SIOUX FALLS - The University of Sioux Falls Football Team (7-2, 7-2 NSIC), which features the nation's No. 1 defense, will host No. 4 Minnesota State (9-0, 9-0 NSIC) in a critical Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division matchup at 1 pm on Saturday (Nov. 9) on Senior Day at Bob Young Field. Fans can also 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.

After opening the season 2-2, the Cougars have won five straight games with their most recent victory, a 47-10, road decision over Upper Iowa. In that game, USF picked up its 450th program win. It was also USF's 75th win in 100 games at the NCAA DII level. Prior to the game, USF will recognize its 26 seniors for their contributions and dedication to the program.

Entering play today USF has a 72-10 record at Bob Young Field since beginning play at the stadium, which is named for USF's career wins leader Bob Young, in 2007.  USF is 3-1 at home and have won the last two games by a combined 73-3 tally. Overall, USF has a combined 120-to-35 scoring margin over opponents at home. 

The Cougars, which will be led by head coach Jon Anderson (23-9) enter the game with a five-game winning streak after the 47-10 win over Upper Iowa when the Cougars generated 331 yards rushing and 454 yards of total offense. 

MSU, directed by head coach Todd Hoffner, is 9-0 with a 32-game NSIC winning streak. The Mavericks, which sit atop the NSIC standings and have clinched a tie for the overall league title, last lost on Oct. 29, 2016 to Sioux Falls in Mankato, 24-14, as the Cougars won the NSIC with an 11-0 mark before finishing the season 12-1 with the program's first-ever playoff win at the DII level.  MSU comes into the game after a 62-7 win over Wayne State.

Both teams will enter the game ranked in the Super Four Region rankings with MSU at No. 2 and USF at No. 8. Therefore, it sets up as a crucial matchup with playoff implications. USF has last win over a ranked opponent was the 34-3 home verdict against Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 19. Prior to that USF's last win over a ranked opponent was against No. 7/8 UMD on the road. USF took a 26-7 win in Duluth. 

#USF clinches 26th straight winning season

After a 35-13 win at Northern State, the Cougars clinched a 26th straight winning season, which is a mark fourth best across all divisions. 
 

Active Streaks

1. Linfield (Ore.), 63 years, 1956 (6-1 this year)

2. Mount Union (Ohio), 41 years, 1979 (8-0 this year)

3. Wartburg (Iowa), 27 years, 1993 (8-0 this year)

4. USF, 26 years, 1994, (7-2 this year)

5. Hobart (Ind.), 22 years, 1997 (6-2 this year)

6. Wheaton (Ill.), 21 years, 1998 (8-0 this year)

7. LSU, 21 years, 1999 (8-0 this year)

8. Oklahoma, 21 years, 1999 (7-1 this year)

 The second NCAA Regional football rankings have been released and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) has four teams ranked in Super Region Four. Minnesota State (9-0) ranks second while Augustana (7-2) is seventh, Sioux Falls (7-2) is eighth and Winona State (7-2) is ninth in the second of three rankings. The NSIC, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), the Lone Star Conference (LSC) and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) make up the 41-team NCAA Super Region Four this season.

Super Region Four Rankings 

Rank School (Conf) In-Reg DII Rec

1 Tarleton State (LSC) 7-0 7-0

2 Minnesota State (NSIC) 9-0   9-0

3 Colo. Sch. of Mines (RMAC) 9-0 9-0

4 Colorado St.-Pueblo (RMAC) 8-1 8-1

5 Angelo State (RMAC) 8-1 8-1

6 Tex. A&M-Commerce (LSC) 6-2 6-2

7 Augustana (NSIC) 7-2 7-2

8 Sioux Falls (NSIC) 7-2 7-2

9 Winona State (NSIC) 7-2 7-2

10. Dixie State (RMAC) 7-2 7-2

The Division II Football Championship provides for a maximum field of 28 teams, seven from each of the four super regions. Twelve (12) first-round games will be conducted on the campus of one of the competing institutions. The top seed in each selection region (super regional) will receive a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The NCAA DII Football selection show is set to air on NCAA.com on Sun., Nov. 17.  

#Walters continues to lead NSIC in total offense 

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 ranks third in passing. Walters also leads the NSIC in completion percentage (60.0 percent) and leads the NSIC with 15 TD passes. A Dodge City, Kan., senior, Walters has completed 126-of-210 passes with 15 TDs against two interceptions and is second in pass efficiency ranking of 153.8 (MSU's Ryan Schlichte, 1st, 157.8). With 2,172 total yards or 241.2 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.  Walters had just two interceptions this season and a pass streak of 109 straight passes without a pick. One of the league's top dual-threat signal callers, Walters has 79 carries for 367 yards (4.6 avg.) with seven TDs this season. He has 120 carries for 494 yards and nine TDs in his career.  As for his career passing numbers, he is now 272-of-434 for 62.7 percent for 3,837 yards with 29 TDs and nine interceptions in his career. He ranks ninth in school history in passing yards 3,837 and is 12th in total offense with 4,370 yards (613 plays, 7.13 yards per play – fourth all-time).  

#USF ranks 1st  in NCAA DII in total defense  

Coordinated by third-year coach Nick Benedetto, USF's defense is the top unit in NCAA DII at 214.3 yards per game. MSU is ranked second in total defense in DII at 215.6 yards. Neither team has allowed 2000 yards in total offense and USF has allowed 11 total fewer yards (1929) to MSU's (1940) but has faced 38 more plays for a 3.5 vs. 3.7 per play mark. This is a matchup of two teams that sit at the top or near the top of most team stats. MSU ranks first in total offense at 530.9 yards with USF second with 441.4 ypg. In scoring, MSU is first at 46.9 ppg and USF second at 35.9 ppg. In defensive scoring, MSU leads the NSIC at 8.6 per game and the Cougars rank third at 13.3 ppg. In pass defense, USF is second at 150.2 ypg and MSU third at 154.8. The two teams also sit at the top of rushing offense with MSU at 304.2 ypg and USF second with 234.4.

#MSU owns a 7-2 series lead against UIU

MSU leads USF in the all-time series, 7-2 with a 31-21 win over USF on Nov. 3, 2018 in Mankato, Minn. In 2017 at Bob Young Field, MSU rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final five minutes to take a 27-23 victory over USF. Three years ago (2016), USF handed MSU, a 24-14 setback en route to win the NSIC Championship. In 2015, the Mavericks recorded a 44-3 victory at USF 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. 

#Johnson leads the USF receiving group 

In the receiving corps, junior Karnell Collier has accumulated 35 catches for 495 yards and a TD. 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 37 catches for 599 yards and six TDs. He averages 16.2 yards per catch, which is second in the NSIC, and 66.6 yards per game places him seventh in the league. In his career, Johnson has 59 catches for 1,006  yards and 10  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 804 all purpose yards this season (599 receiving, 118 punt returns, 87 kick off returns) for 89.3 per game.

#Grantham and company continue to shine on defense

On defense, senior Brody Grantham leads USF with 47 tackles. He has 31 solo stops, 6.0 TFLs, an interception and a pass breakup in his nine games on the balanced defense employed by defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto. In his career, he has played 39 games with 149 tackles which included 82 solo stops. He has accumulated 15.5 tackles for loss with 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Senior Ryan Nieman registered his seventh career interception  against NSU and first-ever defensive TD against U-Mary with a pick-six 37-yard return in the second quarter of a 39-0 win. He has four picks for 141 yards and a TD. In his career, he has seven interceptions. He has 33 tackles this year with 19 solos. He has 60 tackles with 41 solos and eight pass breakups in his career.  Junior defensive end Joey Wehrkamp has 28 tackles with a team-high 8.0 TFLs, four sacks and now has totaled 83 tackles with 19 TFLs and 8.5 sacks in his career. Also for USF, junior linebacker Harvey (Michael) Enalls has 112 career stops, 10.0 TFLs and seven sacks. He has 32 tackles(20 solos), five TFLs and 4.5 sacks in 2019.  Plus he has three fumble recoveries which is tied for the league lead and ranks second in NCAA DII.  Senior safety Tucker Stout has 37 tackles and 26 solo stops with two interceptions in 2019 as he has built his career numbers to 117 tackles with 83 solo stops and four interceptions, two TD interceptions returns and a fumble recovery.  Stout has TD interception returns in back-to-back weeks. Senior cornerback Parker Gregston has 29 tackles with 24 solo stops, two interceptions and 1.5 tackles for loss in 2019. With 12 passes defended, Gregston ranks second in the NSIC. In his career, he has 91 tackles with 62 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, sack, 23 passes defended, 17 pass breakups and six interceptions.

#Reisdorfer leads the NSIC in scoring and ranks 4th in rushing

In the backfield, redshirt sophomore Thuro Reisdorfer has 119 carries for 863 yards and 12 rushing TDs or 95.9 yards per game, which ranks fourth in the NSIC in rushing yards per game.  With the 863 yards, Reisdorfer is second overall in the NSIC. Against Upper Iowa last week, he had 16 carries for 157 yards and TD runs of 58 and six yards. It was his third straight game of 100 yards or more and fourth overall this year and in his career.Reisdorfer's 98-yard TD run against Northern State is the longest offensive play in the NSIC and second longest in NCAA DII (99 yards, Daniel McCants, Tarleton State).Reisdorfer leads the NSIC in scoring with 15 total TDs for 10.0 points per game. He established a career high with 171 yards on 13 carries and two TDs against UMD. He also had 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 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 10th  in the NSIC in rushing at 57.0 yards per game He has 91 carries for 513 yards for 5.6 per carry and has three TDs with a long of 51.  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 three receptions for 15 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 five 100-yard rushing games this year. In the past 20 games, USF has 18 100-yard or better rushing performances. 

#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. 

#Minnesota State leads the league in offense

Minnesota State has put together a 32-game winning streak against NSIC opponents on the backs on its stout offense and defense. In pushing to 9-0 this year, the Mavericks, directed by head coach Todd Hoffner, have been ranked in the top four all-season and dropped from No. 3 to No. 4 this week in the AFCA poll despite a 62-7 win over Wayne State. However MSU is ranked No. 3 by the D2Football.com poll. The Mavericks close the regular season on the road at USF  and then go to Upper Iowa. Offensively, the Mavericks are led by running back Nate Gunn, a senior with 1,043 rushing yards and a league-high 15 rushing TDs. Freshman Kaleb Sleezer has 499 yards on the ground. Senior quarterback Ryan Schlichte has the league's top pass efficiency ranking at 157.3 and has 953 yards with 12 TDs. Junior JD Ekowa has 754 yards passing and five scores. MSU's primary target in the pass game is senior Shane Zylstra who has 51 catches for 1,049 yards and 12 TDs.

#Cougars own 322-to-120 scoring edge

USF has outscored opponents, 75-19, in the first quarter and 133-to-54 in the second quarter for a 208-to-73 halftime advantage. The Cougars also have a 61-19 edge in the third quarter and 53-to-28 in the fourth quarter. 

#Cougars have 75 wins at DII level - playing 100th game

The University of Sioux Falls is 70-21 (.769) since joining the NSIC (68-18 in league games) and 75-25 (.750) all-time in NCAA DII. USF is 40-14 (.741) mark against South opponents and 28-4 (.875) vs. the North. The Cougars are 33-10  (.767) in road NSIC games and 35-8  (.833) in home NSIC games. In North Division road games, the Cougars are 13-3 and 15-1 at home against NSIC North teams. USF stands 20-7 against South opponents at home and is 20-7 on the road.

#USF has scored in 170 straight games

Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 3,495 points in 100 games or 34.95 ppg. USF has scored in 170 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.

#USF will recognize seniors prior to kickoff

USF will recognize its senior class, which has helped USF to four straight winning seasons and a four-year mark of 35-10 with an NSIC title in 2016 and two playoff appearances. Here is a review of the USF seniors -

Justin Barlow (6-7, 241) is a tight end from Los Angeles, Calif. A social science major, he is the son of Harold and Lois Barlow.  

Kyle Barnetche (6-2, 240), a tight end from Susanville, Calif., is the  son of Maurice and Stacey Barnetche. A criminal justice major, he has recorded five catches for 27 yards in his two years at USF.

Jared Brito (6-2, 239), a defensive end from Covina, Calif., is the son of David Brito and Emeli Bernal Brito. A biology major, he was academic All-NSIC in 2018. Brito has 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his career.

Noah Butler (6-2, 174), a quarterback from Aurora, Colo., is a sports management major. He has rushed for 10 yards and threw for nine yards by completing 3-of-3 passes.

Logan Dykstra (6-3, 248) is a defensive end from Hull, Iowa. He is the son of Lon and Varya Dykstra and a graduate student in business. Dykstra has 88 career tackles, 14.5 TFLs, four sacks, two FR and played in 42 games. He was named All-NSIC and is a two-time team captain.

Brody Grantham (6-2, 236) is a team captain and linebacker from Hayti, S.D. The son of Wesley and Cindy Grantham, he is a biology  and chemistry major. Named All-NSIC a year ago, he is a two-time Academic All-NSIC honor. He has accumulated 149 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions for 48 yards, two fumble recoveries and seven passes defended.

Parker Gregston (6-2, 191) is a cornerback and nursing major from Arvada, Colo. He is the son of Amy and Brian Gregston. During his career, he has six interceptions for 84 yards, 17 pass breakups, 23 passes defended, 83 tackles and a blocked kick.

Tyler Heredia (6-1, 297) of Minnetonka, Minn., is the son of Shelley and Tony Heredia. A biology major, he is a two-time Academic All-NSIC honoree. He has 19 career tackles and has played in 29 games.

Jake Hudson (6-4, 250) a defensive end from Mission Viejo, Calif., is the son of Blake and Allison Hudson. A political science major, he has 15 tackles, four TFLs, and two sacks in his only season at USF.

Nate Johnson (6-3, 203) is a senior wide receiver from Vista, Calif. A criminal justice major, he is the son of Nicole McCurtis. Johnson has 37 catches for 599 yards and six TDs this year and 57 career receptions for 1,006 receiving yards. 

Nolan Kern (6-4, 322), is a three-year starter at guard from Eau Claire, Wis. The son of Richard Kern and Susan Kern, he is a pre-law major. Named All-NSIC second team in 2018., he has averaged a 80 percent grade over three seasons with a team-high 247 knockdowns.

Winston Maxwell (5-6, 161), is a running back from Albany, Ga. The son of Wayne and Lorena Maxwell, he is a biology major. During his career at USF, he has 160 carries for 635 yards with three TDs.

Yvan Medard (6-4, 244), a defensive lineman from Brooklyn, NY, is the son of Rose Medard and Alex Medard. He is a business major.

Ryan Nieman (6-2, 188), a safety and business administration major from Mentone, Calif., has accumulated 60 tackles, two TFLs, eight pass breakups and seven interceptions for 151 yards with a TD.

Aaron Ortiz (6-3, 250), a defensive end from Miami, Fla., is the son of Jessica Padilla. The marketing and criminal justice major has 16 tackles, three sacks and three TFLs in his career. 

Elijah Perine (6-2, 283), an offensive guard from Milwaukee, Wis., is a three-year starter for USF.  The son of Alex Perine and Ted and Tiffany McDaniel, Perine is enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program. Thirty six times has had a grade of 70 percent or more with 13 games of 80 percent or more. He has 205 career knockdowns.

Ricky Quintana (5-10, 173), is a defensive back from Sioux City, Iowa, enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program. He is the son of Rick and Lupe Quintana.

Joe Rodino (6-0, 209), a biology-pre-dental major from Omaha, Neb., is the son of Tom and Pam Rodino. Twice, the linebacker has been named Academic All-NSIC. He has 47 career tackles.

Isaac Schubert (5-6, 176) is an exercise science major from Madi-

son, S.D. The son of Daryl and Jane Schubert, he is a two-time academic All-NSIC honoree. 

Zebediah Selu (5-11, 218), the son of Laloifi Selu, is a business major from Pearl City, Hawaii. A linebacker, he has 23 career stops, 2.5 TFLs, sack and an interception for 41 yards.

Tucker Stout (6-0, 207), is a safety from Spokane, Wash. The son of Jen Stout, he is a two time Academic All-NSIC who was honorable mention All-NSIC a year ago. A two-time team captain and media studies major, he has 117 tackles, four interceptions, including two returns for TDs, and a fumble recovery in his career.

Max Sturdevant (6-4, 224), the son of Tim and Nancee Sturdevant, is a business major from Sioux Falls, S.D. A linebacker, he is a two-time Academic All-NSIC honoree. He has 33 career tackles, 4.5 TFLs, sack and interception.

Caden Walters (6-2, 205), a quarterback and captain from Dodge City, Kan., is the son of Cody and Kerry Walters. A business major, he has accumulated 129 carries for 530 yards and nine TDs rushing while completing 272-of-434 for 62.7 percent for 3,823 yards with 29 TDs and nine interceptions in his career. He ranks ninth in school history in passing yards and 12th in total offense with 4,370 yards (613  plays, 7.12 yards per play – fourth all-time). 

Jamal Wooten (6-0, 262) is a tight end from Kansas City, Mo. The son of James and Michelle Wooten, he has 17 games played for the Cougars. Wooten is enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program.

Nick (Zeus) Zimmerman (6-1, 272), is a defensive lineman and psychology major from Oceanside, Calif. The son of Maggie and Clinton Zimmerman, he is a  psychology major. He has 29 career tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and two pass breakups.

Nick Zimmerman (6-5, 296) is a captain and center from Rosendale, Wisc. The son of Jim and Fran Zimmerman, he is a graduate student in the Master of Business Administration program. A three-time Academic All-NSIC selection, Zimmerman was named honorable mention All-NSIC in 2018. He has graded at 83 percent with 224 knockdowns.