SIOUX FALLS -- No. 13 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (8-1, 4-1 NSIC South), which ranks second in NCAA DII in total defense and rushing defense, will wrap up the regular season road schedule at Upper Iowa (6-3, 3-2 NSIC South) at 11:07 am Saturday, Nov. 4 at Harms-Eischied Stadium in Fayette, Iowa.

The Cougars, which will host No. 1 Minnesota State in the regular season finale on Nov. 11 at Bob Young Field, have won three-straight games and face a critical stretch in the season as they try to reach the NCAA DII playoffs for the third straight year.   While the Cougars, which are 5-0 on the road in 2017, look to reach nine wins in a season for the fourth straight year, Upper Iowa has won two straight games including a 31-20 decision over SMSU last Saturday..

Fans can listen to the NSIC contest at KWSN.com with Tom Frederick on play-by-play and Tim Hiatt serving as analyst.  

Game Breakdown - USF vs. Upper Iowa
Last week, the Cougars had another standout defensive effort and utilized 154 yards rushing from Jason Towns to defend the "Key to the City" title, taking a 21-14 decision over city rival Augustana. The win enabled the Cougars to extend its advantage over the Vikings to 5-1 during the NCAA DII era. The win enabled USF to open a season 8-1 for the fourth straight year.

On Oct. 21, the Cougars picked up their 16th consecutive NSIC road win with a 27-9 victory at Concordia-St. Paul.  The USF-Upper Iowa matchup will feature a pair of teams that rely on the rushing attack to fuel the offense. Towns led a USF attack that generated 175 yards on the ground against Augustana. On the flip side, USF is one of the nation's best in defending the run, also leading the NSIC at 59.7 yards rushing allowed per game. They held the Vikings to 58 rushing yards on 29 attempts and 178 in total offense.

Meanwhile, Upper Iowa had a big performance from Ryan Parmely, who rushed for a league-best 250 yards and earned the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week honor. He energized a Peacocks' attack that included 365 yards rushing. Aside from Parmely, who had 43 carries and two TDs, quarterback Kyle Domin had 26 carries for 111 yards and two TDs. Through nine games, USF . The two teams average nearly the same points per game on offense with UIU sixth in the league at 28.2 ppg and the Cougars sitting seventh at 27.9 ppg.

However, USF's defense allows just 10.2 ppg, which leads the NSIC, and Upper Iowa has allowed 25.1 ppg for 10th in the league.

As for the running attacks, the Peacocks, fueled by their performance against SMSU, average 205.8 rushing yards per game, which sits third in the league. USF is fifth at 200.7 rushing yards per game. Flip to the defense and the Cougars rank first nationally in rushing yards allowed while Upper Iowa has allowed 191.7 ypg for 10th in the league. In total offense, USF ranks fourth at 388.1 ypg and Upper Iowa, sixth, 379.1 ypg. The Cougars also lead the NSiC and ranks second nationally in total defense at 229.8 ypg. UIU is ninth in the league by allowing 347.1 ypg.

Look at Upper Iowa
Directed by head coach Tom Shea, UIU opened the season 3-1 with the only loss a 33-21 decision to then No. 21 Minnesota-Duluth. They defeated Minnesota Crookston, 44-7 and Northern State, 31-14 on the road while also defeated U-Mary, 58-14 at home. On Sept. 30, the Peacocks lost at then No. 25 Winona State, 37-7 before rebounding with a 34-29 victory over Concordia St. Paul at home. Then No. 4 Minnesota State posted a 52-7 decision over the Peacocks which defeated Augustana, 21-20, in Sioux Falls on Oct. 21. Last week Parmely and company used a powerful rushing attack to record the 31-20 win over SMSU at home. After USF, the Peacocks close the season at Wayne State.  Shea is in his ninth season with UIU with a 37-60 record. The 1972 Dakota State graduate has a career mark of 142-136-3.

On offense, the Peacocks are led by Parmely who has 151 carries for 733 yards and six TDs or 91.6 yards per game. Brent Lammers, who sat out the game with SMSU, has been UIU's starting quarterback for most of the season. He has 544 rushing yards and five TDs and completed 124-of-221 passes for 1,449 yards with 10 TDs and seven interceptions. However, Kyle Domin is listed on the two-deep as the starter. He has played one game, completing 9-of-13 passes for 81 yards and rushing for 111 yards.  Jarred Edmonds leads the receiving corps with 48 catches for 708 yards and five TDs. Brandyn Tulloch has 29 catches and a TD. Jesse Vizzini, who has 16 receptions, is a dangerous return specialist, who has an 82-yard punt return for a TD. He is averaging 11.1 per punt return and 21.2 yards per kick return.  On defense, Jordan Rommes leads the team with 58 tackles, a TFL, four interceptions and eight passes defended. Linebacker Keith Schwickerath has 57 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and two sacks while Mitchel Siech has 53 tackles, seven TFLs and a pair of sacks. Isaac Freese leads UIU with four sacks.

NCAA DII Regional Rankings - USF ranks 5th
USF was ranked fifth in the second NCAA DII Super Region Four rankings released Monday.
Super Region 4 - Rankings #2
(School, conference, In-Region Record, DII Record)
1. Central Washington (GNAC), 7-0, 8-0
2. Minnesota State (NSIC), 8-0, 8-0
3. Midwestern State (LSC), 5-0, 6-0
4. Winona State (GNAC), 8-1, 8-1
5. Sioux Falls (NSIC), 8-1, 8-1
6. Colorado Mesa (RMAC), 8-1, 8-1
7. Texas A&M Commerce (LSC), 5-1, 7-1
8. Humboldt State (GNAC), 7-1, 7-1
9. Minnesota-Duluth (NSIC), 7-2, 7-2
10. Eastern New Mexico (LSC), 6-1, 7-1

Quick look at USF through nine games
USF, which is 8-1 or better for the fourth straight year, 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.  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,. Defense was also key as the Cougars moved to 5-0 in NSiC road games with a 27-9 decision against Concordia-St. Paul. Gardeck had two more sacks and four TFLs as the USF limited the Golden Bears to 238 total yards, including just 10 net rushing yards in the second half. Jason Towns had career highs in carries with 25 and yards with 125 while scoring on a 22-yard TD. The Cougars rolled up 231 rushing yards and 376 total yards. In the 21-14 "Key to the City" win over Augustana, the Cougars were led by Jason Towns with a career high 29 carries for a career-best 154 yards with a 49-yard TD run.

Things to know about USF
~ Recorded 16 consecutive NSIC road wins
~ Stand 20- 1 in the past 20 league games
~ Opened 8-1 or better for the fourth straight season
~ With victory over Wayne State on Oct. 12, clinched 24th straight winning season
~ Ranked in 45th straight national poll by AFCA and D2Football.com
~ Stand 53-11 all-time in NSIC play
~ Opponents are averaging just 59.7 rushing yards per game, 1.8 per rush, the best mark at the NCAA DII level.
~ USF's defense has held 7-of-9 opponents to 240 yards or less with five opponents held to less than 200 yards
~ USF has limited opponents to 3.5 yards per play, the best mark by the program at the NCAA DII level.
~ Cougars have held opponent's rushing offenses to 538 total rushing yards with five teams unable to break 40 yards vs. USF.

National rankings - Coo moves up spot in both polls
The Cougars are currently ranked No. 13 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 has been ranked 45 straight weeks in both the AFCA Coaches and D2Football.com national polls.

USF leads series with Upper Iowa, 4-1
The Cougars are 4-1 all-time vs. Upper Iowa, including three straight wins. Here is a game-by-game summary of the series at the NCAA DII level.

2016 --  No. USF 51 Upper Iowa 7, Bob Young Field
A year ago, No. 4 USF built a 23-7 halftime lead and cruised to a 51-7 victory. USF scored 37 unanswered points after leading 14-7 in the first quarter. The Cougars registered 557 yards in total offense, including 360 yards through the air. Max Mickey had 92 yards rushing and two TDs while Luke Papilion completed 19-of-29 passes for 269 yards and a TD.  Josh Angulo added six catches for 104 yards. Michael Mehling had 10 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, two forced fumble and a sack to lead the defense. Clifford Redmond had six tackles and a pick-six from 30 yards.

2015 -- No. 17 USF 69 Upper Iowa 20, Harms-Eischeid Stadium
On Nov. 14, 2015, USF took a 69-20 victory in Fayette, Iowa as Luke Papilion threw for 331 yards and three TDs as USF  built a 45-7 lead at halftime. Josh Angulo had eight catches for 130 yards and a TD. USF had three special teams or defensive TDs, including an 88-yard kickoff return by Kyle Groeneweg, who had three receptions for 86 yards and a 51-yard TD catch. Solomon St. Pierre (24 yards) and John Tidwell (72 yards) had interception returns for TDs.

2014 -- No. 17 USF 45 Upper Iowa 24, Bob Young Field
On Nov. 8, 2014, USF took a 45-24 win at Bob Young Field as Luke Papilion had 287 yards passing and three TDs. He also rushed for  76 yards and a TD as USF led 24-0 at halftime. Nephi Garcia had 106 yards and a TD while Max Mickey provided 75 yards and a TD. Brady Rose hauled in 10 passes for 90 yards and two TDs. USF outgained UIU, 606-to-402 in total yards. The Cougars held a 282-to-36 yards advantage in rushing. UIU QB Cole Jaeschke completed 27-of-48 passes for 362 yards and three TDs.

2013 -- Upper Iowa 30 USF 28, Harms-Eischeid Stadium
On Nov. 2 2013 in Fayette, Iowa, Upper Iowa took a 30-28 decision. Peacock running back Chris Smith's record-breaking performance coupled with a fourth-down miscue cost USF in a 30-28 loss to Upper Iowa. In the game, Smith broke Upper Iowa's single season scoring mark in the third quarter and finished with 258 yards and three scores for the Peacocks. USF senior quarterback Carrington Hanna went 34-for-50 for 298 yards and two TDs and a pair of interceptions. Matt Young finished 2-for-2 for 81 yards and a score. Peacock quarterback Cole Jaeschke completed 23 of 30 attempts for 191 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Smith tallied a game-high 331 all purpose yards. Josh Angulo had 12 catches for 124 yards for USF. Thad Campbell paced an outstanding defensive effort, posting 14 tackles and a forced fumble for USF. Solomon  St. Pierre, John Batinich and  Carter Ahlers were credited with 10 tackles each.

2012 --  No. 21 USF 54 Upper Iowa 41, Bob Young Field
On Oct. 26, 2012,  USF won a shootout with Upper Iowa in a 54-41 decision at Bob Young Field. Kristian Porter racked up 108 rushing yards and two TDs. USF QB Taylor Perkins charted his sixth game with three or more passing TDs, finishing 15-of-25 for 230 yards and three TDs. He also added 50 yards on the ground. Jeremiah Oates recorded a career-high 162 yards and one TD, on just six receptions. The Cougars forced four interceptions, but they also allowed UIU quarterback Jaeschke to accumulate a NSIC record 606 passing yards and five touchdowns.   

USF vs the NSIC - Breaking it down
USF is 53-11 overall in the NSIC, which breaks down to a .828 winning percentage, the best all-time mark in the NSIC.  USF is 60-17 all-time in NCAA DII with a 21-9 mark against South Division opponents and 22-2 vs. the North Division. The Cougars are 26-6 in road NSIC games and 27-5 in home NSIC games. In North Division road games, the Cougars are 10-2 and 12-0 at home against the North. USF stands 15-5 against South Division opponents at home and is 16-4 on the road. USF's clinched a 24th straight winning season with a win over Wayne State on Oct. 12. It is 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.
 
Mickey ranks sixth all-time in NSIC rushing yards
Eight-time All-American Max Mickey, who was a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy (DII's top player) a year ago, had a fast start to 2017 with 873 yards (2nd, nationally) on 146 carries and eight TDs in five games.  He has sat out the last four games due to an injury. To this point in his career, Mickey ranks fourth all-time at USF with 3,656 yards. However, he is sixth all-time in NSIC rushing (league games only) with 3,388 yards on 532 carries and 37 TDs in 40 league games. His 6.36 yards per carry is sixth all-time and his 84.7 yards per game ranks 14th in conference history.  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 a 8.2 per carry average in home games.  Mickey did not play against Winona State.

Butler passes 230 career tackles
In 43 career games, senior captain Josh Butler has 235 career stops with 141 solo stops and 25 passes defended. Butler has recorded two interceptions in his career and also has a sack. This season, Butler has 37 tackles, including 17 solo stops and seven pass breakups.

Gardeck ranks third nationally in sacks; fifth in TFLs
In nine games with USF, senior linebacker Dennis Gardeck has 58 tackles, including 13 sacks (1.44 per game), which ranks third nationally. He had five sacks in the opening win over UMD, when he was the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year. He added a pair in week two and had two against Wayne State and Concordia-St Paul. He also leads the NSIC with 19 TFLs and ranks fifth in the country with 2.1 per game. He also has a fumble recovery, safety and two forced fumbles. A two-time All Mountain East performer before transferring to USF, Gardeck has 11 career games with double digit tackles, including two this year. In his career, he now has 331 tackles with 31 career sacks and 56 tackles for loss and nine forced fumbles.

Cougars have scored 37 TDs on D/ST in DII era  
Through nine 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.  

Scoring streak hits 148 games
Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 2,728 points in 77 games or 35.3 ppg. USF has scored in 148 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 top-10 in 14 national stat categories
USF is ranked in the Top-10 in 14 categories and in the Top-5 in 10 categories in NCAA DII. Overall, USF is in the nation's Top-25 in 17 categories. The Cougars currently sit second nationally at just 59.8 yards rushing per game. They have held five opponents to 40 yards or fewer with four opponents at 30 yards or fewer. The Cougars are stingy in first downs and points allowed. USF ranks first in the country by allowing just 110 total first downs and they sit third nationally by allowing just 10.2 points per game. In the fourth quarter, USF owns a 65-to-7 scoring advantage. On the season, USF has allowed just 78 points, including seven points in the fourth quarter. They have limited seven opponents in nine games to 10 points or fewer. Five times in nine games, USF has held an opponent under 200 yards total offense which has enabled the Cougars to rank second nationally in total defense at 229.8 yards per game. USF is tough on opponents when they get into the red zone, ranking ninth nationally as opponents have just a 64.3 success rate. Led by senior linebacker Dennis Gardeck, who has 13 total sacks or 1.44 per game, the Cougars have 31 sacks or 3.44 per game, which is 11th in DII. Of note, Gardeck owns the nation's single best sack performance in DII with five (Minnesota-Duluth, August 31). USF is solid on fourth down conversion defense, allowing only a 20 percent conversion rate for fifth in DII. On special teams, USF is sixth in punt return defense at 2.69 yards per return. Gardeck is also one of the nation's top individuals in tackles for loss with 2.1 per game (19 total), which is fifth in the country. Also for USF, Jason Towns ranks third in punt return touchdowns with two. With a blocked kick in the "Key to the City" victory (21-14) over Augustana, Adria Botella now ranks 10th in the country with two blocked kicks. With four field goals, including a 43-yard go-ahead score against Augustana, senior Stuart Vanden Heuvel ranks 10th in DII in field goals per game at 1.56.   

Towns likely to surpass 1,000 all-purpose yards this week
Senior Jason Towns is making an impact for USF with 967 all purpose yards, including 606 rushing, 219 on punt returns and 114 on kickoff returns. He has eight TDs, including two on punt returns of 42 and 66 yards. With those two TDs, he ranks third NCAA DII in punt return TDs. Towns has 1,596 career all-purpose yards in 30 games. He now has 873 career rushing yards on 211 carries.

Vanden Heuvel earns 2nd NSIC Player of the Week honor; sets punting yardage school mark
Punter/kicker Stuart Vanden Heuvel was named the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this year on Oct. 30. Vanden Heuvel, who was also honored on Oct. 16, made four-of-four field goals, including a 43-yard boot which gave USF the lead in the 21-14 "Key to the City" victory over rival Augustana on Oct. 28 at Bob Young Field. He also placed two punts inside the 20-yard line.  He is tied for the lead in the NSIC with 17 punts placed inside the 20 yard line and now has 66 in his career.  Vanden Heuvel ranks second in the NSIC in net punting 36.2 yards per kick. With five punts for 174 yards, he set a school record for career punting yards. He now has 214 punts for 7,752 yards (36.3 yard avg.),  which broke the school record held by Drew Anderson with 7,605 yards from 2004-08. Vanden Heuvel established a career-best with a 64-yard punt in the win over Minnesota Crookston (Sept. 23). On the season, he has 57 punts for 2,106 yards for 36.9 average, which ranks tied for ninth in the league. He is also 14-of-18 on field goals, including a long of 50 yards. He is 27-of-29 on extra points. He is 6-of-6 on field goals over 40 yards. The senior from Watertown, Wisc., also ranks eighth in D2 in field goals per game at 1.56.

Fieber ranks seventh in the NSIC in passing
In his first season directing the offense, junior Ian Fieber ranks seventh in the NSIC in passing. He has completed 126-of-218 passes for 1,472 yards and a completion rate of 57.8 percent, which ranks third in the league. He has throw for seven TDs with four interceptions. Fieber is averaging 181.1 yards per game and owns a 119.8 pass efficiency ranking.

Campiotti putting together solid senior campaign at linebacker; ranks seventh in NSIC in TFLs
Senior Kyle Campiotti has accumulated 38 tackles, including 24 solo stops with 8.5 TFLs, which ranks seventh in the NSIC, and 2.5 sacks in 2017. He also has three pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. For his career, he has 105 tackles in 22 games with 69 solo stops. Campiotti has accumulated 10 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.

Atonio making impression in first season as starter
Michael Atonio is opening eyes with a solid season at starter for the Cougars. He is second on the team in tackles with 56 while recording seven TFLs, two sacks, fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.

Landis continuing to make plays at defensive end
In his first season as a starter ,senior Derek Landis has been solid on the outside for USF. He has accumulated 25 tackles with six TFLs, four sacks, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. In addition, he has a 17-yard fumble recovery for a TD. He has six career sacks.

Holmes, Garrow and Smith leading the Coo wide receivers
Junior Anthony Holmes is yet another USF player making an impression in his first year as a starter. He has 34 receptions for 528 yards and two TDs. Five times, Holmes has had at least five receptions in a game. He has a career best six catches against Augie and Northern State. Holmes' top yardage game is five catches for 123 yards against Winona State. He is averaged 58.7. Also A.J. Garrow, a junior wideout, has 25 catches for 255 yards and a TD.  Garrow has a career best five catches for 71 yards against Concordia-St. Paul when he hauled in his first career TD. Freshman Ty Smith has 21 catches for 263 yards and a TD. He has caught at least one pass in every game with a career high five catches for 69 yards against Winona State.

Stanke approaching 100 career catches at USF
Senior Nicholas Stanke has 23 receptions for 260 yards and a TD. For his career, Stanke now has 94 catches for 979 yards and six TDs. Five times this year, he has had three receptions or more. He had four catches for a season-high 63 yards in the win over Augustana .