SIOUX FALLS -- No. 15 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (6-1, 2-1 NSIC South), which ranks second in NCAA DII in total defense, rushing defense and defensive scoring, will hit the road for the second straight week as the Cougars face Concordia-St. Paul (1-6, 0-3 NSIC South) at noon Saturday at Sea Foam Stadium in St. Paul, Minn.
 
Fans can listen to the NSIC contest at KWSN.com with Tom Frederick on play-by-play and Tim Hiatt serving as analyst or watch on Stretch internet.. 
 
Alumni Meet & Greet prior to USF-CSP Game
Prior to the game on Saturday, USF will host an "Alumni Meet and Greet" from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Cougar Pride Club Tent at Sea Foam Stadium.
 
Game Breakdown
USF, which has a 15-game road NSIC winning streak, will face a Concordia-St. Paul team, which has lost six straight games after opening the season with a 24-0 win at home against Minot State. The Cougars rebounded from their only setback of the season (Winona State, 31-13) by defeating Wayne State, 31-7, on the road last Thursday night. With the victory, USF won for the second time this season on Thursday night. With the decision, USF now has won 17 of its last 18 league games. In addition, the Cougars have clinched their 24th straight winning season, a total which leads NCAA DII and ranks fifth across all levels.  Through seven games, the Cougars rank as one of the nation's defenses with an offense that continues to find success. USF has outscored opponents, 29.0-to-9.9 points per game, allowing just 69 total points. The Cougars rank second nationally in defensive scoring and also second in rushing defense at 55.1 yards per game and total defense at 236.0 yards per game with 3.6 yards per play.
 
On offense, USF is putting up 392.4 yards per game, averaging 5.4 yards per play. Despite the absence of Max Mickey for the past two games, USF's running attack has been solid and is putting up 200 yards per game. Against Wayne State, Winston Maxwell (11 carries, 74 yards, two TDs), Jason Towns (10 carries, 60 yards, TD) and Colton Myles (15 carries, 52 yards and a TD) had solid games. The trio will be leaned on when USF battles CSP, which is allowing 264.9 rushing yards per game. The Golden Bears have allowed 34.3 points and 443.6 total yards per game. CSP has produced on offense with 309.1 yards per game, including 201.3 passing yards each outing. They average 18.7 points per game. A week ago, they lost to #12 Winona State, 28-10, in a game hampered by heavy rain.
 
Quick look at USF through seven games
USF opened the season with a 26-7 win at then #10 Minnesota-Duluth. The Cougars defense held UMD to -19 net rushing yards. In week two, the Cougars opened their home schedule with a 37-7 win over Northern State. In that game, Mickey had a career-best 87 yard run as he rolled up a personal-best of 217 rushing yards on 24 carries with two TDs.  Mickey added 150 yards on 24 carries and two TDs in a 38-7 road win over U-Mary. Jason Towns also had a pair of TDs. In week four, the Cougars registered 483 total yards, including 180 yards rushing from Mickey and 101 from Towns in a 34-0 shutout over UMC. Towns, who recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game, had two TDs for the second straight game, including a career-best 66-yard punt return and a 41-yard run. The Cougars moved to 5-0 with a 24-10 win over SMSU on Sept. 30. USF's defense had two more sacks (21 on the season, 3rd nationally), 11 TFLs and held an explosive Mustangs offense to 282 total yards or nearly 140 yards below its average. Mickey broke free for 212 yards rushing with two TDs. In week six, USF dropped a 31-13 decision to Winona State. The Cougars were outgained, 430 to 321. USF was hurt by dropped passes, missed tackles and four costly turnovers in dropping just their second homecoming game in seven tries at the NCAA DII level. Ian Fieber had a career high 256 yards passing with a TD. He surpassed 1,000 yards (1,009) with his performance against Winona State. USF rebounded in week seven with a dominating 31-7 road win as the Cougars' defense recorded four sacks, including two by national leader Dennis Gardeck. On offense, the Cougars produced 376 yards, including 167 rushing yards. USF has had a fast start with a 109-to-34 points advantage in the first half. The Cougars have also dominated in the fourth quarter to the tune of a 47-to-7 margin. To this point, USF has scored 47 points in each of the second, third and fourth quarters. Meanwhile, opponent's most productive quarter has been the third quarter - 28 points.
 
Things to know about USF
~ Recorded 15 consecutive NSIC road wins
~ Stand 18- 2 in the past 20 league games
~ Opened 6-1 or better for the fourth straight season
~ With victory over Wayne State, clinched 24th straight winning season
~ Ranked in 43rd straight national poll by AFCA and D2Football.com
~ Stand 51-11 all-time in NSIC play
~ Opponents are averaging just 55.1 rushing yards per game, 1.6 per rush
~ USF's defense has held 5-of-7 opponents to 210 yards or less with four opponents held to less than 200 yards
~ Cougars have limited opponent's rushing offenses to 386 total rushing yards with five teams unable to break 40 yards vs. USF
 
National rankings - Coo moves up three spots
The Cougars are currently ranked No. 18 in both the AFCA Coaches DII Poll and D2Football.com. USF has been ranked as high as No. 6 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 4 in the D2Football.com poll. 
 
USF leads CSP in all-time series, 10-1
Oct. 22, 2016 -- #6 Sioux Falls 51 Concordia-St. Paul 17, Bob Young Field, and 10-1
Oct. 31, 2015 -- #10 Sioux Falls 49 Concordia-St. Paul 0, Sea Foam Stadium, and 9-1
Oct. 4, 2014 -- #21 Sioux Falls 38 Concordia St. Paul 9, Bob Young Field, 8-1
Oct. 19, 2013 -- Sioux Falls 47 Concordia St. Paul 7, Sea Foam Stadium, 7-1
Oct. 13, 2012 -- Sioux Falls 31 Concordia St. Paul 23, Sea Foam Stadium, 6-1
Sept. 10, 1983 -- Sioux Falls 30 Concordia St. Paul 8, Howard Wood Field, 5-1
Sept. 11, 1982 -- Sioux Falls 26 Concordia St. Paul 7, St. Paul, Minn., 4-1
1974 -- Sioux Falls 36 Concordia St. Paul 6, Sioux Falls, S.D., 3-1
1973 -- Sioux Falls 23 Concordia St. Paul 0, St. Paul, Minn., 2-1
1972 -- Sioux Falls 44 Concordia St. Paul 6, Sioux Falls, S.D., 1-1
1971 -- Concordia St. Paul 24 Sioux Falls 16, St. Paul, Minn., 0-1
Summary: After Concordia St. Paul won the first-ever meeting (24-16) in 1971, USF has won 10 straight in the series. USF started the winning streak with a 44-6 decision in 1972. In 2016, Cougars opened up a 30-7 lead at halftime on the way to 51-17 victory. Max Mickey had three TDs, including 30-yard TD reception and 76 yard scoring run, and 128 yards rushing. Cougars had 432 total yards, including 249 yards rushing. Michael Mehling had 11 tackles, sack and TFL while Jeffrey Harman had five tackles and pass breakup. In 2015, USF rolled to a 49-0 victory as Luke Papilion completed 20-of-33 passes for 306 yards and set a career high with six TDs passes. Brady Rose had 10 catches for 159 yards and three TD receptions. In total, USF rolled up a 515-to-141 differential in total offense. In 2014, the Cougars took a 38-9 verdict in Sioux Falls. The win was USF's 400th in program history. USF had 486 yards in total offense, led by 247 passing and three passing TDs from QB Luke Papilion. In 2013, USF took a 47-7 win in St. Paul as the Cougars rolled up 628 yards of offense, holding the Golden Bears to 295.  USF led 34-0 at halftime as Carrington Hanna threw for three of his game-high four TDs. Hanna completed 24-of-36 passes for a career-best 407 yards. Nephi Garcia had 104 yards rushing and two TDs while Eric Albeck had 133 yards receiving and two TDs and Austin Van Hove collected eight catches for 126 yards. USF won a 31-23 decision in 2012 in Sioux Falls in the first meeting as NSIC members.  Taylor Perkins completed 21-of-39 passes for 305 yards and four TDs. Carrington Hanna had eight catches for 113 yards and a TD. Jeremiah Oates added four receptions for107 yards receiving with two TDs.

Opponent review - Concordia-St. Paul stands 1-6   
The Golden Bears opened the season with a 24-0 victory over Minot state before 1,897 in attendance at Sea Foam Stadium. CSP has lost six straight since them, falling in close contests on the road at MSU Moorhead (21-20) and Upper Iowa (34-29). They also have losses to Bemidji State (54-17), St. Cloud State (56-21), Minnesota State (47-10) and Winona State (28-10). The losses to SCSU, MSU and Winona State were at home while the setback to Bemidji State was on the road.
 
HC Shannon Currier leads Golden Bears
Shannon Currier is in his second coaching stint with CSP. He has a 55-62 career record. From 2000-03, he led the program to a 34-21 record and earned the 2003 NSIC Coach of the Year honor. Currier led the program to an NSIC title in 2003 and appeared in the Mineral Water Bowl. He has a B.A. degree in physical education from Hamline University in 1993 and a M.S. in health, physical education and recreation from Bemidji State in 2002.  Since his return in 2016, the program has been in a rebuild mode and his overall record stands 3-15.
 
A look at CSP's team leaders
On offense, the Golden Bears are led by quarterback Maxon Hutton, who has completed 58-of-127 passes for 762 yards and six TDs with six interceptions. He also has 100 yards rushing in 46 attempts. Ron Johnson has also seen action, completing 46-of-94 passes for 546 yards for five TDs and an interception. Darnell Rolle leads the rushing attack with 484 yards rushing on 94 carries with two TDs. Elias Arlington has 25 receptions for 385 yards and a TD while Marcus Gustaveson has 25 catches for 357 yards and seven TDs.  Defensively, Brian Szutkowsi has 60 tackles and TFLs to lead the way. Blake Evans had 50 tackles and Dion Wallisch 37 stops and the team's only two interceptions. As a defensive unit, CSP has 11 sacks, including three from Chris Garrett and 29 TFLs with Garrett and Dylan Wood registering 3.5 each.
 
USF vs the NSIC - Breaking it down
USF is 51-11 overall in the NSIC, which breaks down to a .823 winning percentage, the best all-time mark in the NSIC.  USF is 58-17 all-time in NCAA DII with a 29-9 mark against South Division opponents and stands 22-2 vs. the North Division. The Cougars are 25-6 in road NSIC games and 26-5 in home NSIC games. In North Division road games, the Cougars are 10-2 and 12-0 at home against the North. USF stands 14-5 against South Division opponents at home and is 15-4 on the road. USF's clinched a 23rd straight winning season in 2016, 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. 
 
Max Mickey - Look at his season
Eight-time All-American Max Mickey, who was a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy (DII's top player) a year ago, is off to a fast start in 2017 with 873 yards (2nd, nationally) on 146 carries and eight TDs in five games.  With 37 carries for 212 yards and two TDs in the 24-10 win over SMSU, Mickey had his third 200-yard rushing game of his career and was the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career. He now has 10 games of 150 rushing yards or more in his career including four straight. The senior from Holden, Mo., ranks third in the country in yardage (873) and second in rushing yards per game (174.2).  Against Minnesota Crookston, Mickey had 24 carries for 180 yards and a TD. In a 38-7 win at U-Mary, Mickey had 24 carries for 150 yards and TDs of two and 27 yards.  In a 37-7 win over Northern State at Bob Young Field, Mickey set a career-best with 217 rushing yards on 24 carries with two TDs. Tied for third all-time at USF in 100-yard rush games with 18, he has five straight to open 2017 campaign. With his next 100 yard rushing game, Mickey will tie Mike Dvoracek (2003-06) for second on USF's all-time list for 100-yard rushing games with 19.
 
Among Mickey's eight scoring runs was a career-best 87-yard run in the first half of a 37-7 win over NSU.  Among Mickey's eight scoring runs was a career-best 87-yard run in the first half of a 37-7 win over NSU.  Mickey, who was the NSIC Preseason South Offensive Player of the Year, has 3,656 career rushing yards (4th all-time at USF) and 40 career rushing TDs (8th all-time at USF).
 
Mickey's totals - game-by-game in 2017
Minnesota-Duluth -- 37-114-1 TDs
Northern State -- 24-217-2 TDs
Mary -- 24-150-2 TDs
Minnesota Crookston --- 24-180-TD
SMSU -- 37-212-2 TDs.
 
In road games in 2017, Mickey has 98 carries for 476 yards and five TDs. At home (Bob Young Field), he has 48 carries for 397 yards and three TDs. He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry in road games with an 8.2 per carry average in home games.  Mickey did not play against Winona State.
 
Butler nearing 230 career tackles
In 41 career games, senior captain Josh Butler has 226 career stops with 137 solo stops and 24 passes defended. Butler has recorded two interceptions in his career and also has a sack. This season, Butler has 31 tackles, including 13 solo stops and six pass breakups.
 
Gardeck ranks first nationally in sacks
In seven games with USF, senior linebacker Dennis Gardeck has 41 tackles, including a DII-best 10 sacks (1.43 per game). He had five sacks in the opening win over UMD and added a pair in week two and had two against Wayne State. He also leads the NSIC with 13 TFLs and ranks 9th in the country with 1.8 per game. He also has a fumble recovery and forced fumble. A two-time All Mountain East performer before transferring to USF, Gardeck has 10 career games with double digit tackles. In his career, he now has 314 tackles with 28 career sacks and 50 tackles for loss and eight forced fumbles.
 
Cougars have scored 37 TDs on D/ST in DII era 
Through five games, the Cougars have registered four defensive or special teams TDs in 2017 which pushes their total to 37 during the DII era. The 37 TDs by USF includes 25 on defense and 12 on special teams. The most recent special teams score was a 66-yard punt return TD by Jason Towns against Minnesota Crookston. The latest defensive TD was senior safety Jeffrey Harman's 35-yard interception for a score against NSU.  In the opener against UMD, the Cougars had a 17-yard fumble recovery for a TD by Derek Landis and a 41-yard punt return for a TD by Towns. 
 
Cougars have three of top 10 in league in sacks
With Dennis Gardeck leading the NSIC with 10 sacks, he is one of three USF players with three or more sacks. Derek Landis and Steven McKee both have four sacks. USF also has three of top 10 in TFLs. Gardeck has 13 while Campiotti has eight and Atonio has 6.5.
 
Scoring streak hits 146 games
Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 2,680 points in 75 games or 35.73 ppg. USF has scored in 146 straight games, dating to a 55-0 loss to Carroll College in the final game of the 2005 season. USF recorded 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. 
 
Butler, Mayberry, Springer and Mickey named Team Captains
Head Football Coach Jon Anderson has announced the team captains for the 2017 season. The captains, selected by vote of the team, include seniors Max Mickey, Holden, Mo.; Joshua Butler, Aurora, Colo.; Brian Mayberry, Littleton, Colo.; and Jesse Springer, Denver, Colo.
 
USF ranks second nationally in scoring and rushing defense
USF continues to rank among the national leaders in numerous NCAA DII categories, according to national statistics released Sunday by the NCAA. The Cougars rank in the DII Top-10 in 11 categories and in the Top-5 in five defensive categories. Overall, USF is in the Top-25 in 18 categories. Since opening with a 26-7 win over Minnesota-Duluth, the Cougars have been ranked first or second in rushing defense in NCAA DII.

The Cougars currently sit second nationally at just 55.1 yards rushing per game. They have held five opponents to 40 yards or fewer with four opponents at 30 yards or fewer. Through seven games, the Cougars lead the NSIC and stand second in DII in scoring defense at 9.9 points per game and total defense at 236.0 yards per game.  USF, which has outscored opponents 94-to-35 in the second half, has limited six of its seven opponents to 10 points or fewer per game with one shutout (Minnesota Crookston, 34-0). Four of the Cougars' opponents have registered only seven points. USF has held 5-of-7 opponents to 210 yards or less in total offense.

USF ranks second nationally in fourth down conversion defense at 17.6 percent, third in red zone defense at 54.5 percent, and third in first downs defense at 84.  USF, which recorded four sacks against Wayne State in a 31-7 win last Thursday (Oct. 12), leads the NSIC and ranks ninth in DII with 25 total sacks or 3.57 per game.  The Cougars rank 12th in team tackles for loss with 8.7 per game or 61 total.  In addition, the Cougars stand 16th nationally in fumbles recovered with eight. Individually, senior linebacker Dennis Gardeck continues to rank among the leaders. He leads the NSIC and DII in sacks with 1.43 per game (10) and has 28 in his career. In addition, he is 10th in the country with 13 tackles for loss or 1.9 per game. Gardeck, who has 41 tackles (314 in his career), has had two or more TFLs four times this season and has 50 for his career.

In special teams, senior Jason Towns has two punt return for TDs (42, 66), which leads the nation. USF ranks 24th in punt return defense at 3.58 yards per return. Despite missing two games, All-American running back Max Mickey ranks 10th with 873 rushing yards and has averaged 174.6 yards per game (2nd in NCAA DII). Mickey has 3,656 career yards, which ranks fourth among active players in NCAA DII.
 
Fieber settling in at quarterback for USF
Ian Fieber, a junior quarterback, won the starting role this fall and is starting to settle in at the position. He has completed 98-of-170 passes for 57.6 percent. He has thrown for 1,132 yards with five TDs.  Fieber has a solid efficiency rating of 119.8. Fieber has three games over 200 yards passing, including a career-high 256 against Winona State. He had his best overall game against U-Mary with 20 completions on 28 attempts for 71.4 percent and 206 yards with a TD and no interceptions. Against Wayne State, he was 12-of-17 for 123 yards before leaving at the half. He is backed up by senior Matthew Young, who stepped in for Fieber a week ago and completed 7-of-9 passes for 86 yards. Young is 19-of-27 (70 percent) for 200 yards.  In his career, he has completed 93-of-146 passes for 1,003 yards and three TDs, including a long TD of 78 yards. He has also rushed 65 times for 138 yards in 33 total games.
 
Holmes, Smith, Stanke and Garrow leading receiving corps
Through seven games, junior wide out Anthony Holmes of Des Moines, Iowa leads USF in receiving with 25 catches for 415 yards and two TDs. He is averaging 16.6 yards per catch. Holmes had five catches for a career high 123 yards against Winona State. He has a career-best 45-yard TD reception (SMSU, 9/30).  Senior tight end Nicholas Stanke, a senior from Eau Claire, Wisc. has 17 receptions for 180 yards and a TD, with a long of 24 yards.  In his career, the 2016 all-league performer has 88 receptions for 899 yards and six TDs. Also making an impact is A.J. Garrow, a junior from Brandon, S.D., who has 20 receptions for 184 yards or 9.2 yards per catch. Ty Smith, a freshman from Sioux Falls, has added 19 catches for 236 yards and a 35-yard TD reception. He had a season-high five catches for 69 yards vs. Winona State.
 
Towns making an impact with five TDs in seven games
Senior Jason Towns is making an impact for USF with 643 all-purpose yards, including 327 rushing, 187 on punt returns and 114 on kickoff returns. He has six TDs, including two on punt returns of 42 and 66 yards. With those two TDs, he leads NCAA DII in punt return TDs. On punt returns, he is averaging 10.4 per return and owns a 22.8 per return average on kickoff returns. Towns is averaging 4.4 yards per carry and has a long TD of 41 yards.
 
Vanden Heuvel earns first-ever NSIC ST POW; leads NSIC in net punting
Stuart Vanden Heuvel is having a solid senior season in handling both the place-kicking and punting chores. This week (Oct. 16), Vanden Heuvel was named the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week after converting four extra points, knocking in a 26-yard field goal and averaging 37.0 yards on eight punts, including two inside the 20-yard line. He leads the NSIC with 15 punts placed inside the 20 yard line and now has 64 in his career.  Vanden Heuvel leads the NSIC in net punting 36.1 yards per kick. He has 203 punts for 7,378 yards (36.3 yard avg.), established a career-best with a 64-yard punt in the win over Minnesota Crookston (Sept. 23). In that same game, he placed a punt inside the one-yard line. On the season, he has 46 punts for 1,732 yards for 37.7 average, which ranks tied for ninth in the league. He is also 8-of-12 on field goals, including a long of 50 yards. He is 23-of-25 on extra points. Interestingly, he is 4-of-4 on field goals from 40 yards or longer.
 
Atonio, Campiotti making their presence known
Seniors Michael Atonio of Kodiak, Alaska, and Kyle Campiotti of Livermore, Calif., are off to solid starts for USF. Campiotti, who was all-league a year ago, has 95 career tackles, including 28 stops this season. He has eight TFLs with a two sacks, pass breakup and pass defended.  He ranks fifth in the NSIC with eight TFLs. For his career, Campiotti has 9.5 TFLs, five passes defended and three sacks with one interception. Atonio has made an impact at middle linebacker, stepping in for his best friend and All-America Michael Mehling. Atonio has a team-high 44 tackles, including 25 solo stops. He has 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumble and fumble recovery.  He set a career record with a team-high 10 tackles in the win over SMSU on Sept. 30. After sitting out a year ago, Atonio now has 57 career tackles, including 34 solo stops in playing nine career games.