SIOUX FALLS -- When the University of Sioux Falls Football Team (2-1, 2-1 NSIC South) travels to face city rival Augustana (2-1, 2-1 NSIC)  on Saturday, the Cougars will look to win its sixth "Key to the City" victory in seven games in the series. The two rivals will clash at 1:05 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.

The seventh installment of the "Key to the City" series will be broadcast on Midco TV with David Brown handling play-by-play with Greg Anker as analyst and Elaina Lanson as sideline reporter. The game will also be on USF radio with Tom Frederick, the "Voice of the Cougars" and analyst Tim Hiatt bringing the play-by-play to fans through KWSN AM 1230.

The Cougars, which had a 17-game NSIC road winning streak end in heartbreaking 16-15 loss to No. 11 Winona State on Sept. 8, recorded a 39-21 win over Southwest Minnesota State on Military Appreciation Day.

USF faces a Vikings team that defeated Wayne State, 27-21, on the road last weekend. WSC had a chance for the win late but the Vikings defense stopped the Wildcats at the doorstep of their end zone. WSC , which rallied for a 27-7 deficit had four shots to win it but fell short as  four  passes fell incomplete. AU's quarterback Kyle Saddler threw for 175 yards while running back Rudy Sinflorant had 29 carries for 235 yards and two TDs.

Meanwhile at Bob Young Stadium, USF improved to 19-1 in the DII era when gaining 500 yards or more offense with a 39-21 win over SMSU. Gabe Watson, who ranks first in the NSIC and second in NCAA DII with 188.0 yards per game, had 19 carries for 193 yards and two TDs, including an 81-yard burst against the Mustangs. Junior quarterback Caden Walters completed 12-of-17 passes for 196 yards and four TDs. All those totals were career bests for Walters. Junior wide receiver Nate Johnson had a big game by catching four passes for 87 yards with three TDs. He had TD receptions of 57, 4 and 15 yards. The Cougars finished with 500 yards in total offense, including a season high 304, which was the most by a USF squad since generating 318 in the 34-21 playoff win over Azusa Pacific in 2016. The 500 yards offense by USF is the most since garnering 557 against Upper Iowa on Nov. 5, 2016.

#Key to the City Series - USF has won 5-of-6
USF has won five of the six meetings in the NCAA DII era vs. city rival Augustana but trail the all-time series 19-6. The first ever meeting in 1916 was a 46-0 USF win. A year ago at Bob Young Field, the No. 14 Cougars retained the "Key to the City" with a second straight win over the Vikings, 21-14 win before 2,955 in attendance. In the decision, USF led 10-0 before the Vikings rallied to take a 14-13 lead into the fourth quarter. Stuart Vanden Heuvel hit two of his career-high four field goals as the Cougars took a 19-14 lead. Then, Dennis Gardeck, who would be named to five All-American teams in 2017 and then earn a spot on the Arizona Cardinals roster in 2018, trapped the Augustana quarterback in the end zone for a safety, which clinched the USF victory.

In 2016 at Kirkeby-Over Stadium, No. 12 USF defeated No. 12 Augustana, 35-20 by racing to 14-0 lead and outscoring the Vikings, 14-7, in the second half before 7,115 in attendance. The Cougars rolled up 562 yards, including 282 yards rushing. Max Mickey had 20 carries for 140 yards with two TDs (18, 42). Mickey's 42-yard scoring run with 8:25 to play gave USF a 35-13 lead.  Luke Papilion completed 22-of-30 passes for 280 yards and two TDs. Trey Heid completed 24-of-44 passes for 293 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. Cliff Redmond had two interceptions and three tackles to lead the USF defense.

In 2015, C.J. Ham, who rushed for 154 yards, had a 31-yard run with 22 seconds to play to lift Augustana to its first win in the "Key to the City" series by a 35-28 tally. Before 4,091 at Bob Young Stadium, the Cougars led, 14-0 but were outscored, 35-14 over the final three quarters. USF forced Trey Heid into four interceptions and recorded five turnovers, including two TD returns. Solomon St. Pierre had a 24-yard interception return for a TD in the third quarter and Drew Jackson gave USF a 28-21 lead with a 21-yard interception return in the fourth quarter.  The Vikings outgained USF, 562-to-411.  

In 2014, USF built a 17-3 halftime lead and rolled past the Vikings, 23-12 at Kirkeby-Over Stadium before 6,841 in attendance. Luke Papilion had 130 yards rushing and 217 yards passing while Nephi Garcia had 97 yards rushing, including a 45-yard TD gallop in the second quarter. Brad Hatfield made three field goals (26, 34, and 38) and Brady Rose hauled in a TD pass from Papilion. The Cougars had a 451-to-358 edge in total yards. USF's Cameron Ostrom had nine tackles and a sack to lead the defense.

In 2013, Nephi Garcia had 29 carries for 159 yards and three TDs (36, 1, and 3) to lead USF to a 27-10 victory. USF led, 6-0, at halftime before using a 21-7 run in the second half to take the "Key to the City" win. The Cougars outgained Augustana, 433-to-329, and rushed for 234 yards.

In the first-ever "Key to the City" game on Oct. 20, 2012, the Cougars delivered in double overtime in a 32-31 victory. After USF built a 14-8 first-half lead, Augustana had a 17-11 edge in the second half to force overtime. In the second overtime, the Vikings took a 31-25 lead when Josh Hanson scored on a four-yard run. However, USF blocked the extra point, setting the stage for a dramatic win. Carrington Hanna hauled in nine-yard TD pass from Taylor Perkins and Braden Wieking's extra point gave USF a dramatic, 32-31 victory. The Vikings outscored USF, 470-to-347. Perkins completed 21-of-30 passes for 238 yards and had a rushing TD as well as the game-winning TD pass. Robert Virgil and Eric Anderson both had 12 tackles with Nick Bonte adding 10. Hanson completed 25-of-42 passes for 277 yards and two TDs. Dajin Newell led all rushers with 93 yards on 17 carries to lead AU.

#Year-by-Year - "Key to the City" results
2012 -- USF 32 Augustana 31, Kirkeby-Over Stadium, Att., 7,120
2013 -- USF 27 Augustana 10, Bob Young Field, Att. 4,712
2014 -- USF 23 Augustana 12, Kirkeby-Over Stadium, Att, 6,841
2015 -- Augustana 35 No. USF 28, Bob Young Field, Att. 4,091
2016 -- USF 35 Augustana 20, Kirkeby-Over Stadium, 7,115
2017 -- USF 21 Augustana 14, Bob Young Field, 2, 955

#VIKINGS NOTES - The Vikings are directed by head coach Jerry Olszewski, a 1993 graduate of Wisconsin-Stevens Points, who is 33-26 in his sixth year with Augustana. Overall in his coaching career, he is 65-44 in his 11th season. Led by sophomore quarter Kyle Saddler, the Vikings are averaging 37.0 points (4th, NSIC) and allowing 34.7 points per game (11th, NSIC). In total offense, AU is putting up 498.7 yards per game (4th, NSIC) and allowing 434.0 (10th, NSIC).  The Vikings rank fifth behind USF in the NSIC rankings at 181.0 yards per game. Saddler has completed 68-of-119 passes for 926 yards with seven TDs and two interceptions. On the ground, Rudy Sinflorant, who was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week, ranks second in the NSIC in rushing with his 76 carries for 416 yards and five TDs. Ryan Bradberry, who came into the season as a returning starter, has played just one game with five carries for 24 yards. At wideout, Sean Engel has 17 catches for 229 yards and Nickel Meyer, 15 for 224 yards and two TDs.

#WATSON POWERING OFFENSE - USF, which is averaging 27.0 points per game (9th, NSIC) and sits third in the league by allowing just 20.3 points per game.  USF's offense had some key pieces to replace from a year ago and several players are stepping up, including junior running back Gabriel Watson, who ranks first in the NSIC and second in NCAA DII with 565 rushing yards on 75 carries and 193.67 yards per game. He is first nationally  in rushing TDs with six; fifth in all-purpose yards at 193.67 and his average of 7.53 per carry is 12th in DII. Watson, whose play has helped USF ranked 14th in DII in rushing at 246.0 per game, has opened with games of 200 yards, 172 and 193, the most ever in USF's DII era for a back in the initial three games of his career. He joins a long history of great backs at USF, beginning with David Ruter, who had 677 carries for 4,783 yards and 73 TDs in 1995-98. In addition Mike Dvoracek starred from 2003-06, gaining 4,658 yards on 866 carries with 59 TDs. Nick Kortan was another standout from 1999-2002 when he had 762 carries for 4,331 yards and 45 TDs. And most recently, eight-time All-American Max Mickey had 538 carries for 3,720 yards and 41 TDs during his career. Also in the DII era, Nephi Garcia had 2,258 yards on 427 carries with 28 TDs.

In fact, Watson's three-game total of 575 yards in 2018 is the third best three-game total in school history, although it ranks No. 1 in the DII era. It betters the total of Max Mickey who had 547 from Sept. 9th to 23rd in the 2017 season. However, Mickey owns the top four-game span of 759 yards when he had games of 217, 150, 180 and 212 a year ago.

Hall of Fame running back David Ruter set the standard for the top-three game overall total in USF's first championship season of 1996, accumulating 700 yards in total offense, including 602 rushing yards on 78 carries with eight TDs during the opening three rounds of the playoffs in 1996. He had 33 carries for 315 yards and five TDs in a 56-13 win over U-Mary followed by 15 carries for 123 yards and two TDs in a win over Northwestern and 30 carries for 164 yards and a TD in the semifinals decision over Evangel.

In terms of the best three-game totals to open the season, USF Athletics Hall of Famer Nick Kortan holds that mark.  He opened the 2002 season with a three-game total of 578 yards (21-213-1 vs. Huron; 35-189-1 vs Doane and 42-176-TD vs Hastings) on 98 carries with three TDs. In that category, Watson is second all-time, followed by Mickey with 547. In terms of the best four-game total, Watson needs 183 yards to better Kortan's four-game run of 747 yards on 124 carries and six TDs, also in 2002.

In terms of three game runs, USF Athletics Hall of Fame running back Mike Dvoracek had 544 yards and 543 yards in two different three-game spans during the 2004 season. So Watson is in some pretty good company with his initial performances of the 2018 season.

#MAGIC AT THE BOB - USF is 2-0 in 2018 at Bob Young Field and now 66-8 all-time on their home field. USF opened the season with a dramatic 27-24 win over Concordia-St. Paul when Caden Walters tossed a 26-yard TD pass to junior tight end Clint Sigg with three seconds to play. After CSP took a 24-20 lead, USF had just 26 seconds to rally. Walters completed 3-of-4 passes for 60 yards as he finished 7-of-12 for 127 yards. Sigg, who had four catches for 57 yards, caught a pair of his passes during the drive. Walters did not start the game , entering in the second half and led USF on three scoring drives. USF was led on offense by the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week Gabriel Watson, who had 27 carries for 200 yards and TD of nine, 13 and 35 yards. He led the USF offense to 404 yards in total offense. Balance was in place for USF with 208 rushing yards matched by 196 passing yards. USF also had three catches f or 60 yards from newcomer Nate Johnson. Last week, the Cougars rolled up 500 yards offense and rolled up a 39-21 victory as Watson had 193 yards and two TDs; Walters threw for four TDs; and Nate Johnson caught three TD passes.

#ROAD WARRIORS --  Since 2014, USF has won 21-of-25 road games. In 2014, USF was 4-1, followed by 6-1 in 2015, 5-0 in winning the league title in 2016 and 6-1 in the playoff season a year ago.  USF is 0-1 on the road this year, falling to then No. 15 Winona State, 16-15, two years ago.
 
#WINNERS WIN - After five nine-win campaigns in the past six years, the Cougars continue the 2018 season with plenty of momentum. A tradition of success is embedded in the program. The motto, "Winners Win" was coined by legendary and all-time USF wins leader Bob Young and continues as the program's mantra.

#WALTERS-JOHNSON CONNECTION - Junior quarterback Caden Walters and wide receiver Nate Johnson are off to fast starts for USF. Walters has completed 30-of-50 passes for 452 yards and six TDs. He has a 60 percent completion rate with a 167.54 efficiency rating, which is 14th in NCAA DII. He also ranks 13th nationally in pass yards per completion at 15.07. Meanwhile Johnson has been a big play performer with eight catches for 156 yards with three TDs. He is averaged 19.5 yards per catch and 52.0 per game. Michael Maxwell has seven catches for 176 yards and a TD. Johnson has a 57-yard TD catch and Maxwell a 41-yard TD reception to go with a 78-yard season-best catch, which is the best at USF since 2015.
     
#COO TRACKS
~ USF's run of 51 straight rankings in the AFCA and D2Football.com polls ended this week. The Cougars dropped out of the AFCA poll from No. 24, despite a win. However, USF received 86 total points in the poll. The streak of 50 straight rankings in the D2Football.com poll also ended. USF was ranked No. 23 two weeks ago.  
~Five-time All-American Dennis Gardeck, who helped lead the 2017 Cougars to the playoffs, has earned a spot on the Arizona Cardinals NFL roster. Gardeck was All-NSIC, Harlon Hill and Cliff Harris finalist and NSIC Newcomer of the Year after accumulating 75 tackles, 14 tackles and 21 tackles for loss.
~Senior offensive tackle Trey Pipkins has been named to the Senior Bowl Watch List and two preseason All-American Teams - D2Football.com and The Podyum. He has 146 career pancakes.
~Captains for the 2018 season will include Pipkins, senior wide receiver Michael Maxwell, junior safety Tucker Stout and senior All-NSIC defensive end Logan Dykstra.
~The Cougars will look to extend a 24-season streak  for winning seasons, which is the best run in NCAA.
~USF also has earned four straight postseason appearances, including three straight in the NCAA DII playoffs.
~USF has both an offensive and defensive lineman named Nick Zimmerman. On offense, one of the Nicks hailed from Rosendale, Wisc., and is a 6-3, 296 starting center. A business administration major, he has been a starter for the past two seasons at dons No. 63. On defense, the other Nick is a 6-0, 282-pound starting defensive tackle from Oceanside, Calif. Zimmerman, who has a sack, two tackles and a TFL in two starts, is in his first season at USF. He is a psychology major.

#JUST WIN BABY - USF is 56-13 (.812) overall in the NSIC, the best all-time mark in the NSIC.  USF is 63-20 all-time in NCAA DII with a 34-11 mark against South opponents and 22-2 vs. the North. The Cougars are 27-7 in road NSIC games and 29-6 in home NSIC games. In North Division road games, the Cougars are 10-2 and 12-0 at home against NSIC North teams. USF stands 17-6 against South opponents at home and is 17-5 on the road. USF clinched their 24th straight winning season with a win over Wayne State on Oct. 12, 2017. 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.

#GRANTHAM'S CHARGE - With 21 tackles in three games, redshirt junior linebacker Brody Grantham leads the USF defense, which has forced seven turnovers, recorded eight tackles for loss with five sacks and three forced fumbles. Grantham has totaled 21 tackles and had his first career interception against SMSU. He returned it 48 yards which set up USF for a score. Senior Trevor Coleman had 13 tackles and Nate Durfee has 12 tackles and an interception.

#SCORING IT UP ON D - Through  three games has forced seven turnovers but did not score on defense. A year ago in 12 games, the Cougars registered five defensive or special teams TDs which pushed their total to 38 during the DII era.  The 38 TDs by USF includes 26 on defense and 12 on special teams.

#GAME SCORING STREAK AT 154 - Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 2,891 points in 83 games or 34.83 ppg. USF has scored in 154 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.