BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University football team was tabbed for a seventh-place finish in the South Division and 14th place overall in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason coaches' poll released on Monday.
 
SMSU reported for training camp under fifth-year head coach, Scott Underwood, on Sunday, Aug. 2, followed by its first practice today (Monday, Aug. 13).
 
For the second straight season, the league will be split into North and South divisions. Each team will play 10 conference games that will count towards the NSIC cverall championship, of which six divisional games will count towards the NSIC North/South Division championships. In all, three league champions will be awarded (Overall, North Division, South Division).
 
"We will have a 2026 team that has a nucleus of players that have playing time in the NSIC over their careers as a starter or in a reserve role," Underwood said. "We are excited for our group to take the next step in consistently competing in the NSIC and showcasing their growth and talents."
 
Minnesota State, selected to win both the NSIC South Division and overall championship, received 10 first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) and recorded a total of 166 points in the overall poll. Minnesota Duluth was second overall with three first-place votes and 154 points. Augustana was third with 145 points and one first-place vote, followed by Sioux Falls (126) and Wayne State (125), rounding out the top five. UMD earned 36 points and one first-place vote to rank first in the North Division poll.
 
Northern State was picked to finish sixth overall with 106 points, followed by Bemidji State with 97 points, MSU Moorhead was ranked eighth with 86 points while Winona State (83) and Minot State (52) round out the top 10. UMary earned 51 points for 11th, followed by Concordia-St. Paul (34), Jamestown (29) and SMSU (21).
 
In the NSIC South Division Poll, MSU earned 36 points including a six first-place votes, followed by Augustana with 29 points and one first-place vote. Sioux Falls earned 27 points for third place, followed by Wayne State (22), Winona State (16), Concordia-St. Paul (9), and SMSU (8).
 
Wayne State running back Dawson Forgy earned NSIC South Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, with Minnesota State junior defensive end Jefferson Mobry earned NSIC South Preseason Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
 
Northern State running back Hank Kraft earned NSIC North Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, while teammate senior linebacker Jake Adams earned NSIC North Preseason Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
 
SMSU senior quarterback Macloud Crowton (St. George, Utah) and senior defensive end Avery Johnson (Lomira, Wis.) were tabbed a 'Player to Watch' in the NSIC for the Mustangs.
 
Crowton started 10 games in his first season at SMSU in 2025, completing 171 of 324 pass attempts for 10 touchdowns. He passed for more than 250 yards in four games, including a season-high 453 yards and three touchdowns versus Augustana.
 
"As a transfer last season, Macloud came in and led our offensive unit in 10 games," Underwood said. "He is an experienced competitor with a strong offensive background and skilled knowledge of the quarterback position with pocket presence. We look forward to him taking the next step in his learning and leadership of our offensive scheme & personnel."
 
Johnson enters his sixth season for SMSU after suffering a season-ending injury in the first game last season and missing all but two games in 2022. In 2024, Johnson played in all 11 games and led the team with 5.5 sacks and was second with 7.5 tackles for loss. He has played in 34 career games with 73 tackles, including 21 for loss and 12 sacks.
 
"Avery was injured in the opening game last season, and we look forward to having him back on the field. "He is an explosive player, who led our team in sacks in 2024, we look forward to his experience, leadership and energy in 2026."

SMSU finished the 2025 season with a 1-10 overall record, including 1-9 in NSIC play.
 
The Mustangs open the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 27, hosting Valley City State (N.D.) in a non-conference game at The Schwan Regional Event Center. The NSIC season begins on Saturday, Sept. 3, at Bemidji State.