BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) released its 2025 Preseason Coaches' Poll today, with Minnesota State picked as the league favorite. The University of Sioux Falls was selected 5th in the 14-team conference heading into the fall campaign.

Minnesota State garnered 11 first-place votes and 167 points to lead the poll, while defending NSIC Champion Augustana was second with 153 points and the remaining three first-place nods. Minnesota Duluth (139 points) and Bemidji State (130 points) rounded out the top four, with UMD and BSU tying for the top spot in the North Division. Minnesota State was selected as the favorite in the South Division.

This fall marks the return of a 14-team league with the addition of the University of Jamestown. The NSIC's revamped format will feature two divisions (North/South), with each team playing 10 conference games that count toward the overall championship and six that count toward divisional titles. At season's end, three champions will be crowned: the NSIC Overall Champion, North Division Champion, and South Division Champion.

USF is coming off a strong 2024 campaign, finishing 8-3 overall with no signs of slowing down. The Cougars averaged over 30 points per game and tallied 4,081 yards of total offense, powered by a balanced attack of 2,251 passing yards and 1,830 on the ground. Defensively, USF allowed just 3,729 total yards and held opponents to 32 touchdowns.

"We are really looking forward to the 2025 season," said USF Head Coach Jim Glogowski, entering his third year at the helm. "We feel we've built depth around a solid core group, and our players have been putting in the work since January. We've got veteran leaders in key positions, and that gives me a lot of confidence in this team's potential."

Among those leaders are senior quarterback Camden Dean and redshirt sophomore linebacker Andy Henson, who were both named USF's Players to Watch in the NSIC preseason honors.

Dean, the engine of the Cougar offense, enters his senior season following a standout 2024 performance. He completed 166-of-258 passes for 2,194 yards and 23 touchdowns, while adding 671 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground.

"Cam is the leader of our offense," Glogowski said. "He's one of the most competitive players I've ever coached. His ability to make plays with his feet is what makes him special—he can extend plays, run when needed, and deliver the ball with accuracy."

On the defensive side, Henson returns after an impressive redshirt freshman season, where he totaled 63 tackles, including 6.5 for loss, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

"Andy has a rare combination of size and speed," Glogowski said. "He can make plays sideline to sideline and brings a physical presence to the field. He's humble, hard-working, and a true student of the game."

The Cougars open their 2025 season on Thursday, August 28, with non-conference action at Black Hills State, aiming to build on last year's momentum and compete for a spot at the top of the NSIC.

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