SIOUX FALLS -- After recording a 25th straight winning season, the University of Sioux Falls Football Team (0-0, 0-0 NSIC South),  directed by head coach Jon Anderson, will open the 2019 season against Concordia-St. Paul at 6 pm Thursday, Sept. 5 at Sea Foam Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. The Cougars will return for their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. against Winona State on Military Appreciate Day.

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A year ago, USF, which returns 20 starters and received votes in the 2019 AFCA Preseason Coaches Poll, finished 7-4 overall and 5-2 and tied for second in the NSIC South.  USF opened the season 4-1 before a two-game winning streak and closed with a 3-1 record. In its four losses by a combined 18 points, USF led in every game. CSP was 5-6 overall and 3-4 for fifth in the NSIC South.  The Golden Bears, led by head coach Shannon Courier, closed the season with a 3-3 record, including a 24-20 loss to Winona State in the season finale.

USF, which ranked first in the NSIC and 19th in DII in total offense at 466.0 yards per game, will be led by the return of Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Gabriel Watson, who led the nation with 177.9 yards per game with 1,957 rushing yards and 26 TDs. QB Caden Walters led the league in efficiency (155.8) and had 14 TDs and 2,033 yards. USF returns 10 starters on defense including All-NSIC linebacker Brody Grantham and HM All-American and All-NSIC cornerback Hakeem Johnson.

#CSP Breakdown -- CSP will be led by quarterback Maxon Hutton, who was 36-of-73 with four TDs and six interceptions. He threw for 421 yards in nine games with two starts. Running back Laquan Preston had 704 yards rushing and a TD a year ago. On defense, Currier's troops will be led by All-American defensive end Chris Garrett who had 16.5 sacks and 19.5 TFLs among his 53 tackles.

#Cougars 4-0 in Thursday season openers at DII level - For the fourth straight year, USF will open the season with a Thursday night game. The Cougars stand 4-0 in games to open the season on Thursday night.  USF is 3-0 in road Thursday night openers. In 2012, the Cougars began their foray in DII with a 32-19 win over No. 16 St. Cloud State in St. Cloud when current head coach Jon Anderson was the defensive coordinator. USF also had wins on Thursday in 2018, 2017 and 2016.

A year ago QB Caden Walters hit tight end Clint Sigg with a game-winning 26-yard TD pass as No. 20 USF defeated CSP in dramatic fashion to open the season at Bob Young Field. In the game All-American and Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Gabriel Watson introduced himself in big fashion with 27 carries for 200 yards and three TDs.

In 2017, the Cougars, ranked No. 17 in DII, put together one of the all-time great defensive efforts in a 26-7 Thursday season opening win over No. 8 Minnesota Duluth on the road.  In that road win, the Cougars stopped UMD's 22-game home winning streak with a defensive performance that included eight sacks, 14 TFLs and allowing just 213 total yards. USF also scored a defensive touchdown (Derek Landis 17-yard fumble recovery in first quarter) and a special teams score (Jason Towns 42-yard punt return).

On Sept. 1, 2016, the Cougars opened the season with a 49-13 road win over St. Cloud State at Husky Stadium. In the win, which was the first of 11 straight conference wins as the Cougars won the league title for the first time, included 585 yards in total offense with 333 on the ground. Max Mickey at 178 yards rushing and a 20-yard TD reception.

#100 years of football -- Football began at USF in 1902 with a 33-0 loss to the University of South Dakota. Since then the Cougars have recorded 443 victories, won 20 conference titles, four national championships at the NAIA level and completed a successful transition to DII. USF has 25 straight winning season with seven in a row at the DII level. In addition, USF has made three playoff appearances at the DII level and reached the "Sweet 16" in the NSIC-winning 2016 campaign.

#Home Openers -- Since 2000, USF has a 17-2 record in season openers with losses in 2011 and 2013. Over the same time period, USF is 18-1 in home openers which comes this year against Winona State on Military Appreciation Day on Sept. 14. USF stands . At the DII level, USF is 6-1 in season openers and 3-1 in road NSIC openers with the only loss (32-7) to UMD in 2013. USF has won five straight season openers and stand 34-32-4 in opening games since 1950.
#USF vs. Concordia St. Paul - Series info - USF leads 12-1
#Last Time -  With a 26-yard TD pass from Caden Walters to Clint Sigg, No.. 20 USF rallied in the final seconds to win a dramatic, 27-24 decision  over the Golden Bears at Bob Young Field. on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018.  Walters, who took over at quarterback at halftime, completed 7-of-12 passes for 127 yards with a TD and interception. Sigg had four catches for 57 yards and the game-winning TD, the first of his career. The running of Gabriel Watson was a huge factor as the Cougars rolled up 404 yards on 66 plays, including 208 yards rushing on 44 carries. In his debut at USF, Watson had 27 carries for 200 yards and three TDs. Watson, who scored on runs of 13, 35 yards and nine yards, recorded the most yards in a debut at USF in the school's NCAA DII era. Junior linebacker Brody Grantham led USF with 6.5 tackles while redshirt sophomore Nate Durfee added four tackles and an interception, which was the first of his career. Redshirt sophomore Joey Wehrkamp added three tackles and two tackles for loss as USF finished with five TFLs on the game.

#Series Record  - USF has won 12 games straight in the series. After the Golden Bears won the first-ever meeting (24-16) in 1971, the Cougars started the winning streak with a 44-6 decision in 1972. This will be the first game against CSP in which USF has not been ranked since 2013.

Game-By-Game Results
Aug. 30, 2018 -  #20 USF 27 Concordia-St. Paul 24, Bob Young Field
Oct. 21, 2017 -- #15 USF 27 Concordia-St. Paul 9, Sea Foam Stadium
Oct. 22, 2016 -- #6 USF 51 Concordia-St. Paul 17, Bob Young Field,
Oct. 31, 2015 --  #10 USF 49 Concordia-St. Paul 0, Sea Foam Stadium
Oct. 4, 2014 -- #21 USF 38 Concordia St. Paul 9, Bob Young Field
Oct. 19, 2013 -- USF 47 Concordia St. Paul 7, Sea Foam Stadium,
Oct. 13, 2012 -- USF 31 Concordia St. Paul 23, Sea Foam Stadium
Sept. 10, 1983 -- USF 30 Concordia St. Paul 8, Howard Wood Field
Sept. 11, 1982 -- USF 26 Concordia St. Paul 7, St. Paul, Minn.
1974 -- USF 36 Concordia St. Paul 6
1973 --  USF 23 Concordia St. Paul 0
1972 -- USF 44 Concordia St. Paul 6
1971 -- Concordia St. Paul 24 USF 16

#Coo Tracks - USF winning at .747 at DII -- USF is  61-16 since joining the NSIC and 68-23 (.747) all-time in NCAA DII. USF is 37-12 (.755) mark against South opponents and 24-4 (.857) vs. the North. The Cougars are 29-9  (.769) in road NSIC games and 32-7  (.815) in home NSIC games. In North Division road games, the Cougars are 11-3     overall and 13-1 at home against NSIC North teams. USF stands 19-6 against South opponents at home and is 18-6 on the road.

#Pipkins and Gardeck make NFL rosters -- For the first time in school history, two USF position players have earned spots on NFL rosters. In his second season, Gardeck, a four-time All-American at USF, has earned a backup role at linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals which he signed with in 2018. Pipkins is in a backup spot at tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers, which drafted the five-time USF All-American offensive tackle with the 91st pick overall (27th pick, 3rd round) in the NFL Draft.

#Season Preview -- It is year 100 for University of Sioux Falls Football. As the Cougars start the milestone year, they do it with 443 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.

Beginning in 1902 and continuing to now, the program has thrived on high expectations through a rich tradition heaped in achievement and excellence both on the field and off.
According to third-year USF Head Coach Jon Anderson, expectations for the 2019 team remain high as the Cougars look to compete for an NSIC title and a berth in the postseason.

"We are excited about what our guys did in the offseason," said Anderson, who has a two-year mark of 16-7 as he begins year three with the Cougars. "We accomplished a lot this  summer in strength and conditioning and with leadership. With number of returners and seniors coming back, leadership has been good. The challenge is not just a year older but a year better.," he said.

25 straight winning seasons including all seven at DII level
Coming off a 7-4 season in 2018, USF put together its 25th straight winning seasons which ranks the best in DII and fourth best across all divisions of NCAA. USF has had at least six wins in every season in the NSIC and a winning run in DII of eight years, including the transition year of 5-4 from NAIA to DII in 2011.  The Cougars began NSIC play in 2012 and had a 9-2 mark while earning their first DII ranking (as high as No. 17). In 2014 USF opened 10-0 and later advanced to the Mineral Water Bowl, which they won 42-10 over Central Oklahoma of the MIAA. The Cougars earned its first playoff berth in 2015 (9-3 season) and won the NSIC with an unbeaten record (11-0, 12-1 overall) while earning a first-ever DII playoff win as USF advanced to Sweet 16. In 2017, the Cougars had the league's top defenses and was ranked in the top five nationally in a 9-3 season which included another playoff berth in Anderson's first season as head coach. In 2018, the Cougars finished 7-4 with a 5-2 mark tied for second in the NSIC South.

But while USF continuing their winning ways in 2018, the team did not meet their expectations. The Cougars have reached the NCAA DII postseason in four of the past five years and earned NCAA DII playoff berths in three of the past four seasons.

While the 2018 season was one of enormous success, it was mixed with some tough luck. The Cougars lost four games by a combined 18 points and three by a total of eight.

"We feel like we let a few games get away from us and aim to finish stronger this year," said Johnson. In their losses, USF led every game at some point.

The offense, which is directed by third-year coordinator Jim Chapin, has nine starters returning to a unit that led the NSIC in total offense and ranked 19th in NCAA DII with 466.0 per game. Cougars ranked fifth in the league with 33.5 points per game and led the NSIC in yards per play at 7.0, which ranked a yard better than any other team in the league. At 6.0 rushing yards per carry, USF bettered the rest of the league by at 1.1 yards per carry (Minnesota State, 4.9 yards per carry). USF also had the best per yard average on passing at 8.9 per play, which was a half-yard better than second place Minnesota State at 8.2 yards per play.

Led by a stellar offensive front and Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Gabriel Watson, the Cougars put up 274.2 yards rushing per game, which not only led the NSIC but ranked fifth in NCAA DII. It is the second time since 2016 that the Cougars ranked top five nationally in rushing.

Watson returns as Harlon Hill finalist - national leader in rushing

As Watson returns for his senior season, he will try and build on record-setting numbers. He will be one of the favorites to compete for the Harlon Hill Trophy again after he set eight school marks and led NCAA DII in rushing yards per game at 177.9 yards per game while also hold the nation's lead with 14.2 points per game as he scored 26 rushing TDs, which ranks second all-time at USF.  He had 269 carries for 1,957 yards, or 7.3 yards per carry. Watson, who had a school record 11 straight 100-yard rushing games and three over 200 with a school record 320 on 19 carries with five TDs against MSU Moorhead on the road, carried a 7.3 per carry average. That mark by Watson was 2.2 yards better than any other NSIC running back and ranked sixth in NCAA DII.

"Gabe is a talented player who excels on the off the field. He has done what it takes in the offseason to take off where he finished last season," said Anderson of his star running back who has been nominated for the National Football Foundation Scholarship.

USF will also look for support in the rushing game from three others including redshirt sophomore Thuro Reisdorfer (6-1, 206, Sioux Falls, S.D., 22 carries for 102 yards, 191 all-purpose yards), freshman Ja'Tai Jenkins (5-10, 189, Goodyear, Ariz.) and senior Winston Maxwell (5-6, 161, Albany, Ga., career- 93 carries for 392 yards and three TDs).

Senior quarterback Caden Walters (6-3, 203, Dodge City, Kan.) completed 146-of-224 passes (65.2 percent) for 2,033 passing yards, 14 TDs. Walters led the NSIC in pass efficiency at 155.8, and passing percentage (65.2) and threw just seven interceptions for a 2:1 TD to interception ratio. Walters, who ranked seventh in the league in total offense at 198.0 yards per game (2,178 yards on 274 plays) will direct the offense after starting 10 games a year ago. The backup spot has been won by redshirt junior Mitchell Martin (6-3, 202, Strasburg, Colo., 6-13-82 yards with no touchdowns and one interception) with redshirt senior Noah Butler (6-2, 174, Aurora, Colo.) in the third spot. Also competing for time is redshirt freshman Josh Swanson (6-4, 194, Pewaukee, Wisc.).

The offensive front will be experienced at center and two guard positions. However, USF will have to replace two of the best offensive tackles in school history. Trey Pipkins was a five-All American who earned an invitation to the NFL Combine before the Upshaw Award finalist was picked with the 27th pick of the third round (91st overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers, has graduated along with his bookend at tackle, Adam Sheffield, who was an honorable mention All-American and had a rookie camp invite with the Indianapolis Colts.

Second-team All-NSIC guard Nolan Kern (6-4, 322, Eau Claire, Wisc., 163 career knockdowns and over 80 percent career grade) will be among three starters returning up front on offense. Also back will be Honorable Mention All-NSIC center Nick Zimmerman (6-5, 296, Rosendale, Wisc., career grade of 83 percent and 185 career knockdowns) and two-year starter Elijah Perine (6-2, 283, Mequon, Wisc., 154 knockdowns and 79 percent grade). At offensive tackle Jackson Wright (Redshirt sophomore, 6-6, 288) and Brennan Moran (Redshirt Freshman, 6-5, 285, North Sioux City, S.D.) wiill. start. Redshirt junior Noah Daniel (6-7, 170, Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio) and redshirt freshman Terrell Connor (6-8, 280, Owatonna, Minn.) will add depth to the tackle spot.

USF will be deep at tight end with All-NSIC senior tight end Clint Sigg (6-5, 246, Longmont, Colo., 39 career receptions for 524 yards with 5 TDs), who had 26 receptions for 351 yards and four TDs, including a game-winning grab in the closing seconds of a comeback win over Concordia St. Paul in the 2018 home opener.

"In my opinion, Clint Sigg is one of the premier tight ends in the league and country," said Anderson of Sigg, who averaged 31.9 yards per game and 13.5 yards per catch. Redshirt sophomore Ben Sokup (Altoona, Wisc.) will back up Sigg and play in certain passing or early downs. Also back for USF will be seniors Kyle Barnetche (6-2, 240, Susanville, Calif., five catches for 27 yards) and Jamal Wooten (6-0, 262, Kansas City, Mo.) as well as senior Justin Barlow (6-7, 241, Los Angles, Calif.).

At wideout, USF is deep and talented, noted Anderson. "Everyone understands their roles and have a great connection with Caden (Walters)," he said.

Redshirt junior Ty Smith, redshirt sophomore Jermaine Broadnax, junior Karnell Collier and All-NSIC WR/KR Nate Johnson are part of a strong core of wideouts.

"Ty has worked really hard," said Anderson. He had some great games a year ago and comes to work every day." Smith has accumulated 61 career receptions for 857 yards and four TDs with 20 starts in 22 games. He owns two 100-yard receiving games with 110 yards and five receptions with a TD against Minnesota State in 2017 his career best. A year ago, Smith, who has had at least two catches 14 times in his career, had 27 receptions for 361 yards and a TD.

Johnson (6-3, 203, Vista, Calif.) is a dynamic receiver and return specialist. "Nate is so explosive and a big play kid who we welcome back with open arms," said Anderson of Johnson, was named to the All-NSIC second team as a special teams performer. He had 22 receptions for 395 yards and four TDS while rolling up 894 all-purpose yards. Johnson had 13 kickoff returns for 362 yards, which including a thrilling 85-yard kickoff return just before halftime against MSU Moorhead in 2018. He also had 12 punt returns for 137 yards. Johnson had six receptions of 25 yards or more and a career-high of five catches for 94 yards in USF's 51-13 "Key to the City" victory against Augustana. Others in the receiving mix include redshirt sophomore Jermaine Broadnax (6-2, 189, Chicago, Ill., four catches for 25 yards), junior Karnell Collier (6-1, 174, Miami, Fla., 52 catches, 818 yards and five TDs with 1,037 all-purpose yards for Chasta College), redshirt junior Austin Vickers (5-10, 176, Broken Arrow, Okla.) and redshirt sophomore Ray'Sean Treadwell-Mason (6-3, 164, St. Paul, Minn.).

USF's defense returns 10 starters to unit that ranked 3rd in defensive scoring

Senior All-NSIC (2017) DE Logan Dykstra (6-3, 248, Hull, Iowa), who has 71 career tackles, 11.5 TFLs, three sacks, is among 10 returning starters on the USF defense, which ranked third in the NSIC in scoring defense (19.0 ppg) in 2018.

"We have a lot of experience back on defense and a group of leaders, who have worked hard this past spring and summer," noted Anderson. "I like the depth upfront, a solid linebacking group and an experienced secondary," he said.

USF has had strong numbers in two years under the direction of defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto. In 2018, USF was fourth in the NSIC and 54th in DII in total defense after allowing 338.0 yards per game. The Cougars ranked second in the NSIC and 31st in DII in turnover margin at plus-seven or .64 per game. USF was fourth in the league with 14 interceptions and fifth in pass efficiency defense at 114.5.  Benedetto's squad also ranked an impressive third in the NSIC and 21st in DII in red zone defense (.667) while ranking fifth in allowing just 214 first down including 73 on the ground.   

Dykstra, who was a team captain a year ago, leads a veteran group on the defensive front which count 10-11 guys who could play this year. Redshirt junior Joey Wehrkamp (6-3, 253, Sioux Falls, S.D.), who recorded 38 tackles with three tackles and eight TFLs along with three pass breakups., will be a force at defensive end opposite Dykstra. Also returning on the defensive front will be senior defensive end Aaron Ortiz (6-3, 296, Miami, Fla., 12T, sack) and newcomer Jake Hudson (Sr., 6-4, 250, Toledo transfer). Inside senior defensive tackle David Varges (Randolph, N.J., 31T, sack, 2 TFLs, FR), and senior defensive tackle Nick Zimmerman (6-1, 272, Oceanside, Calif., 17T, 2.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks) will be a load for offensive front.  Also upfront will redshirt senior Tyler Heredia (6-1, 297, Minnetonka, Minn., 17 career tackles – seven tackles and pass breakup in 2018). USF also features newcomers and senior defensive end Tristen Leiseth (6-2, 230, Hayti, S.D.), who transferred from FCS DI South Dakota State, redshirt freshman Amauri Grosskopf (6-4, 294, Beloit, Wis.) and redshirt sophomore Taj Wyatt (6-3, 263, Avon, Ohio, 12 tackles, seven solos and a pass breakup in eight games in 2018).

At linebacker, USF has a solid core, which should be among as solid a group as exists in the league.  All-NSIC redshirt senior linebacker Brody Grantham (6-2, 236, Hayti, S.D.), returns after registering 70 tackles, 35 solo stops, 7 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, fumble recovery and three passes defended. He has 102 career stops with 54 solos, 9.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries in 26 games. He has helped USF to a 28-8 mark in his three years at USF.  Honorable mention All-NSIC redshirt junior linebacker Harvey (Michael) Enalls  (6-2, 228, Sioux Falls, S.D.), had 64 tackles, 35 solo stops, 2.5 TFLs, sack, two pass breakups, fumble recovery a year ago. In two seasons (16-7 record), Enalls has accumulated 80 tackles, 47 solo stops, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and four or more tackles in a game 10 times. Also back will be senior linebacker Joe Rodino (6-0, 209, Omaha, Neb.), returns after missing most of last season (two games played before injury and 10 tackles, eight solo stops). He has 37 career tackles with 22 solo stops, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Rodino is in a battle with redshirt junior Jack Schelhaas (6-2, 209, Sioux Falls, S.D., 18 tackles, 10 solo stops) for the starting job at the other linebacker slot. Also expected to set action will be redshirt senior Max Sturdevant (6-4, 224, Sioux Falls, S.D., 14 tackles and nine solos with an interception in 2018), and redshirt freshman Cody Jantzen (6-4, 223, St. Germain, Wis.)

Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American, All-NSIC junior Hakeem Johnson (6-4, 200, Remington, Va.), who is one of the nation's best cover corners and had 25 tackles, interception, six PDs, and honorable mention All-NSIC free safety senior Tucker Stout (6-0, 207, Spokane, Wash.) lead a strong secondary. Stout, who served as a team captain a year ago recorded 53 tackles, two tackles for loss and 2 TFLs and a fumble recovery in 2018 and has 79 career tackles with 57 solo stops and made a tackle in 29 games. He has played in 33 straight games.

Others returning in the back half will be redshirt senior Parker Gregston (6-2, 191, Arvada, Colo.) had a big season as a junior when he just missed making all-league after accumulating 37 tackles, with a sack, six pass breakups, 10 passes defended and a team-high four interceptions which ranked sixth in the NSIC. He had a 75-yard pick six in USF's 51-13 "Key to the City" win over rival Augustana a year ago while returning a kickoff 56 yards for a TD against Wayne State. Gregston has 51 career stops with 41 solo tackles and played in 26 games. The secondary also includes junior strong safety Nate Durfee (6-0, 197, Sioux Falls, S.D.). Durfee had a big season in 2018 with 41 tackles, including 25 solo stops, TFL, interception plus two passes defended. He has 54 career stops and 29 solos. Durfee and senior defensive back Ryan Nieman (6-2, 188, Mentone, Calif.), who had 27 tackles with 22 solo stops, TFL, three interceptions and seven pass breakups, are in a battle for the starting strong safety spot. Redshirt sophomore Giovanni Purpura (6-2, 185, McHenry, Ill.) had seven tackles and pass breakup a year ago and will add depth to an experienced secondary. Redshirt freshman Edmond Nkwain (6-1, 186, Cottage Grove, Minn.) and junior college transfer Dorian Fedrick (6-2, 197, Rialto, Calif.) also add depth to the secondary.

Special Teams return experience
On special teams, USF will welcome back punter Thomas Chapin (6-3, 199, Fair Haven, N.J.), who also competed on USF's Track and Field squad in 2018 (javelin). A year ago, Chapin proved to be among the top punters in the league after hitting 37 punts for 1,465 yards or 39.6 yard average, which ranked fourth in the NSIC. Chapin, who had a career-best 72-yard punt in the "Key to the City" win over Augustana, received NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 54.0 yards per punt against Augustana. On the season, Chapin placed 14 punts inside the 20-yard line which was seventh in the NSIC.  Mason Laramie (6-3, 213, Schaumburg, Ill.), returns after converting 6-of-12 field goals and 37-of-43 extra points. He had a 56.9-yard kickoff average on 67 kicks as he helped USF to a 39.2 kick coverage net or third in the lead. He had 27 touchbacks on kickoffs. Dan Esparza (5-11, 150, Dallas, Texas) and Jack McCabe (6-2, 194, Rochester, Minn.) will also compete in the kicking game. Redshirt freshman CodyJantzen will handle deep snapping duties.