SIOUX FALLS -- The University of Sioux Falls Football Team (5-3, 2-1 NSIC South) faces a road challenge this Saturday (Oct. 30) when the Cougars meet Minnesota State (5-3, 1-2 NSIC) at Blakelee Field in Mankato, Minn.

Both USF and MSU will look to bounce back after a tough loss last Saturday, Oct. 23. The Cougars, which sits a half game behind Wayne State and Augustana (3-1) in the NSIC South at 2-1, faces a MSU team that is 1-2 in South Division play. Overall, both teams stand 5-3 through eight games. The Cougars and the Mavericks will face each other for the 11th time with MSU holding a 8-2 advantage. A week ago, MSU dropped a 45-35 decision to Augustana in Mankato while the Cougars lost a nail biter, 14-10, to Winona State at Bob Young Field.  

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Previewing the Cougars in 2021 - USF stands 5-3, 2-1 in South

A week ago, the Cougars had a 10-7 lead late in the fourth quarter after Adam Mullen and Ty Smith hooked up on a seven-yard TD reception at the 4:52 mark of the fourth quarter. However, Winona State was able to convert a 70-yard pitch and catch from Owen Burke to backup tight end Dakota Matthees to squeeze out a 14-10 lead. USF had a chance for the win, driving inside the WSU 35-yard line with under a minute to play but turned the ball over on downs. USF was led by redshirt freshman Carter Slykhuis who had his first career 100-yard receiving game (102 yards) on a career-best eight catches. Slykhuis is the first USF receiver to go past 100 yards this season.

Prior to that game, USF had won three straight games, incluidng a 34-14 home win over U-Mary when USF rolled up 517 yards in total offense. Three weeks ago, the Cougars had a 35-7 win over SMSU which followed a 28-26 come-from-behind win in the "Key to the City" game with Augustana at Bob Young Field. 

With the victory against AU, the Cougars increased their series lead over the Vikings, 7-2, in the "Key to the City" series which began in 2012. In the win, the Cougars were led by redshirt freshman quarterback Adam Mullen who had a career-high 26 completions on 36 attempts for 251 yards and tied his career-high with three TDs. USF rallied to take a lead late when Mullen hit Dominic Pegley with a 26-yard TD pass. Jacqueze Lockett had two TDs (receiving, rushing). The USF defense ended the Vikings' hope when Giovanni Purpura had his second career interception at the USF 30-yard line. In the 35-7 win over SMSU on Oct. 9, Landon Freeman had a career-high 136 yards rushing with TDs of 20 and a career-best 69 yards while Carter Lohr set a school mark with 109 yards in interception returns on two picks. USF, which defeated SMSU for a ninth straight time, had four interceptions, including a pick-six of 57 yards by Lee Pitts, and totaled a school-record 166 yards in returns. 

The Cougars, directed by fifth year head coach Jon Anderson (29-14 overall, 29-12 in the NSIC), opened the season with a 24-16 setback to Bemidji State on Sept. 2 at Bob Young Field. In week two, USF rolled past Minot State, 49-10, as Mullen threw for three TDs and 199 yards while Thuro Reisdorfer recorded his second straight 100-yard rushing game of the season with124 yards on 16 carries and TDs of two and 44 yards. Then the Cougars returned home and rolled to a 50-14 win over Concordia St. Paul by rushing for 388 yards - 8th best in USF's DII era. The Cougars had 549 yards of total offense - a season high while holding CSP to -14 yards. Reisdorfer led USF with 160 yards rushing on 14 carries with three first-half TDs. Then, USF passed for 276 yards and rolled up 442 offensive yards but fell at Northern State, 41-10. It was USF's first-ever loss in the DII era to Northern State. USF had two backs over 100 yards in a game for the second time this season. USF totaled 517 yards in total offense. Dominic Pegley had a season-best 98 yards receiving and a 57-yard TD catch.

 Breaking Down the Opponent - Minnesota State 

Minnesota State, directed by 12th-year head coach Todd Hoffner (111-25), sits 5-3 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC South standings. MSU leads the NSIC in scoring at 42.3 points per game and rank fifth in the NSIC in defensive scoring at 23.5 per game. The Mavericks, which wrap up their home season against USF on Saturday, has 3,748 yards in total offense, including 1,694 rushing yards for 5.0 average per carry. They have thrown for 2,054 yards.  MSU is led by sophomore running back Kaleb Sleezer with 422 yards and four TDs. Senior QB JD Ekowa has seven rushing TDs and has thrown for 12 with 1,307 passing yards. Jalen Sample leads the receivers with 38 catches for 682 yards and five scores. On defense, Trent Carpetter has 34 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. 

How Things Stand for Sioux Falls

USF comes into the game averaging 29.0 points per game (9th in the NSIC) but rank first in the league in defensive scoring at 18.8 points per game. The Cougars average 405.9 yards per game for eighth in the NSIC. USF has 3,247 yards in total offense or 5.9 per play on 553 snaps. Defensively, the Cougars permit 351.3 yards per game, a total which is fourth in the league. 

USF continues to be one of the league's best in running the ball. USF is second in the league with 193.8 rushing yards per game and lead the NSIC in per carry average at 5.0. The Cougars are stingy defensively against the run by allowing just 104.3 yards per game (5th, NSIC) and 3.2 yards per rush.    

Individually, USF redshirt quarterback Adam Mullen ranks second in the NSIC in completion percentage at 64.4, hitting on 152-of-236 passes for 1,648 yards and 12 TDs with a 135.6 pass efficiency ranking. As such, he is seventh in passing in the NSIC.  His leading receiver is Dominic Pegley with 43 catches for 540 yards and five TDs (67.5 ypg). Thuro Reisdorfer ranks second in the NSIC with 105.9 yards per game with 111 carries for 741 yards and seven TDs. He also ranks second in the NSIC with a 6.7 average per carry.  On defense, senior Joey Wehrkamp is third in the NSIC sacks with six and has 14 for his career (tied for 9th all-time at USF). With that total, he now has 30 in his career, 10th all-time at USF. 

In a breakdown of NSIC and NCAA stats, the Cougars rank in numerous categories

Team -- Third Down Conversions, 42.2%, 3rd, NSIC, 47th, Third Down Conversions - Defense, 11th, NSIC, 117, DII; Blocked kicks, 3, 3rd, NSIC, 30th, DII; Block Punts, 3, 1st, NSIC, 4th, DII; Completion Percentage, 65.2%, 1st, NSIC, 14th, DII; First Downs, 174, 5th, NSIC, 31st, DII; KO Return Defense, 16.3, 5th, NSIC, 33rd, DII; Interceptions, 10, 5th, NSIC, 21st, DII; Red Zone Defense, 68.4 percent, 2nd, NSIC, 27th, DII; Rush Defense, 104.0, 5th, NSIC, 31st, DII; Rush Offense, 193.1, 2nd, NSIC, 30th, DII; Sacks Allowed, 1.0 per game, 3rd, NSIC, 13th, DII; Scoring Defense, 18.8, 1st, NSIC, 28th, DII; TFLs, 4.25 per game, 3rd, NSIC, 30th, DII; Total Offense,  405.2 ypg, 8th, NSIC, 49th, DII. 

Individual -- All Purpose Yards, Thuro Reisdorfer, 124.83, 6th, NSIC, 41st, DII; Dominic Pegley, Blocked Kicks, 2, 1st, NSIC, 4th, DII; Adam Mullen, Completion Percentage, 64.6%, 2nd, NSIC, 19th, DII; Completions Per game, 19.12, Adam Mullen, 6th, NSIC, 36th, DII; Thuro Reisdorfer, Rush Yards Per Carry, 6.7 avg., 2nd, NSIC, 14th, DII; Rush TDs, 7, 2nd, NSIC, 31st, DII; Rush Yards, 741, 3rd, NSIC; 48th, DII; Rush Yards Per Game, 105.9, 2nd, NSIC, 19th DII. 

USF has a long legacy of success 

Beginning in 1902 and continuing into the 21st century, the USF program has thrived on high expectations through a rich tradition heaped in excellence. The Cougars have 456 wins (456-420-20), 26 consecutive winning seasons and have earned postseason NCAA DII playoff berths in four of the last five seasons. It is a program that has four national NAIA championships and 20 conference crowns including the 2016 team that was unbeaten in NSIC play. USF has had at least six wins in every season in the NSIC and a winning run in DII of nine years, including 5-4 in the transition year from NAIA to DII in 2011.  The Cougars, which 74-22 in NSIC play and 81-30 since the transition to DII in 2011, 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 (11-1 overall) and later advanced to the Mineral Water Bowl, which they won 42-10 over Central Oklahoma of the MIAA. The Cougars earned their first NCAA DII playoff berth in 2015 (9-3 season) and won the NSIC with an unbeaten record (11-0, 12-1 overall). In 2016, USF earned a first-ever DII playoff win with a 34-21 win over Azusa Pacific as USF advanced to Sweet 16 in 2016. In 2017, the Cougars had the league's top defense 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. In 2019, USF was 8-4 with a 4-3 record in the South and a NCAA DII postseason bid.

Series -- MSU owns an 8-2 lead over USF

 MSU leads USF in the all-time series, 8-2 with a 42-39 win at Bob Young Field in 2019. They also took 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. Four 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.  

Regional Rankings - NCAA DII - SR-4

The first NCAA Regional football rankings have been released and the NSIC has four teams ranked in Super Region Four. Augustana (7-1) ranks first while Bemidji State (6-2) is sixth and Wayne State (6-2) is seventh.  UMD (6-2) is tenth in the first 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 35-team NCAA Super Region Four this season. 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. 14 at 4 p.m. (CT).

Rankings (in region record, DII record) - 
1. Augustana (NSIC), 7-1, 7-1
2. Colorado School of Mines (RMAC), 7-1, 7-1
3. Central Washington (GNAC), 5-1, 5-1
4. Midwestern State (LSC), 4-1, 5-1
5. Angelo State (LSC), 5-2, 6-2
6. Bemidji State (NSIC), 6-2, 6-2
7. Wayne State (NSIC), 6-2, 6-2
8. Colorado Mesa (RMAC), 5-1, 6-1
9. Western Colorado (RMAC), 7-1, 7-1
10. Minnesota Duluth (NSIC), 6-2, 6-2

Head Football Coach Jon Anderson announced the team captains for the 2021 season. The captains, selected by vote of the team, include seniors Ty Smith, Harvey Enalls, Joey Wehrkamp and junior Thuro Reisdorfer, all of Sioux Falls. 

Player Profiles - Reisdorfer approaching 2,000 rushing mark

Thuro Reisdorfer, a 2019 All-NSIC selection, has continued to progress up the USF season and career charts as a junior running back for USF. With seven yards, he will become just the 14th back in school history to reach 2,000 career rushing yards and hte first since Max Mickey (2014-17).  In seven games played, he ranks second in the NSIC in yards per game average at 105.9 with his 111 carries for 741 yards third in the league (Ali Mohamed, Minot State, 868; Jarod Epperson, 812, 8 games). He is averaging 6.7 yards per carry which ranks second in the NSIC and ranks 14th in DII. With seven rushing TDs he is 18th in DII and first in the NSIC. His seven TDs are tied for second in the NSIC. The Sioux Falls Washington prep has totaled four 100-yard plus rushing games this season and now has nine in his career which ranks 10th all-time at USF. This season, Reisdorfer has 22 carries for 150 yards against Bemidji State; 16 carries for 124 yards and two TDs against Minot State;14 carries for 160 yards and three TDs against Concordia St. Paul; 17 carries for 75 yards against Northern State and 19 carries for 145 yards and two TDs against U-Mary. He also had 19 carries for 63 yards against Winona State. Reisdorfer, who rushed for 1,150 yards as a sophomore in 2019 and was named second team All-NSIC, has pushed his career total to 1,993, which places 14th all-time at USF and just 24 yards for 13th which is held by Kevin Moser (1983-84) with 2,016.  Reisdorfer has 26 career TDs with 20 by rushing. He has a school record 98-yard TD run vs Northern State (10-26-19) and a 80-yard kickoff return vs Minn. Crookston (10-12-19) as he has scored by rush, reception, and kickoff return. 

RB -- Thuro Reisdorfer (6-1, 206, R-Jr., Sioux Falls, SD)

Career -- 302 carries, 1,993 yards, 20 rushing TDs, long 98 yards (school record), 6.7 avg per carry, 66.3 ypg; 2,487 all purpose yards, 82.9 pg; 20 receptions, 182 yards, 5 TDs, long of 28; 312 kick return yards - TD of 80 yards

Season -- 111 carries, 741 yards, 7 TDs, long of 51, 6.7 avg. per carry; 105.9 avg. per game; 9 receptions, 63 yards, long of 15

Game -- 22 carries vs Bemidji State, 9-2-21; 171 yards rushing vs Minnesota Duluth, 10-19-19; 4 rushing TDs vs. SMSU, 9-21-19; longest run of 98 yards vs NSU, 10-26-19; longest kick return of 80 yards vs Minn. Crookston, 10-12-19
 

WR -- Ty Smith (6-5, 209, Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) 

Season -- 26 receptions - 361 yards - 2 TDs - long of 44 yards

Career - 31 games - 30 starts - 91 receptions - 1,288 yards - six TDs. 

Game -- 110 yards vs. Minn. State on Nov. 11, 2017 and eight receptions against Upper Iowa on Oct. 27, 2018.  
 

WR -- Dominic Pegley (6-1, 215, Sr., Akron, Ohio)

Season  -- 43  receptions -- 540 yards -- 5 TDs - Long of 57 yards - 2 blocked punts - special teams TD on return punt 20 yards

Game -- 8 receptions (Bemidji State, Augustana, 2021); 98 yards (U-Mary, 10-16-2021; TDs . He has recorded five or more receptions in six of the eight games with at least 50 yards in seven of eight games.
 

RB -- Landon Freeman (5-11, 178, R-So., Sioux Falls, S.D.)

Season -- 60 att., 406 yards, 6.8 avg. 4 TDs, long 69 yards, 50.8 ypg, 3 career 100-yard games

Game -- 9 carries, 136 yards, 2 TDs (20, 69) vs SMSU, 10-9-21
 

RB -- Ja'Tai Jenkins (5-10, 195, R-So., Goodyear, Ariz.)

Career -- 18 games -- 131 attempts -- 651 yards -- 5 TDs -- long of 51

Season -- 25 carries - 71 yards -- TD -- long of 29 yards

Game -- 10 carries, 102 rushing yards, TD vs SMSU, 9-21-19
 

TE -- Ben Sokup (6-5, 250, R-Jr., Altoona, Wisc.) 

Season -- 6 receptions -- 49 yards -- long of 25 yards

Career - 13 career receptions - 214 yards -- 2 TDs

Game -- 2 receptions - 65 yards -- Minnesota Crookston, 2019 -- long 44 yds.
 

QB -- Adam Mullen (6-0, 195, R-Fr., Highlands Ranch, Colo.) -- 

Season -- 153 completions -- 237 attempts -- 64.6 completion rate -- 5 int. -- 12 TDs -- 1,648 yards -

Game -- 27 completions (Augustana, 2021); 43 attempts (Winona State, 2021); 276 yards (NSU, 2021), 3 TDs (Augustana, Minot State).
 

DL -- David Vargas (6-3, 299, R-Sr., Randolph, NJ)

Season -- 19 tackles, 10 solo stops -- TFL, Sack

Career -- 21 games played -- 30 solos, 28 assists, 58 tackles -- 4 TFLs -- FF -- FR

Game -- 7 tackles vs Augustana (2021)
 

DL -- Joey Wehrkamp (6-2, 250, R-Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.)

Season -- 23 tackles , 17 solos -- 11 TFLs -- 6 sacks -- 4 pass break ups -- FF - FR

Career -- 43 games -- 43 starts -- 69 solos, 46 assists, 115 tackles -- 30 TFLs (10th all-time USF) -- 14 sacks (tied for 9th all-time at USF) -- 9 pass breakups -- 3 FF -- 3 FR

Game -- 9 tackles, 6 solo stops vs Bemidji State on 10-6-18; 7 solo stops vs Northern State, 2018
 

DB -- Nate Durfee (6-1, 205, Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.)

Season -- 21 solos 4 assists - 25 tackles -- 3 breakups - 2 interceptions

Career -- 42 games -- 32 starts - 79 solos, 47 assists, 126 tackles -- 3.5 TFLs -- 11 pass breakups -- 4 interceptions

Game -- 13 tackles vs Colorado School of Mines, 11/23/19 playoffs
 

LB -- Harvey Enalls (6-1, 225, Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.)

Season -- 22 solos, 11 assists, 33 tackles --- 1 TFL, 1 sack 3 pass breakups

Career -- 41 games -- 39 starts -- 99 solos,  165 career tackles -- 13.5 TFLs -- 9.5 sacks - five fumble recoveries

Game -- 13 tackles vs Colorado Mines, 11/23/19 playoffs; Bemidji State, 2018
 

DL -- Amaurii Grosskopf 6-4, 280, R-So., Beloit, Wisc.)

Season --  solo12s -- 20 tackles -- 5 TFLs -- Sack

Career -- 20 games played -- 34 solos, 59 tackles -- 8 TFLs -- 4 passes broke up

Game -- 8 tackles vs. Minnesota State, 11-9-2019
 

LB -- Cody Jantzen (6-3, 230, R-So., St. Germain, Pines, WI)

Season -- 27 solos, 41 tackles -- 4 TFLs - 2 pass breakup

Career -- 20 games -- 34 solos, 51 tackles -- 4 TFLs, 2 PD

Game -- 9 tackles vs Bemidji State, 9-2-21
 

DB -- Dorian Fedrick (6-2, 177, R-Sr., Rialto, Calif.

Season -- 30 solos, 35 tackles; 5.5 TFLs, 2 sack, int., 3 breakups, FF

Career -- 20 G  -- 47 solos, 67 tackles; 6.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 8 passes defended, FF, 2 int.

Game -- 9 tackles vs Augustana, 10-2-21; SMSU, 10-9-21
 

DB -- Carter Lohr (6-0, 175, R-So., Sioux Falls, S.D.)

Season -- 24 tackles, 20 solo, 2 TFLs, sack, 3 int (109 yards in returns), 3 BU

Career -- 29 tackles, 25 solo, 2 TFLs, sack, 3 BU, 3 int-109 yards 

Game -- 6 tackles vs Augustana, 10-2-21; 2 interceptions vs SMSU, 10-9-21
 

DB -- Lee Pitts (5-11, 190, Sr., Agoura Hills, Calif)

Season -- 20 solos, 2 assists, 22 tackles, 6 PD, FF, int., 57-yard TD return of int

Career -- 57 tackles, 3 int., 10 BU, interception return of 57 yards

Game -- 5 tackles, 2 BU, vs U-Mary, 10-16-21