SIOUX FALLS -- No. 13 University of Sioux Falls Football Team (9-1, 5-1 NSIC South), which ranks second in NCAA DII in total defense, will host No. 1 Minnesota State (10-0, 6-0 NSIC South) in a top 20 match up on Senior Day at noon on Saturday at Bob Young Field. The NSIC contest will wrap up the regular season for both teams.

The game of nationally ranked team will feature the NSIC's top offense in MSU (502.6 total yards per game) against the top-ranked defense in USF, which allows 230.5 yards per game. At least as intriguing is the match up of the top rushing team MSU at 312.0 yards per game against  a Cougar's defense which is limiting opponents to 60.7 rushing yards per game.

During pre-game ceremonies, USF will introduce and recognize the seniors, who have been part of a tremendous run of success.

Since 2014, the Cougars have a 41-6 record with four straight nine-win or better seasons, three postseason berths and two straight NCAA DII playoff appearances. The seniors have been part of a program ranked 46 straight weeks in the national polls, won 17 straight overall league games and will graduate with a 17-game road NSIC winning streak in place. Currently, they have helped lead USF to a 9-1 record and No. 13 ranking in the AFCA Coaches Poll. USF is also No. 11 in the D2Football.com poll.

The seniors include #1 Jason Towns, running back and criminal justice major from Harvey, Ill.; #5 Joshua Butler, strong safety and Master of Business Administration graduate student, Aurora, Colo; #7 Matthew Young, quarterback and Master of Education graduate student, Phoenix, Ariz.; #12 Stuart Vanden Heuvel, punter/kicker and business administration major, Watertown, Wis.; #19 Kyle Campiotti, linebacker and exercise science major, Livermore Calif.; #20 Jeffrey Harman, free safety and media studies major, Redlands, Calif.; #22 Max Mickey, running back and business administration major, Holden, Mo.; #26 Ayinde Warren, free safety and Master of Business Administration graduate student, Silver Springs, Md.; #31 Michael Atonio, linebacker and social work major, Kodiak, Alaska; #34 Isaac Josephson, linebacker and business management major, Minneota, Minn.; #38 Austin Schaffer, defensive back and nursing major, Hilbert, Wisc.; #42 Adria Botella, defensive end and media studies major, Barcelona, Spain;  #45 Jason Sturdivant, defensive back and  psychology major, Waterbury, Conn.; #46 Derek Landis, defensive end and business major, Lakewood Colo.; #47 Dennis Gardeck, linebacker and Master of Business Administration graduate student, Crystal Lake, Ill.; #52 Zack Tamburo, defensive tackle and sports management major, Phoenix, Ariz.; #55 Spencer Hollie, offensive tackle and sociology, Dublin, Calif.;  #67 Jesse Springer, offensive tackle and exercise science major, Denver, Colo.; #85 Nicholas Stanke, tight end and nursing major, Eau Claire, Wisc.; #91 Brian Mayberry, defensive tackle and criminal justice major, Littleton, Colo.; #93 Kray Krolikowski, defensive tackle and criminal justice major, Winner, S.D.

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. Fans may also listen and view the streamed webcast
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Cougars reach nine wins for fourth straight year
The Cougars, which have reached nine wins in a season for the fourth straight year, have clinched third overall in the NSIC and are battling MSU (10-0) and Winona State (9-1) for the top spot in the South Division and the overall title as well as seeding in Super Region 4. The Cougars, have won four-straight games as they try to earn a berth in the NCAA DII playoffs for the third straight year.  With a win, the 2017 team becomes the 16th team in USF history to reach 10 wins in the season.  In the DII era the Cougars have had double digit wins twice, including 11-1 in 2014 and 12-1 a year ago. The Mavericks are unbeaten and coming off a 48-27 victory over Wayne State.

USF-MSU showdown has playoffs implications
The Cougars, the defending league champion, will play Saturday for at least a share of the NSIC South Division for the fourth straight year. MSU, which won the 2015 title, will try and win the NSIC title outright. This is also a matchup of two of the top five teams in the Super Region 4 playoff rankings and therefore has playoff implications.

MSU will look to retain its #1 spot in the region while USF will look to move up from #5. On Sunday at 4 p.m. central time, seven teams from each of the four Super Regions will be announced as participants in the 2017 NCAA DII Football Championships.

The selection show, which will be available at NCAA.com on Sunday, Nov. 12, will include the announcement of a top seed from each region, which will earn a first round bye. The other six teams in each super region will be seeded from 2-7 with the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 seeds earning the right to host a first round match up. The winners of the opening round advance to second round games on Nov. 25 followed by the quarterfinals on Dec. 2 and semifinals Dec. 9. The NCAA DII Championship is set for Saturday, Dec. 16 in Kansas City, Mo.

Super Region 4 Rankings #3
(School, conference, In-Region Record, DII Record)
1. Minnesota State, 10-0, 10-0
2. Central Washington, 9-0, 10-0
3. Midwestern State (Texas), 9-1, 9-1
4. Winona State, 9-1, 91
5. Sioux Falls, 9-1, 9-1
6. Colorado Mesa, 9-1, 9-1
7. Texas A&M Commerce, 6-1, 8-1
8. Minnesota Duluth, 8-2, 8-2
9. Eastern New Mexico, 7-1, 8-1
10. Humboldt State, 8-1, 8-1

Quick look at USF through 10  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.  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).

On USF -  Did you know this?
~ Recorded 11 straight road wins, third best in DII (Henderson State, 31; Shepherd, 17) and have 17 consecutive NSIC road wins
~ Stand 21- 1 in the past 20 league games
~ Opened 9-1 or better for the fourth straight season
~ With victory over Wayne State on Oct. 12, clinched 24th straight winning season
~ Ranked in 46th straight national poll by AFCA and D2Football.com
~ Stand 54-11 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 8-of-10 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 631 total rushing yards with five teams unable to break 40 yards vs. USF.
~ For the fifth time in six years at NCAA DII, the Cougars have opened 9-1 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.
~Nationally-ranked USF defense has held an opponent to under 10 points for the seven times
~ Owns the league's top defense, leading the NSIC and ranking No. 3 nationally in scoring defense at 9.9 ppg, third in rushing defense at 60.7 yards per game, and second in total defense at 230.5 yards per game.  

National rankings - Coo stays steady in both polls
The Cougars are currently ranked No. 13 in the AFCA Coaches DII Poll and No. 11 in the 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 46 straight weeks in both the AFCA Coaches and D2Football.com national polls.

Series Notes - Two teams will meet for eighth time dating to 1936
MSU leads USF in the all-time series, 5-2. A year ago at Blakeslee Field in Mankato, USF handed MSU, a 24-14 setback en route to win the NSIC Championship. The last time the teams played in Bob Young Field, the Mavericks recorded a 44-3 victory during a season when both team made the playoffs. In 2014, USF led, 14-10 in the fourth quarter in a battle of unbeaten teams before MSU had a 17-0 surge to win, 27-14 at Blakeslee Field. The Mavericks won 52-17 in 2013 and recorded a 27-13 victory in 2012.  The first meeting was a 27-0 victory by then Mankato State before the Cougars returned the favor with a 7-0 win in 1937.  

Opponent Review – Minnesota State Head Coach Todd Hoffner
The Mavericks are directed by head coach Todd Hoffner, who has guided the team to a 10-0 start. Over the course of seven seasons, Hoffner has led Minnesota State to a quartet of NCAA playoff appearances (2008, 2009, 2014 & 2015) including an appearance at the NCAA National Championship game in 2014. The Mavericks also advanced to a Mineral Water Bowl game in 2011. He owns an overall record of Mavericks to a 66-19 record. Under Hoffner, the Mavericks have won three NSIC Championships (2011, 2014 & 2015) and five NSIC South Division Championships (2008, 2009, 2011, 2014 & 2015). A 1989 Valley City (N.D.) State grad where he was a cornerback on the football team and a 400-meter hurdler on the track team, Hoffner earned a master's degree from North Dakota in 1991. A native of Esmond, N.D., Hoffner and his wife, Melodee, have three children.

Mavericks lead the NSIC in scoring at 43.5 points per game
Minnesota State is coming off a 48-27 win over Wayne State. The Mavericks lead the NSIC in scoring at 43.5 points per game while ranking second in points allowed at 12.7 ppg. Through 10 games, they lead the NSIC in rushing at 312.0 per game, averaging 6.8 yards per rush. MSU also is solid defensively, allowing 65.0 yards per game. Offensively they use their strong rushing attack to produce 502.6 yards and allow 254.5 per game. The offense is directed by quarterback Ryan Schlichte, who has completed 103-of-183 passes for 1,403 yards with 18 TDs. The running attack is led by Nate Gunn, who has 115 carries for 1,115 yards and 10 TDs but has missed two games. Justin Taormina has two starts and compiled 926 yards on 134 carries with 11 TDs. MSU has 3,120 rushing yards this year. Shane Zylstra leads the receivers with 39 catches for 638 yards and 12 TDs while Ty Dennis has 32 catches for 440 yards and three TDs. On defense, Michael Palme has 50 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and two sacks. Evan Perrizo has accumulated 13.5 TFLs and 8.5 sacks. Jack Curtis has four interceptions, 30 tackles and eight passes defended.

USF vs the NSIC - Breaking it down
USF is 54-11 overall in the NSIC, which breaks down to a .831 winning percentage, the best all-time mark in the NSIC.  USF is 61-17 all-time in NCAA DII with a 22-9 mark against South Division opponents and 22-2 vs. the North Division. The Cougars are 27-6 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 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.

Butler reaches 240 career tackles
In 43 career games, senior captain Josh Butler, an MBA student from Aurora, Colo., has 240 career stops with 146 solo stops and 25 passes defended. Butler, a two-time All-NSIC and Academic All-NSIC selection, has recorded two interceptions in his career and also has a sack. This season, Butler has 42 tackles, including 22 solo stops and seven pass breakups.

Gardeck ranks third nationally in sacks; sixth in TFLs
In 10 games with USF, senior linebacker Dennis Gardeck has 62 tackles, including 13 sacks (1.33 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 sixth in the country with 1.9 per game. The 13 sacks is the second most in a season in school history (Darin Martyna, 2002, 15) and his TFLs ranks fourth overall and second most in the DII era (Evan Gentry, 20.5 2014; Darin Martyna, 24, 2001; Martyna, 25, 2005). 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 335 tackles with 31 career sacks and 56 tackles for loss and nine forced fumbles. He is a graduate student in the Master of Business Administration program.

Cougars have scored 38 TDs on D/ST in DII era  
Through 10 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 149 games
Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 2,747 points in 78 games or 35.21 ppg. USF has scored in 149 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.

USF ranks top-10 in 13 national stat categories
USF continues to rank among the national leaders in numerous NCAA DII categories, according to national statistics released Sunday by the NCAA. The Cougars are ranked in the Top-10 in 13 categories and in the Top-5 in nine categories in NCAA DII.  The Cougars currently sit second nationally at just 60.7 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 second in the country by allowing just 122 total first downs, one more than national leader Ferris State at 121. The Cougars sit third nationally by allowing just 9.9 points per game and 99 for the season. In the fourth quarter, USF owns a 71-to-7 scoring advantage and has allowed a single TD in 10 games. USF has held seven of 10 opponents to 10 points or less.  Five times in 10 games, USF has held an opponent under 200 yards total offense which has enabled the Cougars to rank second nationally in total defense at 230.5 yards per game. USF is tough on opponents when they get into the red zone, ranking seventh nationally as opponents have just a 64.3 success rate.
Senior linebacker Dennis Gardeck, who has 13 total sacks or 1.30 per game, ranks third nationally. As a team the Cougars stand ninth nationally with 33 sacks or 3.30 per game. 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 third in DII. Gardeck also ranks sixth nationally with 1.9 TFLs per game or 19 for the season. On special teams, USF is fifth in DII in punt return defense at 2.29 yards per return. Also for USF, Jason Towns ranks third in punt return touchdowns with two. With two more field goals, senior Stuart Vanden Heuvel ranks seventh nationally in DII in field goals per game at 1.60.   

Towns  nearing 1,000 career yards rushing
Senior Jason Towns is making an impact for USF with 1,168 all purpose yards, including 726 rushing, 269 on punt returns and 129 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 1,797 career all-purpose yards in 31 games. He has 993 career rushing yards on 237 carries with seven TDs. In 2017, he is averaging 72.6 yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry in 2017.

Vanden Heuvel continues to be weapon in kicking game
Punter/kicker Stuart Vanden Heuvel, who has been named the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week twice (Oct. 16 and Oct. 30) leads the NSIC in net punting at 36.2 yards per game. He also leads the league with 19 punts placed inside the 20-yard line. The senior from Watertown, Wisc., has 69 career punts placed inside the 20-yard line. He has 221 punts for 8,029 yards (36.3) that 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 64 punts for 2,383 yards for 37.2 average, which ranks tied for ninth in the league. He is also 16-of-20 on field goals, including a long of 50 yards. Vanden Heuvel is one made field goal from tying TC Fraser for first all-time at USF with 17 made field goals in a season. He is 28-of-30 on extra points. He is 6-of-6 on field goals over 40 yards.  

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 141-of-240 passes for 1,625 yards and a completion rate of 58.8 percent, which ranks second 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.

Campiotti putting together solid senior campaign at linebacker
Senior Kyle Campiotti has accumulated 42 tackles, including 26 solo stops with 9.5 TFLs, which ranks seventh in the NSIC, and 2.5 sacks in 2017. He also has four pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. For his career, he has 109 tackles in 23 games with 71 solo stops. Campiotti has accumulated 11 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.  Against  Upper Iowa, he picked off the second pass of his career. With the interception, he returned it 67 yards for his first career defensive TD.

Atonio making impression in first season as starter
Michael Atonio is opening eyes with a solid season at starter for the Cougars. He is tied with Dennis Gardeck for first on the team in tackles with 62 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 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 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 28 catches for 272 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 27 catches for 363 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.

Stanke approaching 100 career catches at USF
Senior Nicholas Stanke has 25 receptions for 277 yards and a TD. For his career, Stanke now has 96 catches for 996 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 .