SIOUX FALLS -- The University of Sioux Falls Football Team (0-0, 0-0 NSIC), which is receiving votes in the preseason AFCA DII Coaches Poll, will host Bemidji State (0-0, 0-0 NSIC) in a North-South Division matchup at 6:05 pm Thursday at Bob Young Field. It will be the first game for both teams in more than 650 days as the CoVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 season.

Fans can tune into the radio broadcast on KWSN with veteran announcer Tom Frederick and analyst Tim Hiatt with sideline reporter Chad Birger. Midco Sports, including play-by-play announcer David Brown and analyst Kurtiss Riggs, will broadcast the game live. Click here for live stats and live video (Midco Sports feed on NSIC Network).

Cougars ready to begin 101st season - Cougars receive votes in AFCA poll

Beginning in 1902 and continuing into the 21st century, the program has thrived on high expectations through a rich tradition heaped in excellence. The Cougars have 451 wins (451-418-20), 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.

As the season opens, the Cougars have received votes in the AFCA Coaches Preseason Poll and were picked fourth overall (tied for third in the South Division) in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll. Bemidji State was picked to place sixth overall and second in the NSIC North. Both teams finished 2019 - the last time they played - with eight wins and USF advanced to the DII playoffs. The Cougars have never had a losing season in the NSIC and hold a 69-18 mark in league play with a 71-22 overall mark since 2012. Since the transition in 2011, USF is 76-26.

Quick Review - History in NSIC
With an 8-4 season in 2019, USF put together its 26th straight winning season which ranks 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 nine years, including 5-4 in the transition year 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 (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 but earned a NCAA DII postseason bid for the second time in three years with Coach Anderson at the helm.

About Bemidji State -- 

Led by fifth year Head Coach Brent Bolte, BSU will meet USF on Thursday night. BSU was 8-3 in 2019 which was a fourth straight year with at least seven wins under Bolte. The Beavers will face three teams to receive votes in the AFCA Top 25 Poll through the first four weeks of the season, beginning with the Cougars who are on the outside of the top 25. BSU will also face a road test at No. 2 Minnesota State University, Mankato on Sept. 18 and (RV) Augustana University at home on Sept. 25. Leading Bemidji State as captains includes seniors Gabe Ames (LB), Ryan Fuller (OL), and James Huwe (OL), junior Zollie Kaplan (LB), and sophomore Brandon Alt (QB). Ames is now a two-time team captain while the remaining four are first-time captains. BSU returns 37 letter winners from the 2019 season, including the return of 12 total starters between offense and defense. The coaching staff also saw turnover over the past two seasons, as only three assistant coaches return from 2019. Bolte, in his fifth season as head coach and 21st overall at BSU, joins defensive coordinator Jamison Bisch (3rd season), offensive coordinator Karson Pike (5th season) and special teams coordinator Jordan Hein (3rd season) as the only coaches with returning game-experience on the BSU sideline.

USF HC Jon Anderson has announced team captains

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.The four seniors helped lead USF to the program's fourth NCAA DII playoff appearance in five seasons in 2019 when the Cougars recorded an 8-4 overall mark. USF registered its 26th straight winning season, which is the fourth-longest across all divisions in the NCAA.

Smith, who is enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program at USF, is a senior wide receiver. He has accumulated 65 catches for 927 yards and four TDs. Smith, who has 23 games played with 21 starts, has had at least two catches in a game 15 times and recorded 80 yards or more in receiving yards four times. He has a pair of 100-yard receiving games with a high of 110 yards on five receptions and a TD against Minnesota State in 2018. He had his career-high with eight catches (94 yards) against Upper Iowa in 2018. Smith is a three-time Academic All-NSIC  honoree and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from USF in May 2020.

Enalls, a two-time All-NSIC honoree, has accumulated 134 career tackles, including 77 solo stops, at USF. Named second-team All-NSIC in 2019, he has 12.5 career tackles for loss and 8.5 career sacks with five fumble recoveries. During his career, Enalls, who was honorable mention All-NSIC in 2018, has had at least two tackles in a game 25 times with four or more tackles in a game 17 times. A force in the middle of USF's defense, he and Wehrkamp have been part of a defense ranked among the five nationally in total defense twice (2017, 2019). He has had double-digit tackles with a career-high 13, including four solo stops, against Colorado School of Mines in the 2019 DII playoffs. A psychology and criminal justice major, Enalls has played in 33 games with 31 starts during his career.

Wehrkamp, a two-time Academic All-NSIC honoree, has been a staple in the USF defensive front for three seasons. He has registered 35 starts with 95 career tackles of which 55 are solo stops. The senior defensive end has recorded 19.0 tackles for loss with eight sacks. He has registered three career pass breakups, three passes defended and forced Joey two fumbles. Nine times, he has had four or more tackles in a game from his defensive end position. He is enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program. 

In 2019, Reisdorfer earned All-NSIC honors (second team) after accumulating 1,150 rushing yards in 169 carries with 13 rushing TDs. He had 19 total TDs in making 11 starts in 12 games during USF's playoff season in 2019. He is one of the few players in school history to score three different ways on offense (rush/receiving/kickoff return). Reisdorfer, who is an exercise major, has totaled 1,252 rushing yards on 191 carries for 6.55 yards per carry in his career. He has 114 career points and was ranked in six rushing and scoring categories in NCAA DII in 2019. Thuro Reisdorfer - 2017

Reisdorfer ranked third in the NSIC in total rushing yards with 1,150, which was 17th in DII. He was second in the NSIC and 13th in DII in yards per carry at 6.8 while ranking third in the league and 31st in DII in rushing yards per game at 95.8 per game. His 19 TDs ranked second in the league and seventh in NCAA DII. In addition, he ranked fourth in the NSIC in all purpose yards with 1,474 or 122.8 per game (42nd nationally). Reisdorfer had nine games of 100 yards or more all purpose yards and five games of 100 yards rushing or more. He set a career-high 171 yards rushing on 13 carries with two TDs against Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 19, 2019 and had a career-high 220 all-purpose yards. He also had 19 carries for 166 yards and two TDs in the NCAA DII playoffs against Colorado Mines on Nov. 23, 2019.

Cougars own a 4-2 edge over Bemidji State in all-time series

USF owns a 4-2 edge in the series with Bemidji State, dating back to the first game on Sept. 4, 1982 when the Cougars took a 14-12 decision in Sioux Falls. In 1983, the Beavers won, 31-0, on Sept. 3 in Bemidji, Minn. On Sept. 22, 2012, USF took a 21-5 decision at Bob Young Field. In the game, USF used suffocating defense to record the win. The Cougars trailed 5-0 before Eric Anderson intercepted a pass by BSU's Alex Hass and took it to the end zone from 28 yards out for a 8-5 lead as the Cougars converted a two-point conversion on a pass from Taylor Perkins to Austin Van Hove. Later, Perkins, who completed 11-of-25 passes for 178 yards, connected with Jeremiah Oates on a 15-yard TD pass for a 15-5 lead. Braden Wieking added field goals of 23 and 27 yards for the final advantage.

USF registered a 52-19 win at Bemidji State on Sept. 13, 2014 and a 37-36 come-from behind decision in 2016.  In 2018, the Cougars led, 21-3, before a late rally by BSU turned the game and the Beavers emerged with a 25-21 decision.  In 2014, USF jumped out to a 24-0 lead before the Beavers rallied with 19 points in the third quarter to cut the lead to 24-19. Then USF closed with a 28-0 run in the fourth quarter. USF forced six turnovers, turning three into scores, including an 88-yard interception return by Cameron Ostrom. On offense, Nephi Garcia had 25 carries for 134 yards and three TDs, including a 64-yard scoring run. In 2016, No. 14 USF trailed 20-3 at halftime before putting together a 34-point third quarter and take a 37-30 lead over the visiting Beavers. USF had 636 yards in total offense, including 406 yards rushing on 41 attempts, led by All-American Max Mickey with 14 carries for 207 yards and a 75-yard TD run to open the third quarter. Luke Papilion threw for 229 yards and two TDs and had 163 yards rushing with a 46-yard TD run. BSU had 486 yards in total offense, including 259 yards passing. Jordan Hein, now on the BSU coaching staff, completed 20-of-34 passes for 259 yards and three TDS while also rushing for a score. BSU had a chance at the win after Hein scored on a one-yard TD run with 17 seconds to play. However USF stopped a two-point conversion. In 2018 Before a BSU homecoming crowd of 3,449 people, the Cougars built a 21-3 lead in the third quarter before the Beavers rallied with the final 22 points of the game to win the key NSIC cross division matchup. BSU defeated the Cougars for the first time in USF's DII era as the Cougars own a 4-2 all-time lead in a series which dates to 1982. Against BSU, Gabe Watson finished with 27 carries for 126 rushing yards and three TDs. He scored touchdowns on runs of 39, four and two yards. In a game in which both teams were held below season averages in points and yardage, USF totaled 308 yards on 59 plays while BSU had 82 plays for 352 yards. USF entered the game averaging 302.8 rushing yards but were held to 163 on 38 carries. BSU had 186 rushing yards on 55 carries.Redshirt sophomore Ty Smith led the Cougars with four catches for 47 yards while tight end Clint Sigg totaled three catches for 43 yards. Harvey Enalls had a career-best with 13 tackles, and recorded a sack, tackle for loss and forced a fumble.  

Preview - Cougars have high energy fall
After losing the 2020 season to the CoVID-19 pandemic, a veteran team mixed with talented newcomers will look to make the 101st year in University of Sioux Falls football history special. The Cougars, led by Head Coach Jon Anderson, are showcasing high energy with a focused and driven approach to continuing a long legacy of winning at USF.

Beginning in 1902 and continuing into the 21st century, the program has thrived on high expectations through a rich tradition heaped in excellence. The Cougars have 451 wins (451-418-20), 26 consecutive winning seasons and earned postseason NCAA DII playoff berths in four of five seasons. It is a program that has four national NAIA championship and 20 conference crowns including the 2016 team that was unbeaten in NSIC play. 

Adding to that, USF is a squad that was a top-35 offense nationally in 2019 with a defense that was one of the nation's best (top-five). According to Anderson, USF is aware of the high expectations of this program. And, it makes his players focused on results. 

"On this team, I see a lot of veterans who have played a lot of football and are knocking rust off," said Anderson. "They are in shape and excited to be back and playing competition. We also have several other guys who have experience in the program and while limited experience are ready to step up. Already this fall, we are seeing a lot of good things," he said. 

Expectations for the 2021 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 24-11 as he begins year five with the Cougars. "We accomplished a lot this this summer in strength and conditioning and with leadership. With number of returners and seniors coming back, leadership has been good. The challenge for us is not just a year older but a year better. And, we will try to continue to improve throughout fall camp and be ready to play when we open the season on Thursday, Sept. 2 against Bemidji State. 

The offense, which is directed by fifth-year coordinator Jim Chapin, has eight starters returning to a unit that led the NSIC in total offense and ranked 35th in NCAA DII with 427.3 yards per game. 

 

As a unit, USF ranked second in scoring at 35.3 points per game (423 total points) with 57 TDs (second most in the NSIC). It was an offense that featured balance with 216.2 yards per game (second in the NSIC) and 211.4 passing yards per game with its 8.6 average per play ranking second and the 61.2 percent completion rate the best in the league. 

USF had 519 attempts for 2,594 rushing yards for 5.0 per rush and 28 TDs (second in the NSIC). In the passing game, USF was ninth in the league with 180-of-294 completions for 2,537 yards.   

In reviewing down the offense, USF will to replace All-NSIC quarterback Caden Walters with a group of four contending for the position including redshirt sophomore Josh Swanson (6-4, 202, Pewaukee, Wisc.), redshirt freshman Adam Mullen (6-0, 195, Highlands Park, Colo.), freshman Jaice Miller (6-4, 225, Champlin, Minn; and freshman Tyler Schuster, 6-2, 195, Andover, Minn.). Mullen has won the starting job with Swanson listed second on the depth chart.

USF's rushing game has the potential to again be one of the best in the NSIC and in the region with the return of second team-All-NSIC running back Thuro Reisdorfer (6-1, 206, Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Ja'Tai Jenkins (5-10, 195, Goodyear, Ariz.). Jaqueeze Lockett, a redshirt freshman from Milwaukee, Wisc., and redshirt sophomore Landon Freeman of Sioux Falls also providing depth.

In 12 games, including 11 starts, Reisdorfer had 1,150 yards rushing (third in the NSIC, 17th in DII) on 169 carries with 13 rushing TDs (2nd, NSIC; 22nd, DII). Reisdorfer, who was named second team All-NSIC and is USF's Offensive Player to Watch (NSIC), was ranked in six rushing and scoring categories in NCAA DII.  The redshirt junior was second in the NSIC and 13th in DII in yards per carry at 6.8 yards per rush and ranked third in the league and 31st in DII in rushing yards per game at 95.8 per game. With 19 TDs, he was second in the league and seventh in NCAA DII in scoring. His 114 points and 9.5 points per game also ranked second in the league and was 10th (points) and 16th (ppg) in NCAA DII. Reisforder, who had a 98 yard TD run and an 80-yard kickoff return for a TD, ranked fourth in the NSIC in all-purpose yards with 122.8 per game (42nd nationally). He had nine games of 100 yards or more all-purpose yards.

Jenkins, a redshirt sophomore, had 105 carries for 579 yards (second on USF in yards) and four TDs. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry and 48.2 yards per game. In addition, he had four catches for 55 yards and a TD and recorded 634 all-purpose yards. That 1-2 punch, which Anderson said is as good as any in the NSIC, will be complemented by sophomore speedster Landon Freeman (5-11, 178, Sioux Falls, S.D.), redshirt freshman Jacqueze Lockett (5-11, 165, Milwaukee, Wisc.) and Dylan Rudingen (5-9, 205, Sunborg, Minn.). It is a deep backfield and one that has great potential.

Redshirt junior Ty Smith (6-4, 215, Sioux Falls, S.D.) leads the receiving corps, called by Anderson, with the potential to be most talented and deepest group USF has had in over five years. 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. Transfer Dom Pegley (6-1, 215, Akron, Ohio) has the flair for the big play. A second team all-conference selection at Alderson Broaddus, Pegley hauled in 50 passes for 779 yards and seven TDs in 2019. He five game of 100 yards or more including a career-best 153. Sophomore Tanner Beaton (5-10, 168, Fargo, N.D.), had three catches for 33 yards in 2019. Also Carter Slykhuis (5-10, 162, Tea, S.D.) is expected to be in the mix at wide receiver and has earned an opening day start.Also back in the wide receiver group is Darrion Conrad (5-10, 163, Maywood, Ill.), who provides speed and athleticism. He has seven catches for 47 yards in two seasons with USF.

Anderson is confident in his offensive front, which returns experience and a multitude of talented newcomers and returners. 

USF returns two starters on the offensive line including redshirt junior Jackson Wright (6-5, 295, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa) and redshirt sophomore Brennan Moran (6-4, 300, No. Sioux City, Iowa). They are joined by Terrell Connor (6-6, 290, Owatonna, Minn.), who has played in 20 career games with 12 starts and a career grade of 81 percent. Moran also has a career 81 percent grade, started in 12 straight games in 2021 and led the Cougars with 58 knockdowns. 

Connor also played in eight games and had an 81 percent grade. Also back with experience is Bryce Couch (6-3, 295, Trenton, Ohio), who has an 82 percent grade in 15 career games. USF will also look to Jasper Parks (6-7, 295, Mesa, Ariz., Western New Mexico), Matt Kjellegaard (6-3, 285, Oakdale, Calif., transfer from Fresno State), Sebastian Pares (6-6, 270, redshirt freshman, West Chicago, Ill.), Jered Dexter (6-4, 290, Brentwood, Calif., Laney College transfer)  Zach Lyons (6-0, 292, Eldersburg, Md.) and Peter Narrai (6-4, 285, Franklin, Wisc.).

Led by the return of redshirt junior Ben Sokup (6-5, 250, Altoona, Wisc.), USF will be deep and talented at tight end. Sokup, a nominee for the AFCA/All Good State Team and an Academic All-NSIC in 2020, had six catches for 136 yards in 2019 when he started eight and played in 12 games. He will be joined by redshirt junior Caleb Kennedy (6-5, 250, Broomfield, Colo.), freshman Mark Leonard (6-5, 250, Rochester, Minn.), redshirt freshman Hunter Schneider (6-4, 245, Ripon, Wisc.) and sophomore Josiah Jansen (6-5, 245, Orange City, Iowa). It is a group that has size, good speed and the capacity to make big plays.

USF's defense returns seven starters to unit that ranked fourth in DII

In 2019, the Cougars defense was again one of the best in DII, ranking4th in NCAA DII and second in the NSIC by allowing 260.7 yards per game. The Cougars were 14th in DII with 17.3 points per game while owning a fifth place ranking in pass efficiency defense. USF was 12th in DII and second in passing (161.8 yards per game) and ranked fourth in the NSIC and 16th in DII by limiting opponents to 98.8 yards per game. 

It was the second time in three seasons that USF had one of the nation's top 10 defenses. And, this year returns a wealth of talent. Starting on the defense line, the Cougars have a unit that should create pressure while stopping opponent rushing attacks.

According to Anderson, one of the strengths of the team will be the defensive line.  Leading the way is redshirt senior Joey Wehrkamp (6-2, 250, Sioux Falls, S.D.), who has 95 career tackles (55 solo stops) in 35 starters in his career. He has recorded 19 tackles for loss with eight sacks. Also upfront for USF will be redshirt sophomore Amaurii Grosskopf (6-4, 280, Beloit, Wisc.), who had 39 tackles with 22 solo stops and five tackles for loss in 2019. USF also rerurns David Vargas (6-3, 299, Randolph, N.J.), who has 39 career tackles with 20 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss in 13 games. Also upfront will be redshirt junior Jesse Ybarra (6-1, 280, Moreno Valley, Calif.), senior David Martinez (6-4, 290, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) as well as freshman Walker Harris (6-1, 215, Summerfield, N.C./Jacksonville State transfer). 

At linebacker, USF will be led by All-NSIC standout Harvey Enalls  (6-1, 225, Sioux Falls, S.D.), who time has earned all-league honors. He has recorded 134 career tackles with 77 solo stops. Enalls, a redshirt senior, has 12.5 career tacklesf or loss, 8.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries. He has had two tackles or more in a game 25 times and four or more tackles 17 times with double-digits twice.  "Harvey Enalls does a great job at leading the defense," said Anderson.

Others at lienbacker will be redshirt sophomore Cody Jantzen (6-3, 230, St. Germain, Wisc.), who had 10 tackles in 12 games in 2019. He is joined by redshirt sophomore Masaeo Wooden (6-1, 239, Milwaukee, Wisc.), redshirt junior Grant Rice (6-3, 230, Gayville, S.D.), redshirt freshman Noah Schmitt (6-0, 200, Jordan, Minn.), freshman Dylan Law (6-3, 225, Crystal Lake, Ill.) and junior Ty'Rese Washington (6-2, 205, Columbia, S.C.). 

Anderson also feels his secondary is solid, led by several returns. At cornerback redshirt senior Dorian Fedrick (6-2, 177, Rialto, Calif.) had 32 tacles (17 solos) with a tackle for loss, interception and six pass breakups in 2019. He will be hoined by senior transfer Lee Pitts (5-11, 190, Agoura Hills, Calif./Azusa Pacific transfer), redshirt sophomore  Connor Aldrich (6-1, 174, Rockford, Ill.) freshman Justin Mathieu (6-2, 185, Naples, Fla.). 

At safety, veteran Nate Durfee is back for his senior campaign.  Durfee (6-1, 205, Sioux Falls, S.D.), has 127 career tackles (79 solo stops) in 35 games with 24 starts. He has 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions with nine passes defended and eight breakups. Redshirt junior Gio Purpura (6-2, 185, McHenry, Ill.), has played in 23 games with 33 career tackles and 22 solo stops. He has three tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. Also in the safety role will be sophomore Carter Lohr (6-0, 175, Sioux Falls, S.D.), who had a great spring, said Anderson. He also played in three games for the 2019 playoff team. Redshirt senior Chris Hill (6-1, 210, Bealeton, Virginia/Alderson Broaddus) has 46 career tackles and a forced fumble while at Alderson Broaddus in 2019. 

On the special teams, USF will utilize Luke Barnes and Anthony Villarreal in the snapping roles. At punter, USF will look to freshman Seamus Hall (6-2, 185, Walla Walla, Wash.), or freshman Nick Hernandez (6-0, 185, San Antonio, Texas) while Hernandez and junior Peter Slyso (6-1, 25, Rovinka, Slovakia/Sterling College), who try and win placing kicking duties.