SIOUX FALLS -- In a battle of two teams picked in the preseason to finish near the top of the NSIC, University of Sioux Falls Football Team (0-1, 0-1 NSIC South) will host Winona State (1-0, 1-0 NSIC) at 1 pm today (Sept. 14) on Military Appreciation Day at Bob Young Field in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

USF will look to rebound after a season-opening loss on the road to Concordia-St. Paul while WSU will try to win a second straight after defeating Wayne State, 37-20, in Winona, Minn. A key player expected to take the field Saturday is nine-time All-American and Harlon Hill finalist Gabriel Watson, who sat out the opener. A year ago, he was the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year and led the nation in yards per game at 177.9 and touchdowns scored with 26. He had 269 carries for 1,957 yards as he set a USF school record. Watson averaged 7.3 yards per carry last year while rushing for 100 yards in 11 straight games, which was another of the eight school records he set a year ago.

Winona State may be without their star running back Javian Roebuck who started a week ago but left during the day. He had 43 yards rushing. He was not listed on the WSU two-deep.

Cougars stand 69-9 at Bob Young Field
USF, which was 5-1 at home in 2018, began playing at the "Bob" in 2007, beginning a run of 32 straight wins with a 50-6 victory on Sept. 1, 2007 over Dana. In that first season the Cougars were 8-0 at the "Bob." In fact, USF won its first 32 straight at Bob Young Field before falling to Washburn, 33-17 in the 2011 season opener to end the streak. In the playoffs, USF was 13-0 before a playoff loss in the NCAA Tour-nament second round to #5 Harding ended the run and the Cougars' national title hopes during 2016 when USF won its first-ever NSIC crown.

SD Football Coaches Association will honor USF's legendary coach Bob Young

Prior to kickoff, USF will honor the SD Army National Guard, SD Air National Guard and the Wounded Warriors Project in a special ceremony at midfield. At halftime, the SD Football Coaches Association will honor USF's legendary former head coach Bob Young with its Hometown Hero Award.  

Young, who led USF to its first of four NAIA National Championships in 1996 is the Cougars all-time wins leader with 172 victories. The Award recognizes Young for being a South Dakota Coach who has represented the state of South Dakota in a positive manner. Young, who developed a faith, family and foundation legacy at USF, is being recognized as a role model. Young, a native of Beresford, S.D., 1960 graduate of USF, is the third recipient joining Ben Leber, the former Kansas State and NFL star and Chad Greenway, who starred at Mt. Vernon, University of Iowa and an all-pro with the Minnesota Vikings. 

A week ago, the Cougars dropped a 41-17 decision to Concordia St. Paul in the season opener.  USF had a five-game winning streak in season openers end and the Cougars had a 12-game winning streak halted against CSP.   After scoring on the opening possession, USF fell behind 27-7 at halftime due some miscues which included two  blocked punts and a turnover deep in CSP territory. The Cougars made a charge in the second half but couldn't sustain the rally as CSP closed with two late touchdowns to create some separation and get their first win over USF since a 24-16 decision the first time the teams played in 1971. USF had the advantage in a number of the final stats. They had 385 yards on 69 plays for a respectable 5.6 yard per play. USF held a 168-to-156 edge in rushing yards without All American and Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Gabriel Watson. In his first start, redshirt sophomore Thuro Reisdorfer had a career-high with 13 carries for 92 yards and had a career-long 44-yard run. USF also had the edge in passing yards, 217-to-159 and a 16-15 edge in first downs. Senior quarterback Caden Walters completed 16-of-33 passes for 217 yards and a TD. Walters added 11 carries for 39 yards and a TD. 

Winona State opened the season with a 37-20 home win against Wayne State. In the game, junior quarterback Owen Burke led WSU to the victory with 318 yards passing and three TDs. They led WSC, 23-0, before the Wildcats tried to rally late and put up 20 points.

Many service members struggle with the transition back into civilian life after combat, and inclusion in collegiate sporting events is a great way for veterans to feel appreciated and honored for their sacrifice. USF Athletics is rallying behind our nation's heroes during their game against Winona State at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls, SD on September 14 at 1 pm.  The yearly Military Appreciation game during a USF Football game is a chance to show thanks to our veterans for putting their lives on the line for our country. This year USF will honor the Wounded Warrior Project, South Dakota Air National Guard, and South Dakota Army National Guard.

In collaboration with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), USF Athletics has invited local WWP injured service members to represent WWP during the game ball presentation and be honored throughout the game.  Being included in game-day activities can provide life-changing experiences for veterans during their recovery and transition back to civilian life. For some attendees, these events may be their first time outside of the house since incurring their injuries or meeting others who've undergone similar military experiences. Seeing the support of their community can provide the motivation they need to keep pushing forward.  "We are thrilled to see this showing of support by creating an exceptional experience for local WWP injured service members," said Michael Linnington, Chief Executive Officer at Wounded Warrior Project. "These opportunities continue to empower injured veterans and are an instrumental part of their healing process and emotional well-being."  

More than 52,000 service members have been physically wounded during the military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. An estimated 400,000 more are living with the invisible wounds of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Last Time - A game-winning field goal from 40-yards was offline and the No. 14 Cougars dropped a heart-breaking 16-15 decision to No 15 Winona State at Altra Federal Credit Union Field. USF led 7-0 at halftime after a TD run by Colton Myles (65 yards, six carries) and led 15-9 in the third quarter. USF was led by running back Gabriel Watson, who had a notable game with 29 carries for 172 yards and a TD. He helped USF compiled 226 rushing yards and 355 yards in total offense on 63 plays for 5.6 yards per play. 

Series Record - Winona State leads the all-time series with USF, 4-3. WSU has won the last two matchups with a 16-15 decision in 2018 and a 31-13 win in 2017.   

Sept. 9, 2018 -- No. 15 Winona State 16 No. 14 USF 15, @ Altra Federal Credit Union Field.

Oct. 7, 2017 -- No. 22 Winona State 31 No. 6 USF 13, @ Bob Young Field

Oct. 15, 2016 -- No. 6 Sioux Falls 41 Winona State 30, @ Winona, Minn.

Oct. 10, 2015 -- No. 4 Sioux Falls 51 Winona State 30, @ Bob Young Field

Oct. 25, 2014 -- No. 14 Sioux Falls 41 Winona State 28, @ Winona, Minn.

Oct. 12, 2013 -- Winona State 45 Sioux Falls 40, @ Bob Yong Field

Oct. 6, 2012 -- Winona State 10 USF 9, @ Winona, Minn. 

USF is 18-1 in home openers

Since 2000, USF has a 17-3 record in season openers with losses in 2011, 2013 and 2019. 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. At the DII level, USF is 6-2 in season openers and 3-2 in road NSIC openers with the only losses (32-7) to UMD in 2013 and Concordia St. Paul on Sept. 5, 2019. USF stands 34-33-4 in opening games since 1950.

USF is celebrating 100 years of football

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.

Pipkins and Gardeck make NFL rosters

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 53man 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. 

Winona State is led by quarterback Owen Burke

The Warriors are directed by head coach Tom Sawyer who has 183 career wins and is one of the veterans of the coaching circles in the NSIC. WSU will be led by quarterback Owen Burke, who was 23-of-33 for 318 yards and three TDs. He connected with Tyler Knutson on one of his TD throws. Burke threw for a career-high in yards and completed passes to 12 players. WSU also ran for 222 yards while the Cougars allowed 156. Against WSC, WSU had a 53.3 percent third down conversion rate and totaled 29 first downs which ranks second in the NSIC. They also showed ball control by holding onto the oval 37:48 of the game. WSC, which ranked third in the country in 2017 with 37 and second a year ago with 28 opened with three picks against the Wildcats. The team is led by at wide receiver by the dynamic Jake Balliu who had six catches for 63 yards. He is also a dangerous special teams performer. The defense is led by senior linebacker Nick Pridgeon who only played two games a year ago but had 57 tackles and 3.5 sacks two years ago. 

Watson and Johnson named to preseason D2Football All-American Team
Gabriel Watson of the University of Sioux Falls Football Team has been named to the first team offense at running back and cornerback Hakeem Johnson named to the second team defense on the D2Football.com Preseason All-American Team, which was announced in August by the website. The D2Football.com All-America Team was selected by the staff of D2Football.com with input from coaches and sports information directors from around the country. D2Football.com has named an All-America Team since its inception in 2000. Watson, who has been named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division Preseason Player of the Year this fall, and returns as a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, picked up his ninth All-American honor, including the fourth during the 2019 preseason. Johnson earned his first All-American honor after being named honorable mention All-American by Don Hansen in 2018.

USF has scored in 161 straight games

Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 3,156 points in 91 games or 34.68 ppg. USF has scored in 161 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.