By: Madie Brink
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls football team has been selected to finish fourth overall in the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced today. The Cougars were also picked to finish third in the NSIC South Division ahead of the upcoming season.
In addition to the team recognition, junior wide receiver Hank Brown Jr. was selected as USF's Preseason Offensive Player to Watch, while junior linebacker Andy Henson earned the Cougars' Defensive Player to Watch designation.
Minnesota State topped the overall preseason poll with 166 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by defending NSIC Champion Minnesota Duluth (154 points) and Augustana (145). Sioux Falls rounded out the top four heading into the 2026 campaign. The Mavericks were also selected to win the South Division, while Minnesota Duluth was picked atop the North Division.
The Cougars enter the season with optimism after returning an experienced roster featuring a strong core of upperclassmen on both sides of the ball.
"I am really excited about this group," said head coach Jim Glogowski. "Since January there has been a focused and determined mindset about them. That mindset continued through spring practices and into the summer. We have a large group of upperclassmen that have played quite a bit of football. I have a lot of confidence that they understand what it takes to succeed in the NSIC."
Brown Jr. returns after establishing himself as one of the conference's premier playmakers during the 2025 season. The Urbandale, Iowa, native started all 11 games and led the Cougars with 83 receptions for 979 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 89.0 receiving yards per game last season. He also added a rushing touchdown and 191 kickoff return yards. Brown Jr. earned First Team All-NSIC honors, Second Team D2CCA All-Super Region recognition and was recognized as a Dave & Buster's USF Athlete of the Week.
"Hank is one of the hardest working players I have had the opportunity to coach," Glogowski said. "He leads by example and is constantly working on his craft. He has made an impact on our program since the day he arrived—not just on the field but off it as well. He has a quiet confidence about him that raises the play of those around him."
Henson was selected as the Cougars' Defensive Player to Watch after anchoring the middle of the defense over the past two seasons. Following a breakout 2024 campaign in which he was named the NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-NSIC after recording 63 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a forced fumble, Henson appeared in seven games in 2025, totaling 24 tackles and a blocked kick while earning NSIC Fall All-Academic Team honors.
"Andy is a prototypical MIKE linebacker," Glogowski said. "He is a big, physical kid who can run sideline to sideline. He is a student of the game and plays a key role in getting our defense lined up and ready to play. His effort and attitude sets the tone for that side of the ball."
The NSIC will once again feature 14 football-playing institutions in 2026, divided into North and South divisions. Teams will play a 10-game conference schedule, with six divisional contests counting toward division championships. The conference will crown three champions: Overall, North Division and South Division.
New this season, the NSIC Network is powered by Midco Sports Plus, providing fans with live and on-demand streaming access to every home regular season conference and non-conference football game, along with NSIC championship events.
Sioux Falls opens the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27 hosting Black Hills State, before beginning conference play in pursuit of an NSIC championship.
SINGLE GAME & SEASON TICKETS
Single game and season ticket renewals are now available for the 2026 season. Season ticket holders who wish to make changes to their seating location, add additional tickets, or opt out of their renewal are encouraged to contact Clint Neumann at tickets@usiouxfalls.edu for assistance.
New season ticket packages are also on sale for fans looking to secure their spot at Bob Young Field this fall.
Upon purchase, fans will receive an order confirmation via email. Tickets will be accessible through their online account, and fans are encouraged to download and save tickets to their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for the most efficient entry on gameday.
Additional information regarding ticket access and gameday procedures will be shared prior to season.
Fans can renew or purchase season tickets by visiting USFCougars.com/tickets.
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