SIOUX FALLS – #7/9 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (6-0, 2-0 NSIC South) left little doubt that it is one of the nation's top units after producing 670 yards in a 48-28 win over Southwest Minnesota State  (4-2, 1-1 NSIC South) before a homecoming crowd of 2,554 at Bob Young Field on Saturday night.

The victory ran USF's record to 6-0, including 57-5 all-time at Bob Young Field, and at the top of the NSIC standings. USF, which improved to 2-0 in the NSIC South, broke 600 yards in total offense for the third time this season and the 12th time in the Jed Stugart era at USF.

Coming into the game, the Cougars led the nation in total offense and carried out that role ably on Saturday, led by its productive threesome in the backfield, all who had 100 yards or more rushing. In rolling up 428 yards on 53 carries, quarterback Luke Papilion had 12 carries for 122 yards while Justin Fulks added 21 carries for a career best 140 yards and two TDs and Max Mickey had 15 carries for 156 yards and a career best four total TDs. Papilion, who finished with 364 yards in total offense, completed 25-of-37 passes for 242 yards and threw his 72nd career TD, which places second all-time at USF. Papilion had his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season and the 11th of his career.

As for Mickey, who is averaging 157 yards per game, now has 942 yards on just 86 carries for a nation-leading 11.0 yards per carry. Mickey rolled up his fifth 100-yard game of the season ninth of his career. USF had three players go over 100 yards rushing in the same game for the first time in the NCAA DII era. It is the first time since 2013 that USF has 400 or more yards rushing three times in a season. USF, which came in averaging 568.0 yards in offense, pushed the average per game to 585.0. USF which totaled 2,291 yards rushing in 12 games a year ago already has 2,231 through six games.

"This team is all about heart," said Stugart, who captured his 59th win at USF and 85th as a collegiate coach. "Take our offensive line – none of those guys care about any recognition. They just work and work and produce. They just want to win with their brothers. And, it extends to every member of this team. They believe, absolutely believe, in each other," he said.

Aside from the rushing attack, USF's passing game was again on fire. Papilion, who is 70-of-108 (64.8 percent) for 751 yards and five TDs over the past three games, has put seniors Brady Rose and Josh Angulo to work during that run. Rose had another big night with a career-best 12 receptions for 119 yards as he now has 167 career receptions and 2,197 career receiving yards.  Rose had his fifth career 100-yard receiving game. Senior wide receiver Josh Angulo had four receptions as he moved to 183 for his career and 46 yards receiving moves him past 2,500 on his career (2,501). Both Rose (35-506-2 TDs) and Angulo (33-389-7 TDs) have over 30 receptions this season and totaled 16 catches for over 150 yards against MSU.

Combining rushing and passing, this was a  USf offense that generated the second most yards in total offense in USF's DII era, with 670 yards the most since totaling 680 against Minnesota Crookston in 2013. While USF's offense was doing its normal productive thing, the USF defense also deserved recognition, said USF head coach Jed Stugart.  In total the Cougars limited SMSU, which ranked third nationally in total offense and led the league in points per game, to 331 yards on 66 plays and 28 points, which was 20 points and 200 yards below its season average.

 "Upfront, we battled while the linebackers showcased their speed while the secondary came up with big plays time and again against an extremely explosive offense," said Stugart, noting USF held SMSU to 83 yards rushing on 25 carries.  USF's Clifford Redmond had a crucial third quarter interception, which was his fourth of the season. While USF had just one sack, they harassed SMSU quarterback Blake Gimbel all night. Michael Mehling led USF with nine tackles while Kyle Campiotti added eight.

In what was billed as a potential offensive showdown, the Cougars and Mustangs didn't start fast. In fact, USF led just 3-0 after the first quarter on Brett Garner's 26-yard field goals at the 11:13 mark.

But the offenses got rolling in the second quarter as both teams put up a pair of scores. Mickey's one yard TD run at the 7:16 mark capped a 14-play 80-yard drive in 5:19. SMSU answered quickly, moving 62 yards in seven plays in 2:03 to cut the deficit to 10-7 on Gimbel's 17-yard TD pass to Ty Steffensen. The Cougars answered with a seven-play 67-yard drive as Fulks scored on a 15-yard run as he leapt over a pair of SMSU defenders to push USF's lead to 17-7. USF's scoring drive covered 67 yards in just 3:03. Gimbel, who was 27-of-40 for 248 yards with three TDs, connected with Steffensen on a five-yard TD pass with 32 seconds left in the half.

As USF has done all season, the Cougars owned the second half, outscoring SMSU, 31-14.  Through six games, USF has a 139-to-50 points advantage against opponents.   

On the opening possession of the second half, Mickey again found the end zone with his 54-yard TD burst capping a 72-yard, four-play TD drive in 1:28 as USF led, 24-14. Once again, SMSU had the answer when Max Simmons scored on a six-yard run with 11:09 to play in the third quarter. The Cougars were quick to the punch again with Fulks' second TD of the game – 11 yards – pushing the lead back to 31-21. USF moved 70yards in four plays, using just 1:09 of the clock.

USF, which had a 37:32 to 22:28 time of possession edge, put a little distance between themselves and SMSU with a long-scoring drive. With 13:18 to play, Mickey hauled in an 11-yard TD pass from Papilion at the 13:18 mark. USF used up 6r:30 of the clock on a 14-play, 89 yard drive in taking a 38-21 lead. SMSU cut the lead back to 10 at 38-28 when Gimbel found Raphael Lawson-Gayle on a 42-yard strike at the 12 minute mark of the final quarter.

But that was all the scoring SMSU would put up as USF's defense stepped up and the offense kept rolling. With 8:42, Max Mickey scored his 10th TD of the season, including 9th rushing, on a one-yard run to cap an 8-play, 75-yard scoring driving, using 3:18 of the clock. USF's finished off the scoring as Garner's second field goal from 30-yards with 3:15 to play provided the final margin. USF's scoring drive covered 82 yards and nine plays in 4:37.

Next for USF will be a road game against Winona State, which defeated Upper Iowa, 27-13, to move to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC South. The kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. in Winona, Minn.

Notes –
~ Luke Papilion had his 22nd game of 300 yards (364) in his career. He also had his seventh game with 200 yards passing (242) and 100 yards rushing. Papilion pushed his career passing numbers of 638 completions on 1,099 attempts for 7,990 yards, all school records, and 72 TDs, which ranks second all-time just 13 from all-time leader Kurtiss Riggs with 85. He also passed 11,000 yards in total offense (11,026).

~ USF has three players with 489 yards or more rushing on the season. Max Mickey has 942 following by Luke Papilion with 640 and Justin Fulks at 489. All three are averaging 7.5 or better. Mickey is at 11.0 with Papilion averaging 8.8 and Fulks, 7.5. The threesome has combined for 21 rushing TDs. USF has rushed 266 times for 2,231 yards for 371.8 per game and 8.4 per carry.

~ USF has opened 6-0 for the third straight season.

~ In games USF has scored 40 points or more, they are 155-1 all-time.

~ The 670 yards in total offense is the fifth most in USF history.