SIOUX FALLS -- The University of Sioux Falls Football Team (2-1, 2-1 NSIC South) , which has two straight and sit tied for second in the NSIC South, will host Augustana (2-1, 2-1 NSIC) at 6:05 pm on Thursday, Sept. 26 in the "Key to the City" game between the two city rivals at Bob Young Field. Both teams come into the game at 2-1 and won games last weekend. USF rolled past SMSU, 51-7, on the road while the Vikings rallied for a 26-13 win after trailing 13-0 at home. 

The game will be broadcast on Midco Sports with David Brown on play-by-play and Alex Heinert as analyst. This will be the first time the two schools have played on Thursday night as the featured Midco Game of the Week. The game is available on radio at KWSN.com with Tom Frederick on play-by-play and Tim Hiatt on color. Fans can watch the game live or follow on live stats.

USF has won six of the seven "Key to the City" matchups and will try and improve to 7-1 overall and up their home mark to 3-1 in the series. In the past two games, USF has outscored two NSIC foes (Winona State, SMSU) by a margin of 85-19. In addition, USF has totaled 999 yards in total offense in the two games while allowing just 388. The Cougars have a 101 carries for 578 yards and 10 rushing TDs in the span. On defense, USF has allowed just two offensive TDs.

USF will recognize game sponsor Avera before game and also honor USF Board of Trustees at halftime

Prior to kickoff, USF Head Coach Jon Anderson will recognize and thank game sponsor Avera. During the halftime of the USF-Augustana, USF will recognize the Board of Trustees members for its dedication and commitment to the University. 
 

Tim Bailey '90 (Sheri 'Fred' ), Casper, Wyo.

Paul '65 and Pat Barber '67, Rapid City, S.D.

Gary Baumgartner (Barb) Sioux Falls, S.D.

Fred Bellum '55 (Renee), Columbus, NE

Rev. Leon Bill (Darline '71), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Judy Blauwet (Dale), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Lois Boice '67 (Duane), Hartford, S.D.

Tom Bosch (Amy), Sioux Falls, SD

Curt Buchholz, M.D. '74 (Carole '75), Soldotna, AK

Warren Camp '63 ( Joyce '65), Bloomington, MN

David Cleveland '55 (Carolyn), Sarona, Wis.

Dr. John Collier (Ann), Mukilteo, Wash.

Jay Eidsness '94 (Natalie), Worthing, S.D.

Paul Eidsness '66 (Darlene '66), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dr. Carol Evans '59 (Titus), Rochester, Minn.

David Evans '93, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Dave Fleck (Mary), Yankton, S.D.

Richard Garside '81 (Kristi), St. Augustine, Fla.

Mary Hull (Gordon), Rapid City, S.D.

Dan Hylland '67 (Jean), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Al Johnson '64 (Carol '65), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dorothy Johnson Caselli (Bob), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Merle Johnson '52 (Sharon), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Sue Kuhn (Arnie), Nevis, Minn.

Robert R. Larsen, M.D., San Diego, Calif.

Dan LaRock (Marie), Hills, Minn.

Barb McMurchie (Boyd), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Max Merry '72 (Cheryl), Dell Rapids, S.D.

Dr. Paula O'Neill-Weedon '64 (Ren), Georgetown, Texas

Alex Ramirez (Andrea), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Rev. Randy Rasmussen (Pat), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Scott Rysdon '86 (Dawn), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Jeff  Savage '86 (Denise), Scottsdale, Ariz.

Al Schoeneman, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Beth Shipman Habicht '66, Worthington, Minn

Randy Stewart '80 (Sara), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Nancee Sturdevant (Tim), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Marian Sullivan '50, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Kimberley Thune (John), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Robert Veninga '63 (Karen '67), St. Paul, Minn.

Mick Woodden '63 (Marilyn '70), Sioux Falls, S.D.

Steve Young '84 (Pam), Maple Grove, Minn.

Cougars bring two-game winning streak into rivalry matchup

On Sept. 21 in Marshall, Minn., USF moved to 2-1 on the season with a dominating 51-7 victory over Southwest Minnesota State at Mattke Field. The Cougars rolled up 564 yards in total offense, which include 358 rushing yards.  In the win, USF had a pair of 100-yard rushers as both Thuro Reisdorfer (13-113-4 TDs) and Ja'Tai Jenkins (10-102-TD) surpassed the century mark. On defense the Cougars held SMSU in check and allowed just 160 yards in total offense. The defense, which was led by nine tackles, 2.5 TFLs and an interception by Brody Grantham, held SMSU to six rushing yards on 36 carries or .2 per carry. With the victory, USF moved to 2-1 on the season and now has outscored opponents, 85-to-21 over the past two games. On Sept. 14, USF rolled past Winona State, 34-12 at Bob Young Field. The Cougars now stand 70-9 all-time at the Bob.   

Series Notes - USF leads "Key to the City" series, 6-1

Last Time - USF rolled up 576 yards in total offense, including a season-high 332 rushing, to key a 51-13 victory over city rival Augustana (2-2, 2-2 NSIC) before 6,159 fans at Kirkeby-Over Stadium on Sept. 22, 2018. The USF offense rolled up 576 on 63 plays for a 9.1 yard per play average, which tied USF's DII mark set against St. Cloud State on Sept. 1, 2016. USF featured a strong rushing game, led by Gabe Watson who had 23 carries for 140 yards and a career-best four TDs, which set a Kirkeby-Over Stadium record and was the most by a USF player since Luke Papilion had four against MSU Moorhead on Sept. 15, 2016. Colton Myles had the a career-best 154 yards on 15 carries. Myles capped off the scoring with a career-best 58-yard TD run. In total, USF had 332 yards and six rushing TDs, which is the most in a game in the DII era. In the last time at Bob Young Field, USF took a 21-14 decision 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, a five-time All-American linebacker in 2017 and now with the Arizona Cardinals, trapped the Augustana quarterback in the end zone for a safety.

Series Record - USF leads the "Key to the City" series with Augustana, 6-1.  Overall, the Vikings own a 19-7 edge in a series that dates to 1916 when the Cougars took a 46-0 win in the first-ever matchup. 

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

2018 -- USF 51 Augustana 13 Kirkeby Over Stadium, Att. 6,159

Breaking down the game - By the Numbers

In a breakdown of the USF and Augustana teams, statistics indicate that both teams feature good offenses with solid cores on defense. USF is third in the league in scoring at 34.0 ppg while the Vikings average 28.3. In scoring defense, the Vikings have allowed 13.3 per game while USF is allowing 20.0 points per game but just 9.5 over the past two victories. USF, which is led by the league's second leading rusher, Thuro Reisdorfer, 95.7 yards per game) and leading scorer (six touchdowns), ranks second in the NSIC in rushing at 248.7 yards. Despite missing All-American Gabriel Watson, USF has averaged 5.4 yards per carry and totaled 746 rushing yards. Augustana is 12th in the  league is rushing at 97.0 yards per game. Against the rush, USF is fourth by giving up 70.0 yards per game. The Vikings stand eighth in the NSIC with 139.0 yards permitted per game. In total offense, USF sits second at 461.3 per game with Augie sixth at 377.3 per game. USF is third in total defense at 234.1 ypg and AU is seven at 331.0. Augie leads the NSIC in passing at 280.3 yards per game and have four interceptions with six TDs. USF is seventh with 212.7 yards per game, two TDs and one pick. 

USF celebrating Year 100

It is year 100 for University of Sioux Falls Football. As the Cougars start the milestone year, they do it with 445 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. In its history, 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.

Things to know about Augustana

Augustana has opened the 2019 season with a 2-1 record. In the opener they dismantled Upper Iowa, 52-0, to open their home season with a win. In week two, they dropped a 27-7 road decision to No.3 Minnesota State before rebounding with a 26-13 victory over Wayne State at Kirkeby Over Stadium. The Vikings trailed Wayne State, 13-0 before rallying with 26 straight points to take the victory.  AU is directed by head coach Jerry Olszewski, a 1993 graduate of Wisconsin Stevens Point. He has directed the Vikings to a 40-30 record in seven seasons and stands 72-48 overall in 12 years as a collegiate coach.

Pipkins and Gardeck make NFL rosters in San Diego and Arizona

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.

Player Notes -- Reisdorfer ranks 2nd in DII in TDs, rush TDs and is third in scoring

Senior quarterback Caden Walters has five games of 200 yards passing or more with his career high of 283 when he was 21-of-27 with a TD and interception against Upper Iowa on Oct. 27, 2018. He has opened the 2019 season with two 200-yard passing games (217 vs. Concordia St. Paul and 215 yards vs Winona State). As a result, he now has completed 187-of-294 passes for 2,531 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In 2019, he is 41-of-70 for 598 yards with two TDs and an interception. Additionally, he has been a factor with his feet. Walters has 72 carries for 300 yards and four TDs in his career. He is averaging a team-high 7.5 yards per tote this year with 22 carries for 165 yards and two TDs. Walters had a career-long 59-yard run against CSP on Sept. 5 . In the win over Winona State, Walters had nine carries for a career-high 70 rushing yards. 

In the backfield, redshirt sophomore Thuro Reisdorfer has 46 carries for 287 yards and a league-high six TDs or 95.7.0 yards per game, which places him second in the NSIC. He registered his first 100 yard game in his third career start with 13 carries for 113 yards and set a personal  mark with four TDs.. He 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. Reisdorfer ranks second in DII in TDs (6), rushing TDs (6), third in scoring (12.0 ppg) and 22nd in rushing (95.7 ypg)

USF, which has played without the services of nine-time All-American Gabe Watson (269-1,957-26 TDs) this year, has production from redshirt freshman Ja'Tai Jenkins to add strength and depth to the backfield. Jenkins, who had his first-career 100-yard rushing game against SMSU, has 25 carries for 153 yards and 6.1 yards per carry. Between Reisdorfer, Jenkins and Walters, USF has had three runs of 50 plus yards. Reisdorfer, who also has a 44-yard jaunt (vs. Concordia St. Paul, 9-5-19), scored on a 50-yard TD jaunt vs. SMSU in the third quarter of USF's 51-7 victory. Jenkins also had a third quarter TD burst of 51-yards with his career-best run and TD. And, Walters had a 59-yard scamper against CSP.

In the receiving corps, junior newcomer Karnell Collier has accumulated a team-high 10 catches for 134 yards or 13.4 per catch and 67.0 yards per game. He had his first career 100-yard receiving game in the win over Winona State with seven catches for 108 yards. Nate Johnson has seven receptions for 112 yards and now has 29 receptions in his  career for 507 yards and four TDs. 

Also against SMSU, USF averaged eight yards per carry (45-358) and scored seven rushing touchdowns for the first time since 2009 when the Cougars defeated Concordia (Neb.), 80-0. Also, the last time USF had two backs over 100 yards was Minot State on Sept. 29, 2018 when Gabriel Watson (15-205) and Colton Myles (19-131) surpassed the century mark. And, what is unique about Jenkins and Reisdorfer reaching 100 was that both did it in their first years as starters with USF. Senior Clint Sigg has eight catches for 60 yards and a TD in 2019 playing with a cast on his hand. An All-NSIC and All-Region performer, Sigg has played 22 games with 41 receptions for 520 yards and 3 TDs.

Grantham, Stout and Enalls leading defense

On defense, senior Brody Grantham leads USF with 23 tackles. He has 13 solo stops, 3.5 tackles for loss and pass breakup in his three  games on the balanced defense employed by defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto. In his career, he has played 29 games with 125 tackles which included 68 solo stops. He has accumulated 13.0 tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Twice in the 2018 season, Grantham had double digit tackles with his career-high of 12 stops against Bemidji State on Oct. 6, 2018. He also had 10 tackles against MSU Moorhead on Oct. 20, 2018. Last week senior Ryan Nieman registered his five career interception against SMSU and now has 17 tackles this year with 11 solos. Junior defensive end Joey Wehrkamp has 10 tackles with five TFLs and 3.0 sacks and now has totaled 65 tackles with 16 TFLs and 7.5 sacks in his career. Also for USF, Harvey (Michael) Enalls has registered 14 tackles with seven solo stops and three quarterback sacks in 2019. He has a sack in each of his three games. In his career Enalls has 94 career stops, 8.5 TFls and six sacks. A junior linebacker, Enalls has a career-best 13 tackles against Bemidji State on Oct. 6, 2018. Twice this season he has five tackles in a game. Senior safety Tucker Stout has 10 solo stops and 15 total tackles this year plus an interception in 2019 as he has built his career numbers to 96 tackles with 67 solo stops and an interception and fumble recovery. He set his career mark for 12 tackles in a game when he had a career-high nine solo stops against MSU Moorhead on Oct. 20, 2018.  Junior safety Nate Durfee has 61 career tackles. In 2019 he has 10 tackles with six solo stops an interception and three pass breakups. He established his a career-high of 11 tackles against Bemidji State on Oct. 6, 2018.

Also for USF 2017 All-NSIC defensive end Logan Dykstra has 76 career tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Esparza named NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 16

USF's junior place-kicker Daniel Esparza earned his first career Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honor on Sept. 16 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 was perfect on his kicking as he made two field goals of 17 yards and 50 yards and all four extra points. 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. In 2019, Esparza has made all three of his field goals and converted 6-of-6 extra points.

Cougars have scored in 163 straight games

Since moving to DII in 2011, the Cougars have scored 3,242  points in 93 games or 34.86 ppg. USF has scored in 163 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's high this season is the 51 points on the road at Southwest Minnesota State.

USF is winning at .745 clip in NCAA DII

USF is  63-17 (.787) since joining the NSIC and 70-24 (.745) all-time in NCAA DII. USF is 39-13 (.750) mark against South opponents and 24-4 (.857) vs. the North.  The Cougars are 30-10  (.750) in road NSIC games and 33-7  (.825) 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 21-6 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 is 70-9 all-time at the friendly confines of Bob Young Field. USF 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 Tournament second round to #5 Harding ended the run and the Cougars' national title hopes during 2016 when USF won its first-ever NSIC crown.

By the Numbers - How USF stacks up in DII

Interceptions, 9th, 6

Red Zone Offense, 23rd, 92.9 percent

Rushing Defense, 18th, 70.3 yards per game

Rushing Offense, 13th, 248.7 yards per game

Total Defense, 11th, 234.3 yards per game

Total Offense, 23rd, 461.3 yards per game

Team Tackles for Loss, 26th, 8.3 per game

Team Passing Efficiency Defense, 28th, 96.92

3rd Down Conversion, 29th, 45 percent

First Downs Defense, 27th, 43

Individual 

Rushing TDs, 2nd, Thuro Reisdorfer, 2nd

Rushing Yards, 22nd, Thuro Reisdorfer, 287

Rushing Yards Per Game, 22nd, Thuro Reisdorfer, 95.7

Sacks, 17th, Harvey Enalls and Joey Wehrkamp, 1.0

Scoring, 3rd, Thuro Reisdorfer, 12.0

Total Touchdowns, 2nd, Thuro Reisdorfer, 6

Field Goals Percentage, 1st, Daniel Esparza, 4-4

Field Goals Per Game, 21st, Daniel Esparza, 1.3

Interceptions Per Game, 11th, Ryan Nieman, 0.7

Passes Defended Per Game, 11th, Parker Gregston, 2.0

Passing Yards Per Completion, 28th, Caden Walters, 14.59

Yards Per Pass Attempts, 25th, Caden Walters, 8.54

Punt Returns, 13th, Nate Johnson, 12.6 yards per return