SIOUX FALLS -- No. 18 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (9-2), which features one of the nation's top defenses and a balanced offense, will meet No. 5 Midwestern State (9-0) in the opening round of the NCAA DII Football Championships on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Both USF and MWSU will be making their third straight appearance in the NCAA DII playoffs. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Cougars, which will make its first appearance in the playoffs in Super Region 4, finished 9-2 in the NSIC, just missing earning a second straight title when they fell to league champ Minnesota State, 27-23 in the final game of the regular season. The match-up features squads with contrasting styles. USF has one of the nation's top defenses and a balanced offense. Meanwhile MWSU averages over 320 yards per game passing.

MWSU, which features an explosive offense averaging 47.0 points and 519 yards per game, won the Lone Star Conference. USF is seeded sixth and MWSU, third. The winner will face the victor of the Colorado State-Pueblo (9-2, 7th seed) and Minnesota State (11-0, 2nd seed) in Mankato, Minn., on Nov. 25. The game will feature one of the nation's top defenses (ranked in the top three in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense) in USF, which has 39 sacks (fifth most in DII). Meanwhile MWSU has the ability to put up points, scoring a 56-43 win on Nov. 11 over Eastern New Mexico.

Since 2014, the Cougars have a 41-7 record with four straight nine-win or better seasons, four postseason berths and three straight NCAA DII playoff appearances. The 21 seniors have been part of a program ranked 47 straight weeks in the national polls, had a 17 game winning streak in league games and will graduate with a 17-game road NSIC winning streak in place. Currently, they have helped lead USF to a 9-2 record and No. 18 ranking in the AFCA Coaches Poll. USF is also No. 14 in the D2Football.com poll.

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

Inside Look at Midwestern State
The Lone Star Conference champions is making its ninth overall postseason appearance and eight since joining NCAA DII in 1997. The Mustangs will make their third straight playoff appearance, which is the sixth in the past nine season. The programs long NCAA playoff win is a 28-26 decision over Missouri Western in 2006. They are 1-7 overall in the postseason and 1-3 in playoff games at Memorial Stadium. MWSU recorded its second unbeaten regular season in program history while earning their four league title (2017, 1-12, 2011 and 2009).  MWSU has scored 40 or more points in six consecutive games. They are one of eight remaining unbeaten teams in DII. Directed by head coach Bill Maskill, the Mustangs are 71-15  on the home field and 16-2 since the start of the 2015 season. In his 18th season  as a head coach and 16th at MWSU, Maskill has a 128-46 record. He has taken teams to the DII postseason in 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017. MWSU, which has 18 consecutive winning season, is led by quarterback Layton Rabb, who has completed 186-of-285 passes for 2,610 yards with four interceptions and 26 TDs. Adrian Seales leads the ground game with 760 yards and seven TDs. Vincent Johnson has 674 yards rushing and 16 TDs. Tyrique Edwards leads the receiving corps with 38 catches for 565 yards and five TDs. Xavier Land has 33 catches for 298 yards and four TDs. They have five receivers with at least 21 receptions. The MWSU defense is led by Josh Wydermyer, who has 67 tackles while Sir'Vell Ford has 57 stops The defense has recorded 56 TFLs, 24 sacks and 11 interceptions.

Cougars  headed to DII Playoffs for 3rd straight year
USF, which has a DII-best 24-year consecutive winning season streak, will be making their third straight NCAA DII playoff appearance and fourth straight postseason berth overall in just six years in NCAA DII.

USF sits 38-14 all-time in postseason play
Before moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars had a highly successful run in NAIA, including winning national championships in 1996, 2006, 2008 and 2009. In the NAIA playoffs, USF was 36-12, including the four national titles, three runner-up finishes and three semifinal appearances. USF won its first ever league title in 1981 and with the NSIC title this season have 20 total conference crowns. USF's first unbeaten regular season was in 1988. USF has had 16th 10-win seasons, including two in the past three seasons. With a win today the Cougars will be the 17th team in school history to reach 10 wins. Overall USF has a 38-14 mark in postseason play, which includes a 42-10 win over Central Oklahoma in the 2014 Mineral Water Bowl and the program's first-ever DII playoff home win against seventh seeded Azusa Pacific, 34-21 in the opening round of the 2016 playoffs. USF, seeded second, dropped a 27-24 overtime decision to #3 seeded Harding at home in the second round of the DII playoffs.  In 2015 the Cougars (seeded sixth) fell the road to GNAC champion Henderson State (third seed), 23-16, in Arkedelphia, Ark. USF stands 1-2 in NCAA playoff games and 2-2 overall in four DII postseason games.

The Cougars, which have won 41 games over the past four seasons, were one of three NSIC teams selected to the playoffs as two-seeded Minnesota State (11-0) and fourth-seeded Winona State (10-1) also earned berths.  USF has one of the nation's top defenses, directed by defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto. The are the NSIC's top defense and are ranked in the top three nationally in the three main defensive categories. USF is ranked second in total defense at 234.1 yards per game second in defensive scoring at 11.5 points per game and third in rushing defense, allowing 63.3 yards per game. The offense, directed by offensive coordinator Jim Chapin, is averaging 383.2 yards per game, which ranks fifth in the NSIC. Interestingly, the Cougars, which averaged 26.6 points per game (sixth, NSIC) have almost 50-50 balance on offense with 193.1 rushing (4th, NSIC) and 190.5 passing (8th) passing yards per game.

USF - Regular season in review
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.  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. Gardeck added another sack, his 13th of the season, recorded a safety in the closing minutes to clinch the game for USF. Against Upper Iowa, the Cougars extended its road NSIC streak to 17 straight games with a 19-7 decision. Towns has 120 yards rushing for his fourth 100-yard game of the season while Ty Smith recorded his first-ever 100-yard receiving game with six catches for 100 yards and a 24-yard TD reception. Kyle Campiotti had his first-ever interception return for a TD (67 yards). Despite a commanding advantage in total yards, No. 13 USF dropped a heartbreaking 27-23 decision to No. 1 Minnesota State n the regular season finale on Saturday before 2,122 in attendance at Bob Young Field. MSU rallied in the fourth quarter, putting up a 14-3 advantage on a pair of Shane Zylstra touchdown receptions, to earn their 11th straight victory and capture the NSIC title outright. USF, which led 23-13 with five minutes to play, dropped to 9-2 and sit in third place overall in the NSIC standings. The USF defense, coordinated by Nick Benedetto, ranks No. 2 team nationally in total defense at 230.5 yards per game, and was rock solid against MSU. The Mavericks came in with the league's top marks in scoring (43.5 ppg), total offense (502.3 yards per game) and rushing (312.0). And, the Cougars held MSU to just 270 yards in total offense on 59 plays. The Mavericks rushing attack was held to just 89 yards on 37 carries. By holding MSU's top-ranked rushing attack in check, USF's dominating rush defense held its fifth straight opponent to less than 100 yards. In fact, the Cougars have allowed over 100 yards to just two opponents (Mary, 104; Winona State, 204). The defense, which led the league in sacks, came up with six against MSU for 33 yards in losses. It was the second time this season (Minnesota-Duluth, 8 sacks) that the Cougars recorded six or more sacks in a game. This is the third straight season that USF has recorded 39 or more sacks in a season. The 39 sacks is tied with the 2015 unit for second most in the DII era (2016, 42 sacks). The Cougars' offense, directed by offense coordinator Jim Chapin, was minus two starters (All American Max Mickey and starting wide receiver Antonio Holmes) but arguably its best performance of the season.  USF produced 390 yards against the league's number two-ranked defense. Led by senior running back Jason Towns, who had a career-high 37 carries for 136 yards, USF produced 135 rushing yards on 44 carries. Towns, who now has 862 rushing yards on 191 carries, recorded his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season. USF Quarterback Ian Fieber had a solid day by completing 17-of-29 passes for 255 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. Fieber's 255 yards was his second best total of the season (256 vs. Winona State). For the second straight week, freshman wide receiver Ty Smith had a big game, hauling in five catches for 110 yards and a TD. Smith has had 100 yards receiving in back-to-back weeks.

Cougar Tracks
~ Recorded  11 straight road wins, third best in DII (Henderson State, 31; Shepherd, 17) and have 17 consecutive NSIC road wins
~ Stand 21- 2 in the past 23 league games
~ Opened 9-2 or better for the fourth straight season
~ With victory over Wayne State on Oct. 12, clinched 24th straight winning season
~ Ranked in 47th straight national poll by AFCA and D2Football.com
~ Stand 54-12 all-time in NSIC play
~ Opponents are averaging just 63.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks third in DII
~ USF's defense has held 9-of-11 opponents to 270 yards or less with five opponents held to less than 200 yards
~ Limited opponents to 3.5 yards per play, the best mark by the program at the NCAA DII level
~ Held opponent's rushing offenses to 696 total rushing yards with five teams unable to break 40 yards vs. USF. Cougars have recorded 389 yards in lost rushing yards and allowed just 1.9 per carry
~ For the fifth time in six years at NCAA DII, the Cougars have opened 9-2 or better
` Proven to be road warriors with a 6-0 mark in 2017 and 17 straight NSIC road wins over the past three plus seasons
~Defense has held an opponent to under 10 points seven times
~Owns the league's top defense, leading the NSIC and ranking No. 2 nationally in scoring defense at 11.5 ppg, third in rushing defense at 63.3 yards per game, and second in total defense at 234.1 yards per game.  USF  ranks fifth nationally with 39 sacks.
~ Quarterback Ian Fieber leads the NSIC in completion percentage at 58.7.
~ Have two back with at least 800 yards rushing including Max Mickey with 873 and Jason Towns at 862.  Both backs have recorded five 100-yard games each. Mickey has 18 for his career, just one away from second place all-time at USF. Hall of Famer Mike Dvoracek had 19 100-yard rush games from 2003-06.

National rankings - Coo ranked 47 straight polls
The Cougars are currently ranked No. 18 in the AFCA Coaches DII Poll and No. 14 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 47 straight weeks in both the AFCA Coaches and D2Football.com national polls.

USF vs the NSIC - Breaking it down
USF is 54-12 overall in the NSIC, which breaks down to a .818 winning percentage, the best all-time mark in the NSIC.  USF is 61-18 all-time in NCAA DII for a .772 winning percentage. USF is 22-10 against South Division opponents and 22-2 vs. the North Division. The Cougars are 27-6 in road NSIC games and 27-6 in home NSIC games. In North Division road games, the Cougars are 10-2 and 12-0 at home against the North. USF stands 15-6 against South Division opponents at home and is 17-4 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 five 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.

Cougars have scored 38 TDs on D/ST in DII era  
Through 11 games, the Cougars have registered five defensive or special teams TDs in 2017 which pushes their total to 38 during the DII era.  The fifth of the TDs was a 67-yard interception return by senior Kyle Campiotti. The 38 TDs by USF includes 26 on defense and 12 on special teams. The other scores this year include a 66-yard punt return TD by Jason Towns against Minnesota Crookston. Senior safety Jeffrey Harman had a 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 150 games
Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 2,770 points in 79 games or 35.06 ppg. USF has scored in 150 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
The team captains for the 2017 season, 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.

Fieber ranks sixth in the NSIC in passing; 1st in completion pct.
In his first season directing the offense, junior Ian Fieber ranks sixth in the NSIC in passing. He has completed 158-of-269 passes for 1,880 yards and a completion rate of 58.7 percent, which ranks first in the league. He has throw for eight TDs with six interceptions. Fieber is averaging 162.5 yards per game and owns a 121.6 pass efficiency ranking.

Holmes, Garrow and Smith leading the Cougars 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, who did not play against No. Minnesota State, 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 averaging 58.7 yards per game. Also A.J. Garrow, a junior wideout, has 31 catches for 314 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 32 catches for 473 yards and a two TDs. He has caught at least one pass in every game with a career high six catches for 100 yards and a 24-yard TD reception last week against Upper Iowa. He recorded his second 100-yard game of the season with five grabs for 110 yards and a 25-yard TD reception against top-ranked Minnesota State n the regular season finale on Nov. 11.