SIOUX FALLS -- With a season-high three-game winning streak, the University of Sioux Falls Football Team (5-2, 5-2 NSIC South) will travel to face Northern State (4-3, 4-3 NSIC North) at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26 at Swisher Field in Aberdeen.

The Cougars stand 3-0 against North Division opponents this season and will finish their four-game run against the North with a game against NSU. The Wolves stand 4-3 with a 29-26 overtime victory over Wayne State on the road on Oct. 19. However the Wolves are 0-3 at home and 4-3 in road match ups. All-time USF is 27-4 against NSIC North opponents. 

USF, which received 20 vote points in the AFCA Week 7 NCAA DII Coaches Poll (or 28th overall), is 2-1 in road games with their most recent win a 52-14 win over Minnesota Crookston, 52-14, and a 51-7 road win at Southwest Minnesota State. The Cougars lost the opener to Concordia-St. Paul, 41-24. As a result, USF has a 127-to-62 edge in points in road contests.
 
Fans can tune into the radio broadcast on KWSN with veteran announcer Tom Frederick and analyst Tim Hiatt with sideline reporter Chad Birger. Live video and stats will be available at USFCougars.com.
 
The Cougars, which will be led by head coach Jon Anderson (21-9) enter the game with a three-game winning streak after a 34-3 win over previously No. 23 Minnesota Duluth (5-2), who leads the NSIC North Division. With the win over UMD, Anderson recorded his 21st career win at USF and now sits fifth all-time in wins by a head coach at USF.  The Cougars defeated UMD for the third straight time with two straight (26-7 in 2017, 34-3 in 2019) during the Anderson coaching era.
 
#Walters continues to lead NSIC in total offense, passing
USF quarterback Caden Walters, a senior from Dodge City, Kan., who was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career on Oct. 14, continues to lead the NSIC in total offense and passing.
 
Walters leads the NSIC in eight statistical categories including passing (214.1 ypg),  completion percentage (62.5 percent) and yards (1,499). A Dodge City, Kan., senior, Walters has completed 105-of-168 passes with 11 TDs against two interceptions and has a result owns the league's top pass efficiency ranking of 156.7. With 1,778 total yards or 254.0 per game, Walters ranks first in total offense per game. He has a career-high of 334 yards total offense in the win over Minnesota Crookston.

One of the league's top dual-threat signal callers, Walters has 62 carries for 279 yards (4.5 avg.) with seven TDs this season. He has 112 carries for 424 yards and nine TDs in his career.  As for his career passing numbers, he is now 251-of-392 for 64.03 percent for 3,532 yards with 25 TDs and nine interceptions in his career. He ranks ninth in school history in passing yards 3,532 as he passed former USF standout Jon Eastman, who had 3,465 in 2010 and Taylor Perkins with 3,500 in 2011-12. Walters sits 13th in total offense with 3956 yards (554 plays, 7.1 yards per play – fourth all-time). 
 
#USF ranks 2nd in total defense and in 7 top-10 categories-
USF is ranked second in total defense among seven top-10 defensive rankings in NCAA DII, according to statistics released Sunday by the NCAA.
 
Over the past five games, USF has allowed a combined 896 total yards with three games when they held an opponent 200 yards and two under 140.  In total defense, USF ranked second in DII at 205.6 yards per game. USF has allowed 1,439 yards in 426 plays for 3.38 yards per play, which ranks best in DII. USF trails Colorado School of Mines by just two total yards but have defended nine more plays (417 for 1,437 yards).
 
The Cougars rank number one in DII in pass efficiency defense at 80.93 as the Cougars have 12 interceptions, which is sixth in DII, and 980 yards with the 140 yards per game ranking seventh nationally.  USF is allowing just 4.73 yards per passing attempt and 10.21 yards per completion.
 
USF is also sixth nationally in rushing defense at 65.6 yards per game. In seven games, USF has allowed just 459 yards on 219 carries for 2.10 yards per carry. The Cougars also rank seventh in scoring defense at 13.90 per game but have allowed just one offensive touchdown over the past three games when they have outscored opponents, 125-to-17. USF is also seventh in first down defense as they have allowed just 90.  In addition, USF is 12th in DII in third down conversions defense at 26.7 percent as opponents have converted just 27 of 101.
 
On offense, USF ranks 30th in DII (second in the NSIC) in total offense at 439.3 yards per game with 216.7 rushing yards per game for 28th nationally. With 11 total TDs and 9.4 points per game, sophomore Thuro Reisdorfer ranks 16th in DII. He also ranks 11th nationally with 66 total points. Senior quarterback Caden Walters ranks 33rd nationally in total offense at 254.0 yards per game. Both Reisdorfer, who had a career best 171 yards rushing and two TDs against UMD, and Walters lead the NSIC in their respective categories.
 
#USF has won three  straight but NSU leads series overall
The Cougars have a 5-8 record vs. NSU but stand 3-0  as a member of the NSIC and in NCAA DII. The Cougars, which were ranked No. 9 in DII, captured a 37-7 in 2017 at Bob Young Field as running back Max Mickey had 24 carries for 217 yards rushing with two TDs. He had a personal best 87 yard TD run in the second quarter as USF won before 2,415 in attendance. USF finished with 415 yards in total offense. On defense the Cougars recorded eight sacks. In 2015 on Gypsy days, No. 7 USF defeated NSU 28-10 before 8,133 in attendance. USF took a 21-3 at halftime. Mickey ran for 113 yards wit a TD while Luke Papilion rank for 77 and threw for 157 with two TDs. Garrett Shutt had two TD receptions and five catches for 84 yards. In 2013 at Bob Young Field, Papilion rushed for 240 yards on 19 carries and scored five TDs while Nephia Garcia had 159 yards rushing and a TD as the Cougars accumulated 411 rushing yards and 522 in total offense in a 45-37 win over NSU.  USF and NSU began playing each other in 1922 but had not met before 2013 since 1959, which was a 32-0 NSU win.
 
#Johnson, Collier continue to lead USF receiving group
In the receiving corps, USF has two of the top six pass catchers in the league. In his first year at USF, junior Karnell Collier has accumulated 29 catches for 433 yards and a TD which ranks him nine in the NSIC. He had his first career 100-yard receiving game in the win over Winona State with seven catches for 108 yards. Against SMSU, he had one catch for a career-best 91 yards. He set his career-high catch total with eight receptions for 89 yards against Augustana. Collier caught his first career TD at USF with a 20-yard pitch and catch from Walters in the UMD win. Senior Nate Johnson has had a big run of catches and yardage over the past four weeks when he has accumulated 25 and 397 yards plus five TDs. He ranks fourth in the NSIC with 34 catches for 532 yards and five TDs. He averages 15.9 yards per catch and 77.4 yards per game. In his career, Johnson has 56 in his  career for 949  yards and nine  TDs. He had a season-career high 10 receptions for 82 yards against Augustana on Sept. 26. Against U-Mary he tied his career-high with three TDs (SMSU, 2018) and set a career-best with 186 receiving yards, which is the most at USF since 2003 when Grant Brecher had 10 catches for 187 yards. Johnson's 186-yard game total ranks sixth best all-time at USF.  In addition, Johnson has 682 all purpose yards this season (532 receiving, 118 punt returns, 22 kick off returns) for 97.4 per game, which ranks 11th in the NSIC and second on USF.
 
#Grantham and company continue to shine on defense
On defense, senior Brody Grantham leads USF with 37 tackles. He has 24 solo stops, 5.0 TFLs, an interception and a pass breakup in his five games on the balanced defense employed by defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto. In his career, he has played 35 games with 139 tackles which included 75 solo stops. He has accumulated 14.5 tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
 
Senior Ryan Nieman registered his sixth career interception  and first-ever defensive TD against U-Mary with a 37-yard return in the second quarter of a 39-0 win. He has three picks this year. So far, he has three interceptions for 129 yards or 43.0 yards per carry. For his career he has 138 yards in interception returns on those six picks. He has 24 tackles this year with 12 solos. He has 51 tackles with 34 solos in his career.
 
Junior defensive end Joey Wehrkamp has 18 tackles with a team-high 8.0 TFLs, four sacks and now has totaled 73 tackles with 19 TFLs and 8.5 sacks in his career.  With his eight TFLs Wehrkamp is ninth in the NSIC.
 
Also for USF, junior linebacker Harvey (Michael) Enalls has 109 career stops, 10.0 TFLs and seven sacks. He has 29 tackles(17 solos), five TFLs and four sacks in 2019 which ranks eighth in the NSIC.  Plus he has three fumble recoveries which is tied for the league lead and ranks second in NCAA DII at 0.43 per game.
 
Senior safety Tucker Stout has 25 tackles and 19 solo stops with two interceptions in 2019 as he has built his career numbers to 106 tackles with 76 solo stops and two interceptions and a fumble recovery.  
 
Senior cornerback Parker Gregston has 22 tackles with 17 solo stops, two interceptions and 1,5 tackles for loss in 2019. With nine passes defended, Gregston ranks second in the NSIC. In his career, he has 84 tackles with 55 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, sack, 20 passes defended, 14 pass breakups and six interceptions.
 
#Reisdorfer leads the NSIC in scoring and ranks 4th in rushing
In the backfield, redshirt sophomore Thuro Reisdorfer has 92 carries for 573 yards and eight rushing TDs or 81.9 yards per game, which ranks fourth in the NSIC in rushing yards per game. However, he  leads the NSIC in scoring with 11 total TDs for 9.4 points per game. Reisdorfer's scoring ranks 16th in DII. He also ranks 11th nationally with 66 total points. He established a career high with 171 yards on 13 carries and two TDs against UMD. He has 13 carries for 92 yards against CSP and 20 carries for 82 yards and his first two career TDs in the 34-12 win over Winona State. He had a career best 113 yards and a career-high four TDs with a personal-best 50-yard TD run on 13 carries  against SMSU. Against Augustana, he had 17 carries for 50 yards and caught a career-first 50-yard TD reception. Against UMC he had 135 all purpose yards which included three catches for 20 yards and a three-yard TD pass and an 80-yard kickoff return for a TD. The return was his first-ever kickoff return TD.
 
Sophomore Ja'Tai Jenkins is seventh  in the NSIC in rushing at 60.3 yards per game He has 71 carries for 422 yards for 5.9 per carry and has two TDs with a long of 51.  Two weeks against SMSU, he had a career best 102 yards rushing on 10 carries with a career-best 51-yard TD run. Against U-Mary, he led USF in rushing with 80 yards on 13 carries and a TD. This season he has two receptions for 16 yards and a TD. He added 14 carries for 92 yards against Minnesota Crookston. Against UMD, he had 12 carries for 75 yards with a long of 29 yards. Between Jenkins and Reisdorfer, USF has three 100-yard rushing games this year. In the past 18 games, USF has 16 100-yard or better rushing performances.
 
#Esparza continues to have solid year for USF
USF's junior placekicker Daniel Esparza earned his first career Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honor after making a career-best 50-yard field goal against Winona State. Esparza, originally of Dallas, Texas, scored 10 points as the USF Football Team earned a 34-12 victory over Winona State in a key NSIC South contest at Bob Young Field on Saturday (Sept. 14). In his first year at USF, Esparza has made five of six field goals (17, 19, 38, 50 and 36 yards) and is 27-of-30 on extra points.  Against U-Mary, there was a strong cross wind that played havoc with the kicking games both in kickoffs and extra points/field goals. Against Winona State, he made a career-best 50-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, which was the longest kick since former USF standout Stu Vanden Heuvel connected from 50-yards on Sept. 9, 2017 also at Bob Young Field.  With his 42 points, he ranks fifth in the NSIC in scoring at 6.0 points per game.
 
USF punter Thomas Chapin is averaging 38.3 yards per punt with a long of 54 yards and nine kicks placed inside the 20-yard line. He has two punts over 50 yards and 29 punts for 1,111 yards. In his career, he has placed 20 punts into the 20 yard line and has nine punts of 50 yards or more with a long of 72 yards. 
 
#Team Captains for 2019
Tucker Stout, Logan Dykstra, Nick Zimmerman, Caden Walters, Gabriel Watson and Brody Grantham are serving as team captains this season for USF. Dykstra, and Stout are two-year team captains.

#WinnersWin
After five nine-win campaigns in the past seven years and 25 straight winning seasons, the Cougars continue the 2019 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.
 
#NSU breakdown - Wolves rank 8th in the NSIC in total offense
Head Coach Tom Dosch has NSU sitting in a tie for fourth place in the NSIC North with a 2-2 record in Division and 4-3 overall. Last week, NSU defeated Wayne State, 29-26 in double overtime in Wayne, Neb.  NSU ranks 15th in the NSIC in scoring offense at 16.9 points per game and 10th in scoring defense as 24.4 points per game.
 
Directed by quarterback Hunter Trautman rank eighth in the NSIC in total offense with 337.6 yards per game. Trautman ranks third in the league in passing with 1,397 yards on 117-of-223 for 52.5 percent. He is averaging 199.6 yards per game. He ranks second behind USF's Walters in total offense at 214.9 yards per game. Along with his 1,397 pass yards, he has 107 yards rushing. Trautman's main passing target is Dakota Larson who is fifth in the NSIC with 34 catches for 301 yards.
 
At running back, NSU is led by Isaiah Cherrier, who is fifth in the NSIC with 105 carries for 467 yards and three TDs. He averages 77.8 yards per game. The NSU defense is seventh in the NSIC allowing 331.6 yards per game. They rank sixth in the NSIC by allowing 132.4 yards rushing per game and stand eighth against the pass with 199.1 yards per game.
 
#Cougars have 73 wins at DII level - playing 99th game
The University of Sioux Falls is 68-21 (.764) since joining the NSIC (66-18 in league games) and 73-25 (.745) all-time in NCAA DII. USF is 39-14 (.750) mark against South opponents and 27-4 (.871) vs. the North.
 
The Cougars are 31-10  (.756) in road NSIC games and 35-8  (.833) in home NSIC games. In North Division road games, the Cougars are 12-3 and 15-1 at home against NSIC North teams. USF stands 20-7 against South opponents at home and is 19-7 on the road. To top off the impressive number USF has 25 straight winning seasons, which ranks fourth across all NCAA divisions.

#USF has scored in 168 straight games
Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 3,413 points in 98 games or 34.83 ppg. USF has scored in 168 straight games, which dates 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. 
 
#Year 100  for USF Football
It is year 100 for University of Sioux Falls Football. As the Cougars start the milestone year, they do it with 448 wins in school history, a 25-year streak of winning seasons, which ranks among the best across all NCAA divisions, and four postseason appearances in the past five years. The Cougars have won four NAIA national titles, an NSIC crown in 2016 when they finished 11-0 in conference play and have totaled 20 league titles.
 
#Former Cougars standouts Gardeck and Pipkins playing in the NFL
For the 1st time, two former University of Sioux Falls Football position standouts have made NFL rosters in the same year (2019). Both five-time All-American offensive tackle Trey Pipkins and four-time All-American linebacker Dennis Gardeck have the final NFL 53-man rosters.
 
Pipkins, who was a third-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Chargers, and Dennis Gardeck, who signed as a free agent a year ago with the Arizona Cardinals and will make an NFL roster for the second straight year, have made the grade as NFL players. Pipkins, who finished his career at USF in 2018 and was a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award while earning the five All-American honors, played the 2017 season at USF with Gardeck as the Cougars made the NCAA DII playoffs. Last spring, Pipkins becomes the first-ever USF position player and second overall drafted into the NFL. Pipkins was chose with the 27th pick of the third round and 91st selection overall. Brian Hansen, the director of the FCA in South Dakota, was drafted as a punter by the New Orleans Saints in the ninth round of the 1984 draft, which was some 35 years ago. With his selection, Pipkins was the highest draft pick (third round) of any school in the area (USD, SDSU, Augustana, etc.). Pipkins was one of the elite players in DII in 2017-18 when USF was 16-7 overall and made a playoff appearance in NCAA DII in 2017. Not only was Pipkins, USF's first-ever position player to be drafted but was the first-ever USF student-athlete to compete at the NFL Scouting Combine. Pipkins, a three-time All-NSIC selection, is one of five former NCAA DII football student-athletes and the only player from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference selected for the NFL Scouting Combine in March in Indianapolis.  One of the nation's top offensive lineman in 2018 Pipkins was a USF sports management graduate (2017) and played a key role as USF earned three postseason berths and compiled a 37-11 overall record during his time with the USF program. Pipkins finished third in the balloting for the Upshaw Award (DII Offensive Lineman of the Year).
 
Gardeck played one season at USF after transferring from West Virginia State. In that season he was named the NSIC Newcomer of the Year and to five All-American Teams. He was selected a finalist for Cliff Harris Award (Small College Defensive Player of the Year) and nominated for the Harlon Hill Trophy as DII Player of the Year in 2017.  He has made two tackles this season both solo stops. In 20 NFL games, he has 10 tackles. Originally signed by the Cardinals as a rookie free agent out of Sioux Falls in 2018, Gardeck appeared in all 16 games in his debut season. He was one of four rookies who appeared in all 16 games for Arizona in '18, joining C Mason Cole, RB Chase Edmonds and LB Ezekiel Turner.  He led all NFL rookies with 388 total snaps on special teams in 2018. Among all NFL players, only Jets WR Terrence Brooks (395) played more snaps on special teams last season. Gardeck the 2018 season with eight special teams tackles and scored his first career TD in the season finale at Seattle when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone. It was his first TD since his senior year at Crystal Lake (IL) South High School when he returned a fumble 80 yards for a TD.