last season 40 of 48 in the red zone with 29 touchdowns and 11 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    7 of 14 (50.0)    5    2
    2025    4 of 6 (66.7)    2    2

LONG PLAYS FOR THE MUSTANGS
•SMSU has recorded 16 offensive/defensive plays or kick/punt returns of 20 or more yards this season with eight coming from the offense (0 run, 8 pass).
•Macloud Crowton's 42-yard pass to Colin Maher vs. UMary is the longest pass play of the season.
•Jacob Honstetter's 19-yard touchdown run versus UMary is the longest rush from scrimmage. 
•Tryg Auten's 30-yard return versus MSU Moorhead 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    48    6    7    15    18    1    6    1
    2025    16    1    0    8    8    0    0    0

ALL-NSIC HONOREES RETURN IN 2025
•SMSU had a pair of players earn All-NSIC honors in 2024 and both return this fall. 
•Sophomore safety Parker Knutson was named All-NSIC first team in 2024. Knutson started all 11 games and finished the season with a team-high five interceptions, a team-leading 13 pass break-ups and recovered one fumble. He ranked fifth on the squad with 39 tackles including 2.5 for loss. 
•Knutson's five interceptions is the most by a Mustang player since the 2010 season and ties for the fifth highest in program single-season history.
•In the final NSIC statistics (10 league games only), Knutson led the NSIC in passes defended (15) and tied for first in interceptions (5). 
•Senior linebacker Josiah Hedensten earned All-NSIC second team honors for the second straight season. He started all 11 games and led the team in tackles for the second straight season with 83, while ranking first in tackles for loss (10) and finishing second in sacks (3).
•In the final NSIC statistics, Hedensten ranked fifth in total tackles (76) and tied for sixth in tackles for loss (9.5).

MUSTANGS AT HOME
•The 2025 season marks the 17th year that Mattke Field at The Schwan Regional Event Center has served as the home for SMSU football. 
•SMSU is 32-59 all-time at the stadium, including 0-2 this season. SMSU finished 0-6 last 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 11-35 in road games, including 1-1 this season.
•SMSU's last season with a winning road record occurred in 2015 (5-1). 

2025 NSIC PRESEASON POLL
•SMSU was picked to finish 13th overall and seventh in the NSIC South Division in the annual 14-team NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 
•Senior offensive tackle Tyler Nebelung and sophomore safety Parker Knutson were tabbed a 'Player to Watch' in the NSIC for the Mustangs.

SMSU VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS
•SMSU is 1-31 all-time versus Division II Top 25 teams, including 0-1 last 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 22-35 all-time in season openers after losing at home to MSU Moorhead this season. 
•SMSU is now 1-7 in its last eight home openers with the lone victory coming over Concordia-St. Paul in 2022. 

MUSTANG HISTORY
•The 2025 season is the 58th year of college football at SMSU and 57th season of competition (2020 was canceled) dating to 1968.
•SMSU owns an all-time record of 210-372-5, including 148-273-5 in conference play. 
•SMSU has recorded 10 winning seasons with 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 13th season as head coach (2020 season was canceled) and has a record of 109-27 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 118-38 all-time as a head coach. 
•UMD is 2-0 at home including earning a 28-14 victory last Saturday versus MSU Moorhead. The UMD defense recorded three interceptions in the game, including returning one for an 82-yard touchdown.
•Sophomore kicker Drew Henson was named the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week after booting 52 and 40 yard field goals in the victory over MSUM. 
•Senior quarterback Kyle Walljasper has rushed for a team-leading 290 yards on 75 carries and has completed 69 of 100 passes for 921 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. 
•Redshirt freshman wide receiver Luke Dehnicke has caught a team-high 26 passes for 442 yards and two touchdowns. 
•Junior linebacker Ross Rivord has racked up a team-high 19 tackles with 3.5 for loss.