SIOUX FALLS - S.D. -- After rolling to a 93-to-33 points per game edge in two opening season wins, The University of Sioux Falls (2-0) will return home to host #17/19 St. Cloud State (1-1) at Bob Young Field (USF Sports Complex) at 6 p.m. on Saturday. USF opened the season with a 41-14 win over Minot State at home and then defeated Bemidi State, 52-19, on the road last Saturday. The Huskies started the season with a road loss to #3 Minnesota State-Mankato, 31-0, before rebounding with a 43-20 home win over Wayne State last Saturday. .
Where to Listen/Watch - The radio broadcast will be on KWSN 1230 AM at KWSN.com with Tom Frederick on play-by-play and Tim Hiatt handling color. Live stats and video will be available at www.usfcougars.com.
Series – USF owns a 1-0 edge in the series with St. Cloud State, dating back to a 32-19 win in 2012. The win by USF over the Huskies in 2012 was the program's first win over a ranked NCAA DII opponent and came on the road. Interesting the first score in the NSIC was a safety in the first quarter. After that early defensive score, two of USF's all-time greats, Carrington Hanna and Taylor Perkins, had big games. Hanna had eight catches for 113 yards and two TDs while Perkins hit on 25-of-42 passes for 254 yards and three TDs.
Cougars to play 50th game at Bob Young Field
Since moving to NCAA DII in 2011, USF has compiled a 17-7 record in NSIC play. At Bob Young Field, the Cougars are 46-3. The game with SCSU will be the 50th at Bob Young Field.
Stugart will coach in 50th game soon
With a 35-12 record, Stugart will coach in his 50th game at USF when the Cougars host Concordia-St. Paul at USF Stadium at 6 p.m. on Oct. 4.
Racking up the points
With 93 points in two games, USF is averaging 46.5 ppg. On Saturday, USF had 52 points vs. Bemidji State, the most for the Cougars since scoring 55 in a 55-48 win over Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn., on Oct. 5, 2013. In the past 13 games, USF has scored over 50 points, three times.
Cougars Just 3 wins away from 400
Since beginning play in 1902, the Cougars have compiled a 397-401-20 all-time mark. As a result the Cougars are just three victories away from the 400-win milestone.
A little history on USF
In 1902, USF played the first football game in school history, a 33-0 loss to South Dakota. USF actually lost their first three games ever played before a 41-0 win over the Pipestone Indians in 1915. The Cougars first winning season was a 3-2-2 mark in 1916, when they played city rival Augustana for the first time, recording a 46-0 win over the Vikings.
Last week – Cougars roll past Bemidji State, 52-19
The running of Nephi Garcia and the big-play ability of the University of Sioux Falls defense provided the impetus of a 52-19 football win over Bemidji State on the road Saturday night. USF moved to 2-0 with the victory while Bemidji State fell to 0-2. It was a game of runs as the Cougars opened up a 24-0 first-half lead before the Beavers answered with a 19-point third quarter. Then, USF had a 28-point run in the 4th quarter to put the game away. On the night, USF forced six turnovers, turning three into scores.
USF junior defensive back David Clark returned an interception 40-yards for a TD in the 2nd quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Cougars' defense had two defensive TDs as junior linebacker Cameron Ostrom had an 88-yard interception return and redshirt senior defensive lineman Devin Flesher recovered a fumble in the end zone. It is the first time since Sept. 26, 2009 (Concordia, Neb., 80-0 win) that USF returned two interceptions for TDs. The three total TDs on defense is the most for the program since USF made the transition to DII in 2011. As for the offense, Nephi Garcia led the way with 25 carries for 134 yards and three TDs, including a 64-yard scoring jaunt. He also scored on a nine yard run and a one-yard jaunt. Garcia recorded his eighth career 100-yard rushing game. He also had his 10th straight game of at least 80-yard rushing. USF sophomore quarterback Luke Papilion completed 17-of-27 passes for 186 yards and a TD. Sophomore Matthew Young also played, hitting 10-of-18 passes for 88 yards. In two games, the Cougars sophomore quarterbacking duo have hit 69 percent of their passes by completing 54-of-78 for 559 yards with four TDs and two interceptions. Overall, USF's offense again was productive, putting up 477 total yards, including 274 yards passing and 203 on the ground. It was USF's second straight game of at least 475 yards (477, 497 last week vs. Minot).
Cougars ranked sixth in rushing defense nationally
The University of Sioux Falls football team (2-0), which increased its support in the latest American Football Coaches Association Poll (18 points), continues to rank among the leaders in NCAA Division II on both sides of the ball. Through two games, the Cougars rushing defense has been a force and rank sixth nationally. The USF defense, directed by first-year defensive coordinator Tremaine Jackson, also sits first in the NSIC by allowing just 1.30 yards per carry. USF has limited two opponents to a combined 82 yards in 64 carries or 41.0 yards per game. After picking off four passes against Bemidji State, USF ranks fourth nationally with five picks. They have 172 interception return yards and two defensive scores, both against Bemidji State. In fact, the Cougars had three defensive TDs last weekend, the most in more than 12 years. In total defense, the Cougars are 14th nationally and second in the NSIC. In 138 plays, they have allowed just 518 yards or 259.0 per game. The defense is tied for 15th in first downs allowed with 26. They are 19th in DII in third down conversions at 24.2 percent. On offense, the Cougars, directed by first year offensive coordinator Dustan Hovorka, are 14th nationally in scoring offense at 46.5 ppg. They rank 12th in first downs converted with 53. In addition, they are 36th nationally (4th in the NSIC) in passing offense with 559 yards or 279.5 yards per game. Individually, sophomore quarterback Luke Papilion sits 26th nationally in passing efficiency at 156.5. He has completed 25-of-36 passes for 303 yards with three TDs and two interceptions. Standout senior running back Nephi Garcia went over 100 yards rushing (134) vs. Bemidji State and now has 223 yards on the season and 1,291 career yards. Garcia, who has eight career 100-yard rushing games, has totaled 223 yards this season or 111.5 yards per game which is 32nd nationally.
Cougars go for 21st straight winning record
USF has recorded winning records in 20 straight seasons, including all four during the Jed Stugart tenure that began in 2010.
Breaking down the NSIC after 2 weeks
Through two games, the NSIC South owns a 11-5 advantage over teams from the NSIC North.
USF defense tough cookies
The USF defense has held both of its opponents in the first two games under 100 yards rushing. In fact, opponents have a combined 82 yards rushing on 63 carries. In the three-plus year at DII, USF has held an opponent under 100 yards rushing 10 times, including four times in 2011 and 2012. The defense already has produced eight turnovers including six interceptions. The 24 rushing yards on 25 carries allowed to Minot State in the opener is the best single game performance by the Cougars while a DII school. The Cougars' previous best was holding South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to 28 yards on 47 carries on Oct. 22, 2011 (71-0 win by USF).
What you need to know about St. Cloud State
Head Coach Scott Underwood – A 1988 Augustana College graduate, Underwood was named Husky head football coach in 2008 after serving as defensive coordinator for seven years. In six-plus season at the helm, he is 53-21 with a 49-15 mark in the NSIC. His 53 wins rank third on the all-time St. Cloud Coaching list. The 2013 team was 12-2 and advanced to the playoffs for the third time in the past four season.
SCSU after 2 games
The Huskies, which was ranked 19th in the AFCA Poll, have split two games when they have averaged 21.5 ppg and allowed 25.5 per game. St. Cloud State likes to do their bidding in the rushing game where they rank fifth in the league at 225.5 yards per game. The passing offense ranks last in the league with 63.0 yards per game. Defensively, they sit 12th in rushing defense at 204.5 yards per game and seven in the NSIC in pass defense at 205.5 yards per game.
Leading the Offense
St. Cloud State has used four players in the rushing game, including Kenneth Walker, who leads the team with 16 carries for 145 yards and three TDs. Ledell White had 27 carries for 120 yards and a TD while quarterback Jameson Parker had 14 carries for 104 yards and a TD. Quarterback Nate Meyer had 13 carries for 35 yards and a TD. Meyer has completed 6-of-19 passes for 51 yards with four interceptions. St. Cloud State has not thrown for a TD pass this season while allowing five. They do have a 6-2 edge in rushing scores. The team's leading receiver is Grant Thayer with five receptions for 80 yards.
Defensive Leaders for SCSU
Linebacker Adam Josephson leads the defense with 21 tackles, including nine solos and 2.5 tackles for loss. Defensive back Carvel Graham has 14 tackles while Kyle Risinger has 13 with two interceptions and Keyshawn Davis has 11 tackles and a pick. The Huskies have not recorded any sacks through two games.
Odds and Ends with Huskies
~ SCSU has posted six straight winning seasons
~ A year ago, SCSU was 12-2, including 6-1 in the NSIC North. The Huskies advanced to the playoffs.
~This is the Huskies first-ever trip to Bob Young Field.
~ Last week SCSU defeated Wayne State, 43-20.
