Football | 10/27/2016 4:48:00 PM

SIOUX FALLS -- The #4 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (8-0, 4-0 NSIC South), which ranks third in NCAA DII in total offense and second in rushing, will face a road test against Minnesota State, Mankato (6-2, 3-1 NSIC South) at Blakeslee Stadium in Mankato, Minn., at 1 p.m. on Saturday. A win by USF clinches the NSIC South and gives the Cougars a one game lead overall with two to play in the race for the overall NSIC title.
 
Both teams enter play Saturday after wins last week as the Cougars picked up a 51-17 victory against Concordia-St. Paul. USF scored 17 points in the second quarter and 21 in the fourth quarter to put together its 10th straight win against Concordia-St. Paul. Max Mickey rushed for 128 yards and scored three total TDs to lead the way. MSU recorded a 35-20 decision over Southwest Minnesota State on a Thursday night game in Mankato.
    
USF is ranked #4 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and #5 in the D2Football.com Poll and #4 in David Boyce's DII Power Poll at NCAA.com. USF is also #2 in the Super Rankings. The top 10 in the region rankings are listed here.
Super Region Three Rankings
(School, in-region record, DII record)
1. Northwest Missouri State, 8-0, 8-0
2. Sioux Falls, 8-0, 8-0
3. Harding, 8-0, 8-0
4. Minnesota Duluth, 7-1, 7-1
5. Emporia State, 7-1, 7-1
6. Azusa Pacific, 6-1, 7-1
7. Central Washington, 5-1, 5-1
8. Central Missouri, 6-2, 6-2
9. Bemidji State, 6-2, 6-2
10. Winona State, 6-2, 6-2

The Matchup     
When USF faces MSU on Saturday, the Cougars will look to continue its eight-game winning streak while the Mavericks will look to extend a three-game winning streak. The Cougars, which ranks third in the nation in total offense at 544.1 yards per game and rank second in rushing (341.4 ypg) while sitting ninth nationally in soring at 43.0 ppg. USF, ranks third in scoring defense at 22.4 ppg, second in total defense at 378.8 ypg and second in rushing defense, allowing just 106.5 yards per game.  MSU, which ranks seventh in scoring at 34.8 ppg, is averaging 417.4 (9th, NSIC) total yards and sit seventh in rushing at 181.1 ypg.     

Cougars move to 42-10 in NSIC games
USF is 42-10 in NSIC games and 47-15 in all DII games since the transition in 2011. USF's clinched a 23rd straight winning season two weeks ago, a streak which is unmatched in D2 and the fifth-longest streak across all divisions. The string of success began with an 8-3 season for legendary head coach Bob Young in 1994. In the four seasons in the NSIC, USF has gone 9-2, 6-5, 11-1 (Mineral Water Bowl champs) and 9-3 in 2015.  
      
 
The Cougars trail Minnesota State, Mankato, 5-1 in the all-time series. The first meeting was a 27-0 win by MSU, Mankato in 1936. In 1937, the Cougars returned the favor in the form of a 7-0 win. MSU, Mankato has won the four meetings in NSIC play, taking a 44-3 decision in 2015 with a 27-13 victory in 2014, 52-17 in  2013 and 27-13 in 2012.   

USF ranks third in nation in offense and ranks in 14 top 10 categories
Through eight games, the #6 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (8-0, 4-0 NSIC South) continues to rank among NCAA DII leaders in a myriad of categories. According to the most recent NCAA DII statistics released on Sunday, the Cougars, which defeated Concordia-St. Paul, 51-17, Saturday at Bob Young Field and leads the NSIC, rank third in total offense and second in rushing offense. Overall, the Cougars rank in the top 20 in 27 team and individual statistical categories and are top-10 in 14 categories.  
    USF, which has had 400 yards or more total offense in every game this season, leads DII in total offense at 544.1 yards per game. The Cougars, which have had at least 249 yards rushing in every contest, sits second in rushing at 341.4 yards per game. USF, which has the best per carry average in the nation at 7.8, has already surpassed last year's entire rushing total of 2,291 yards with its 2,731 yards this season.  It is a mark that is the best in school history through eight games.
    USF, which also ranks fourth nationally in yards per play at 7.45, has generated 505, 604, 453, 636, 562 670, 411 and 432 yards in the eight games this season.  At 43.0 points per game, USF sits ninth in DII in scoring. In first downs, USF is 18th nationally with 199. In other team categories, USF is seventh in sacks allowed (5) at 0.63 per game, eighth in red zone offense (92.5 percent – 37-of-40), 11th in team sacks with 3.63 per game (29),  10th in interceptions with 14 and fifth in interception return yardage with 261, including three returns 50 yards or more.

Mickey leads nation in yards per carry at 10.0
Junior running back Max Mickey continues to shine as one of the nation's best, ranking in the top 10 in five rushing or scoring categories. Mickey, who is one 10 players nationally with 1,000 rushing yards, ranks first in yards per carry at 10.01, third in rushing yards at 1,161 (116 carries) and third in rushing yards per game at 145.1. Mickey, who has six 100-yard rushing games this season, is eighth nationally in total TDs with 15, eighth in total points scoring with 90, 11th in scoring at 11.3 points per game, 16th in rushing TDs with 12 while ranking 18th in all-purpose yards at 159.76 per game. In 2016, Mickey has had rushing totals of 178, 185, 77, 207, 140, 156, 91 and 128 yards in his eight games this year.  Including national leader Mickey, USF has three players in the top six in DII in rushing yards per carry as senior quarterback Luke Papilion is fifth with 7.99 (89-711) while senior running back Justin Fulks is sixth at 7.49 per carry (84-629). Papilion ranks 12th in rushing TDs with 13, 12th in points responsible for with 150, 18th in points responsible for average at 18.8 per game, 16th in total TDs with 13 and 18th in total points scored with 78. He is also 22nd in scoring at 9.8 per game.
 Also for USF, junior punt returner Kyle Groeneweg ranks 14th in punt return average at 14.3 yards while Cliff Redmond is 14th with two fumble recoveries.  
 
About MSU
Through eight games this season the Mavericks, which opened the season ranked #6 nationally, have tallied 3,339 yards of total offense and are averaging 34.8 points per game.  MSU has accumulated 1,449 yards rushing with seniors Virgil Hammond (509) and Nick Pieruccini (482, 4 TDs) leading the way. MSU has 1,890 passing yards and 25 TD passes. Pieruccini has th 1.071 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Maverick defense is led by senior Ruben Ibarra with 72 tackles with senior Marcus Gooden at 63. Junior Evan Perrizo has tallied a team-leading 10 tackles for a loss.

On Mavs HC Todd Hoffner
In seven seasons at MSU, Todd Hoffner has compiled a 64-18 (.780) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014 and 2015.

Papilion has set total offense, passing marks
Luke Papilion, a senior quarterback from Denver, Colo., has become USF's all-time leader in passing and total offense.  Papilion, the NSIC's only two-time Harlon Hill candidate, now has 11,398 yards.  With 141 passing yards, Papilion has 8,291 passing which ranks first all-time. Plus he is the only USF QB ever to throw for 8,000 yards and rush for 3,000. He has 3,107 rushing yards, which ranks seventh all-time at USF and is first among quarterbacks. If he rushes for 21 yards Papilion will move into five all-time at USF. Just ahead of Papilion is Terry Austin, who had 3,115 yards from 1992-95 and Ryan Lowmiller with 3,137 rushing yards from 2006-09.  He is second all-time in TD passes with 73. The all-time leader is Kurtiss Riggs, who had 85 TD passes from 1993-96.  He has 7,789 yards passing, eighth all-time in league play, and 2,945 yards rushing in NSIC only games with his 10,724 total yards in league play fifth all-time in NSIC history.. He is the only player in NSIC history with both 2,900 yards rushing and 7,600 yards passing. He ranks 12th all-time in rushing in NSIC games with 2,945 yards and with 65 yards would become only quarterback in league history to reach 3,000 yards rushing in NSIC play. He is already the all-time leader in the NSIC in rushing yards by a quarterback (2,945) and one of six who had 2,000 yards rushing.

Other Papilion notes
~ With 11, 100-yard rushing games, he owns the mark for the most by a  quarterback at USF. This season, Papilion has four 100-yard rushing games (149, 101, 163, 122). He ranks fifth all-time.
~ Ranks second on the NSIC all-time chart in total offense with 299.8 yards per game, trailing only Jeff Loots of Southwest Minnesota State at 343.2.
 
Angulo passes 2,500 yards receiving
Senior wide receiver Josh Angulo has 37 receptions for 439 yards and seven TDs. He has a season-career best 15 catches for 164 yards (1, 4, 43) vs. Bemidji State (37-36 W, 9-24-16). Angulo's 15 catches in a win over then #22 Bemidji State tied a school record (Kalen DeBoer, Nov. 2, 1996 vs. Nebraska-Wesleyan) and is the most catches by a receiver while USF has been at DII. Also this season, he had two catches for 10 yards and a TD vs. SCSU (9-1-16), recorded four caches for 71 yards and two TDs against MSUM (9-10-16) at Bob Young Field, had one catch for 18 yards against Minot State (9-17-16) and seven catches for 80 yards and a TD in the "Key to the City" victory at Augustana. Angulo added four catches for 43 yards vs. SMSU on Oct. 8. This season, he has two TDs (37, 43) of 30 yards or more. Angulo ranks fifth all-time at USF in all three major receiving categories with 187 receptions, for 2,551 yards and 28 TDs.

Rose continues to climb receiving charts
Senior H-back Brady Rose show his flexibility in the USF offense by catching and throwing a TD vs. SCSU on Sept. 1 in the opener at Husky Stadium. In the in the win over SCSU on Sept. 1, both catching and throwing a TD.  Rose had seven catches for 163 yards and a 64-yard TD reception. He also threw a 39-yard TD pass to Kyle Groeneweg. Rose had five catches for 60 yards against MSUM on Sept. 10, three catches for 62 yards and a TD, and one catch for 11 yards vs. BSU (9-24-16). Against Augustana, he accumulated seven catches for 91 yards. Against SMSU (10-8-16), he set a career high with 12 catches and had 119 yards and added two catches for 40 yards vs. Winona State. Through seven games, he has 37 catches and a team high 546 yards receiving. The 119 yards receiving was his sixth career 100-yard receiving game. He now has 171 career yardage chart with 2,261 yards. He has 18 receiving TDs, including two this year, as he sits 10th all-time at USF, just one away from Zach Rutten, who had 19 from 1997-2001.

Angulo and Rose form historical receiving duo
Josh Angulo and Brady Rose rank second all-time for a receiving duo at USF for receiving yards and receptions. The two seniors have 4,812 receiving yards, second to Alex Anderson and Jon Ryan, who had 6,474 yards from 2007-10. Angulo/Rose have 358 receptions, which is second to Anderson/Ryan total of 392.  Anderson/Ryan have 84 TDs to 47 for Rose/Angulo.

USF's "lightning strike" offense
In 2016, USF is a quick strike offense. In a week one win over SCSU, USF had six TDs with drives taking three minutes or less. Of that six TDs, five came in two minutes or less and two in under a minute. Against MSUM, five of the six scoring drives were under three minutes, including two in less than 20 seconds. USF added three more scoring drives in three minutes or less against Minot State.  Against Bemidji State, the Cougars scored 34 points in the third quarter, including three TDs in 6:27 to open the second half. All five TDs by USF were scored in less than three minutes of drive time with two under a minute vs. BSU. In the victory over Augustana, USF had two drives in three minutes or less. The Cougars had three TD drives of three minutes or less in the 48-24 win over SMSU. Against Winona State, USF had two drives of three minutes or less and added six against CSP, including three in less than a minute. This year USF has produced nine TDs in 40 seconds or less. In 33 of the 47 TD drives in 2016, USF has taken less than three minutes. A year ago, USF had 44 TD drives of three minutes or less drive time with 33 in under two minutes and 16 in one minute or less.  In the past two years USF has had 77 TD drives in three minutes or less. In the past two seasons, USF has 27 scoring driving in under one minute and 54 in under two minutes of time.

Cougars sit 58-5 all-time at Bob Young Field
USF has a home record at Bob Young Field of 58-5 (.921). The Cougars, which has won 13-of-15 home games, including 4-0 in 2016, were victorious the first 32 games at the stadium and have since taken 27-of-32 at the friendly confines of Young Field. Overall, including play at Howard Wood Field (through 2006), the Cougars have won 78 of the past 83 games and 68-of-72 home conference games, including 47 in the GPAC (NAIA) and 22 (22-4) as an NSIC member in NCAA DII.  Since 2000, USF is 96-10 at home.   

By the numbers under Stugart
USF is 58-3 when leading at halftime in the Coach Stugart era.  They are 2-11 when trailing at halftime and 1-2 when tied at halftime. USF is 49-5 when scoring first and when opponents score first, the Cougars stand 15-11.

Scoring streak hits 133 games
Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 2,316 points in 63 games or 36.76 ppg. In 2016, USF is averaging 43.0 points per game. It has been 133 games since USF has failed to score, which was a 55-0 loss to Carroll College in the final game of the 2005 season. USF had a DII-best 73 points vs. Minnesota State-Moorhead (Sept. 27) in 2014. The previous high was in 2011 when the Cougars defeated the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 71-0.  

Cougars are 66-0 all-time when scoring 50
When the Cougars reach 50 points, they are 66-0 all-time and 25-0 when scoring over 60 points. They are 7-0 all-time when breaking the 70-point mark. When the Cougars have scored over 40, USF has a 157-2 mark, including 27-1 in DII. When scoring over 30 points, USF is 232-8. The two times USF has lost when scoring over 40 points was a 45-40 setback to Winona State on Oct. 12, 2013 at Bob Young Field while in DII and 52-49 to Dakota Wesleyan in 1990 while in NAIA.

Offense lighting it up
With 1,328 points in the past 32 games (start of 2014 season), USF is averaging 41.5. In the past 32 games, the Cougars have scored 179 TDs or 5.9 per game.  USF has averaged more than six yards a play in 19 of the last 25 games.  With 585 yards on 64 plays, against SCSU on Sept. 1, the Cougars averaged 9.1 yards per play, which is its best mark at the NCAA DII level and the best since averaging 11.4 yards per play (638 yards on 56 plays) in a 66-13 win over Doane College on Sept. 18, 2010. With 670 yards vs. SMSU, USF had the fifth largest total in school history and second best (680, Minnesota Crookston, 2013) in the DII era. USF has had 600 yards or more in offense three times this season and 12 times in the Jed Stugart era (since 2010).

Max Mickey producing big in the backfield
Junior running back Max Mickey has been one of the nation's top backs all season. The standout from Holden, Mo., ranks first NCAA DII in rushing yards per carry at 10.01 and ranks fourth nationally in rushing yards per game at 145.1 per game while sitting third in rushing yards with 1,161 (116 carries).  Mickey is just one of 10 backs nationally with over 1,000 yards rushing. He is part of a backfield and an offense that leads the NSIC and ranks second nationally in rushing yards at 354.8 per game. The Cougars have rushed for 343 yards (SCSU), 444 yards (MSUM), 328 (Minot State), 406 (Bemidji State), 282 (Augustana), 428 vs. SMSU and 251 vs Winona State this season. Mickey had 13 carries for 178 yards and a TD in the win over SCSU and then produced 15 carries for 185 yards against MSUM before totaling 77 vs. Minot State on just nine carries and a career best 207 yards on 14 carries with a career-best 75-yard TD run against BSU on Sept. 24. He had 20 carries for 140 yards and two TDs vs. Augie and earned NSIC Offensive Player of the Week honors with 15 carries for 156 yards and a career-high four total TDs. Against WSU, he had 14 carries for 91 yards and two TDs. Justin Fulks (103 vs. SCSU) and Mickey (178) both had 100-yard rushing games against SCSU on the road. Mickey (185) and Luke Papilion (149) busted out for 100-yard rushing games against MSUM.  Papilion added 101 yards rushing on Sept. 17 week vs. Minot State. Against BSU Mickey had 207 yards, the most by a USF rusher since Nephi Garcia rumbled for 225 in the snow against Wayne State on Nov. 15, 2014, and Papilion had 163 yards on 17 carries with a 46 yard TD run.  So, USF, which had just five 100-yard rushing games all last year, already has surpassed that with 11 through seven games this year. Mickey (156) Fulks (140) and Papilion (122) all had 100-yard rushing game vs. SMSU, which is a school record for most 100-yard rushing individuals in same game. Mickey now has 325 carries for 2,052 yards rushing, which ranks 12th all-time at USF. Mickey, who now has nine career 100-yard rushing games, has scored 23 career TDs, including 10 this year. Fulks, who has three 100-yard rushing games at USF, has 75 carries for 575 yards and four TD. He now has 201 carries for 1,137 yards and eight TDs at USF. Fulks, who has been on a playoff team three straight years (twice with Northwest Missouri State, who won a national title his freshman year), has 238 carries for 1,410 yards and nine TDs in his time at USF and NMSU.  

Rushing Attack best ever at through 8 games
This year, the Cougars' ground game has played a huge role in the team's 8-0 start. USF has had 12 individual games of 100 yards or more in a game, which gives USF 37 since moving to DII in 2011. For the first time in school history, USF put three players over 100 yards in a 48-28 win over SMSU on Oct. 8 at Bob Young Field. Overall USF had 428 yards, the third time over 400 this year and received 100 yard games from Max Mickey (156), Justin Fulks (140) and Luke Papilion (122). Through seven games, USF has 351 carries for 2,856 yards (2nd in DII) and a nation's best 7.8 per carry average. In fact, USF's total for eight games this season has smashed last year's 12-game season total of 2,291. It is the highest total by a team through eight games.   

Cougars 2nd in sacks & picks; Redmond has four int.
USF is second in the league in sacks with 29 and interceptions with 14 as senior Clifford Redmond has four interceptions, seven pass breakups, 11 passes defended, 34 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Seniors Westly Johnson has team-highs with 8.5 TFLs, team-high 6.5 sacks. Senior Michael Mehling has been one of the best linebackers in the league with a team-high 71 tackles,  including a team-high 44 solo stops; 6.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two passes defended and a pick six. Junior safety Josh Butler has 47 tackles, TFL, two interceptions and four passes defended. Kyle Campiotti, a junior linebacker, has 42 tackles, 1.5 TFls, sack and a pass breakup. USF has had 12 different players record a sack.   
Team Sacks at USF since 2002
2002 -- 43
2015 -- 39
2006 -- 37
2008 -- 35
2010 -- 34
2009 -- 33
2005 -- 33
2004 -- 32
2014 -- 30
2003 -- 29
2016 -- 29 (8G)
2007 -- 22
2012 -- 21
2011 -- 20
2013 -- 16
Interceptions - Returns
2014 -- 26 -474
2009 -- 24-305
2012 -- 23 - 296
2002 -- 22 -- 337
2010 -- 21- 274
2005 -- 21 -231
2015 -- 20 -- 374
2008 -- 20-288
2004 -- 20 -- 247
2006 -- 16 -- 148
2003 -- 16 -- 175
2011 -- 15 -- 258
2007-- 14 -- 162
2016 -- 14 -- 199 (8G)
2013 -- 9 -- 105