THIS WEEK
•The Southwest Minnesota State University football program (0-0, 0-0 NSIC) opens its 57th season on Saturday night hosting Minnesota State University Moorhead (1-0, 0-0 NSIC) for the annual Ag Bowl with kickoff slated for 5 p.m. at Mattke Field at The Schwan Regional Event Center.
•Saturday's opener marks the fourth season for SMSU head coach Scott Underwood. Underwood, the 11th head coach in program history, was named to the position on Jan. 7, 2022. 
•SMSU, which went winless in 11 games a season ago, is searching for its first win since defeating Sioux Falls on Nov. 11 in the last game of the 2023 season.
•The Mustangs return seven starters on offense, seven starters on defense and its punter/kicker from the 2024 team. This season's team features 18 seniors, 16 juniors, 20 sophomores, 26 redshirt freshmen and 32 freshmen. . 
•MSU Moorhead, which finished 6-5 overall, 6-4 NSIC, last season, was picked to finish seventh overall and third in the NSIC North Division in 2025. The Dragons opened the season last Thursday with a come from behind 44-37 road victory over Northern Michigan. MSUM trailed 21-0 in the second quarter and 27-15 at halftime before outscoring NMU 29-10 in the second half. MSUM All-American quarterback Jack Strand tied a school record with six touchdown passes completing 35 of 48 pass attempts. Wide receiver Gage Florence caught 17 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns. MSUM's Mitchell Jezierski was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday after recording a career-high 18 tackles and two forced fumbles. The 18 tackles are the highest by a Dragon player since 2011. 
•A preview of MSUM 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.

SEASON & HOME OPENER INFORMATION
•SMSU is 22-34 all-time in season openers after losing at home to Minot State in 2024. 
•SMSU is 1-6 in its last seven home openers with the lone victory coming over Concordia-St. Paul in 2022. 

SMSU vs. MSUM Series Notes
Southwest Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead meet for the 51st time with MSUM leading 31-19 ... the first meeting was on Oct. 24, 1970 ... MSUM has won the last four meetings, including earning a 38-6 victory in Moorhead last season ... prior to MSUM's current four-game win streak, SMSU had racked up a seven-game winning streak from 2008-17 ... MSUM leads the series 13-12 in games played in Marshall and has won the last three games played at The Schwan Regional Event Center (2019, 2021 and 2023) ... 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 19-15.         

The Last Time - SMSU vs. MSUM
MSU Moorhead used three touchdown passes from Jack Strand, while the Dragon defense forced three turnovers and recorded nine sacks in earning a 38-6 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Oct. 26, 2024, in Moorhead, Minn. SMSU closed the game with 241 yards of offense and 12 first downs, while MSUM finished the afternoon with 308 yards and 19 first down. Strand completed 18 of 24 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Madden Thorson caught a game-high six passes for 100 yards, while Brady Perryman had six catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns. SMSU starting quarterback Kendon Krogman played in the opening half and finished 4 for 10 passing for 81 yards and one interception. Wyatt Oak entered the game in the third quarter and completed 9 of 15 for 116 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Colin Maher led the Mustangs with three receptions for 91 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. Amarion Meschack racked up a team-high six tackles for the Mustangs.

SMSU vs. MSUM Series Information
Overall:     MSUM leads 31-19
In Marshall:    MSUM leads 13-12
In Moorhead:    MSUM leads 16-6
Neutral:     MSUM leads 2-1
Last SMSU win:    Sept. 7, 2017 (51-35)
Last MSUM win:     Oct. 26, 2024 (38-6)
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, 4
Underwood vs. MSUM:    10-4
Laqua vs. SMSU:     4-4

ANNUAL AG BOWL
•Saturday's 19th annual Ag Bowl concludes a day of celebration of agriculture in Minnesota and features numerous events for both kids and adults prior to the game.
•Proceeds generated by the Ag Bowl will fund scholarships and programming for worthy SMSU student-athletes and young people who will dedicate their careers to business success in agriculture, environmental science and the food industries.
•SMSU is 6-11 all-time in Ag Bowl games (no game in 2020) and will be playing MSUM for the first time.
All-Time Ag Bowl Results
2007 Concordia-St. Paul W, 24-19
2008 Black Hills State L, 14-21
2009 Black Hills State W, 55-10
2010 Wayne State L, 20-38
2011 UMary W, 48-45
2012 UMary L, 24-43
2013 St. Cloud State L, 35-49
2014 Northern State L, 43-46
2015 Bemidji State W, 34-30
2016 Wayne State L, 39-41
2017 Minot State W, 28-20
2018 Wayne State L, 14-23
2019 Minnesota State L, 23-38
2020 no game
2021 UMary L, 23-45
2022 Concordia-St. Paul W 14-6
2023 Bemidji State L 14-34
2024 Minot State L 9-42

SMSU HEAD COACH SCOTT UNDERWOOD
•Scott Underwood is in his fourth season as head coach with a record of 6-27. 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 92-78 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. 

THE 2025 SMSU ROSTER
•The SMSU roster (as of Sept. 1) features 18 seniors, 16 juniors, 20 sophomores, 26 redshirt freshmen and 32 freshmen. 

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.

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).

SMSU OPENING DRIVE TIDBITS
•SMSU is expected to start a new quarterback for 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. 
•SMSU started four different players at quarterback during the 2024 season. It's the first time since 1997 (and maybe in team history) SMSU had more than three start at quarterback. Most recently, SMSU had three different starting quarterbacks in 2022, 2019 and 2017. 
•Senior wide receiver Jake Anderson is the team's top returning receiver after catching 20 passes for 167 yards in 2024. Senior Colin Mayer caught 19 passes for a team-high 302 yards and a team-high three touchdowns a season ago. 
•Senior running back Jacob Honstetter, who rushed 111 times for 315 yards in 2014, is the teams' top returning rusher. He led the team in both categories. 
•The offensive line will be anchored by senior tackle Tyler Nebelung, who has started every game the past three seasons. Seniors Brock Ward and Roman Ordonez also are returning starters on the offensive line. 
•Senior linebacker Gideon Ervasti ranked second on the team last season with 68 tackles.
•Senior defensive end Avery Johnson racked up a team-high 5.5 sacks and was second on the squad with 7.5 tackles for loss. 
•Junior punter Mason Carver returns after recording a 38.1-yard punt average with 11 inside the opponents' 20-yard line last season. He was also 3 for 3 on PATs.
•Sophomore Connor Shelton also handled PATs and finished 4 for 6 on the season and was 1 for 3 on field gaol attempts. 
•SMSU opponents scored 10 defensive touchdowns last season.

SMSU / MSUM IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
•The following is where SMSU ranked in the final 2024 NCAA statistics and where MSUM ranks this season after week 1.
•A full listing of SMSU in the NCAA statistics can be found on pages 16-17. 
             (159 teams ranked)     SMSU     MSUM
             Scoring Offense    159th     14th
             Rushing Offense    148th      106th
             Passing Offense    151st     10th 
             Total Offense    156th     55th 
             Scoring Defense    142nd     85th
             Rushing Defense    123rd     102nd 
             Pass Defense    86th     4th 
             Pass Efficiency Defense    144th     39th 
             Total Defense    112th     69th 
             Net Punting     101st     107th 
             Punt Returns     111th     59th 
             Kickoff Returns     90th     18th
             Turnover Margin     159th     4th 
             Fewest Penalty Yards/Gm.     12th     2nd   
             Time of Possession     146th     88th 
             3rd Down Conversions     151st    5th
             3rd Down Conv. Defense    111th     101st

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

TURNOVER MARGIN BY THE NUMBERS
•SMSU finished 'minus-16' in turnover margin last season and was not 'plus' in turnover margin in any game during the 2024 season. 

LOOKING FOR TIME IN THE 'ZONE'
•SMSU finished 7 of 14 (50.0) in the red zone last season with five touchdowns and two field goals. SMSU failed to score seven times in the red zone registering two interceptions, three fumbles, a missed field goal and a turnover on downs. 
•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

LONG PLAYS FOR THE MUSTANGS
•In 2024, SMSU recorded 48 offensive/defensive plays or kick/punt returns of 20 or more yards with 22 coming from the offense (7 run, 15 pass).
•Wyatt Oak's 55-yard touchdown pass to Colin Maher  in week one versus Minot State was the longest pass play of the season.
•Jacob Honstetter's 55-yard run versus Minot State was the longest rush from scrimmage. 
•Tryg Auten's 52-yard return versus Concordia-St. Paul was 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

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 32-57 all-time at the stadium after finishing 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 10-34 in road games, including 0-5 last 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 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.

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 209-369-5, including 147-270-5 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 MSU MOORHEAD
•Steve Laqua is in his 15th season as head coach with a record of 66-79. 
•MSU Moorhead opened the season last Thursday with a come from behind 44-37 road victory over Northern Michigan. MSUM trailed 21-0 in the second quarter and 27-15 at halftime before outscoring NMU 29-10 in the second half. 
•All-American senior quarterback Jack Strand tied a school record with six touchdown passes completing 35 of 48 pass attempts for 336 yards. Strand is the program's all-time leader in passing yards with 9,951.  
•Senior wide receiver Gage Florence caught 17 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
•Senior linebacker Mitchell Jezierski was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday after recording a career-high 18 tackles and two forced fumbles in the win. The 18 tackles are the highest by a Dragon player since 2011.