For Immediate Release
Monday, November 10, 2014
NSIC Media Relations
Full PDF Release
NSIC Offensive Player of the Week
#6 Nick Pieruccini (QB, 6-1, 210, So., Chicago, Ill. / Notre Dame College Prep HS)
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Pieruccini led the Maverick rushing attack with 91 rushing yards and three touchdowns and threw for a career high career-high 297 yards, including a touchdown, in the Mavericks 49-0 win at Wayne State. Pieruccini was nearly perfect passing as he hit 20 of his 22 attempts (90.9 %) to total 388 yards of total offense as the Mavericks have now won 32 consecutive NSIC games and have secured at least a share of the NSIC South Division Championship.
NSIC Defensive Player of the Week
#20 Abe Roehrich (DB, 5-11, 200, R-Fr., Stanley, N.D. / Stanley HS)
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Roehrich led the Dragon defense with 12 tackles, including seven solo in a 27-21 win at Bemidji State. He also had an interception in the end zone in final two minutes to helped seal the win over the Beavers. He also had a pass breakup as the Dragons took home the “Battle Axe” traveling trophy for the second straight season.
NSIC Special teams Player of the Week
#30 Eric Mielke (K/P, 5-9, 178, Sr., Cambridge, Minn. / Cambridge-Isanti HS)
St. Cloud State University
Mielke made field goals of 25 and 26-yards and was three of three in PAT’s in the Huskies 27-14 win over Minot State. He also punted five times for an average of 39.8 yards with a long of 50 yards. He started the Huskies scoring with a 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter and added his 26-yard field goal late in the third quarter as all of St. Cloud State’s scoring came in the second and third quarters.
2014 NSIC Football Weekly Notes
Augustana (5-5 NSIC, 2-4 South)
www.goAugie.com - KIKN 100.5-FM
Jerry Olszewski - UW-Stevens Point ‘93 - 2nd Season
Last Season 4-7 NSIC, 2-5 South (t-6th)
Last Week - at CU L 17-7
#42 Ben Skelly (LB, 6-1, 205, Sr., Lakeville, Minn./North HS)
- Led Augustana defensively with 15 tackles against Concordia-St. Paul
- Recorded eight solo tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss against the Golden Bears
- Recovered one fumble and had one quarterback hurry
- Registered his third double-digit tackle game
- Finished one tackle shy of tying his career-high
#28 CJ Ham (RB, 6-1, 238, Jr., Duluth, Minn./Denfeld HS)
- Led Augustana’s rushing attack with 94 yards on 12 carries
- Averaged 7.8 yards per carry
- Had a rush of 20 yards in the game
- Started off the game with three consecutive 15-yard runs on the Vikings first three offensive plays of the game
THIS WEEK - at SMSU
Augustana will close-out the 2014 season next Saturday at Southwest Minnesota State
The Vikings are in search of their first winning season since 2011 when they take on the Mustangs
SMSU won its first game over Augustana since 1991 last season
The Vikings had won 15 straight games over the Mustangs before last season’s loss
Bemidji State (3-7 NSIC, 3-3 North)
www.bsubeavers.com - The River 92.1 FM
Jeff Tesch - MSU Moorhead ‘78 - 19th Season
Last Season 3-8 NSIC, 1-6 North (t-7th)
Last Week - at SCSU - vs MSUM - L 27-21
#41 Tahi Nomane (RB, 5-10, 200, Fr., Maple Grove, Minn. (Maple Grove HS))
- Led the Beavers run game against MSU Moorhead totaling 99 yards on 25 carries and put up two touchdowns.
- Nomane now leads BSU’s 2014 single game high for rushes (25), yards rushing (99) and tied for touchdown runs (2).
- second on the team with 261 yards rushing with five TDs on the season.
- Nomane broke multiple career records in rushing attempts (25), rushing yards (99) and tied his rushing touchdown record of two.
#46 Connor Quinn (LB, 6-1, 235, Jr., Geneva, Ill. (Geneva HS))
- Charted 17 tackles, including 6 solo tackles.
- Quinn’s 17 tackles go down as a career high and a BSU single game high this season.
- tallied 0.5 sacks for a loss of five yards and 2.0 tackles for a loss of seven yards.
- Quinn now leads the “Gang Green” defense with 91 tackles along with 16.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks.
- Ranked 7th in the league for tackles (91) to average 9.1 per game
- Tied for 5th in sacks (6.5) in the NSIC
- Ranked 3rd in tackles for a loss (16.5)
#23 Chais Wakefield (K/P, 5-10, 175, Sr., Butternut, Wis. (Park Falls HS))
- Led the Beavers special teams efforts punting seven times against MSU Moorhead for a total of 232 yards to average 33.1 yards a punt.
- It marks his fourth straight game recording seven punts.
- Wakefield charted three punts inside the 20-yard line and one touchback.
- Two of Wakefield’s punts were downed in the five-yard line.
THIS WEEK - vs NSU
The Beavers host Northern State at 1 p.m.
The all-time series between BSU and NSU is tied 18-18-1 coming into the weekend.
In the last five meetings together, BSU is 3-2 with NSU earning a shutout win last season 27-0.
In the comfort of Chet Anderson Stadium, BSU is 11-5-1 against NSU.
Concordia-St. Paul (4-6 NSIC, 3-3 South)
www.cugoldenbears.com
Ryan Williams - NDSU ‘01 - 4th Season
Last Season 5-6 NSIC, 2-5 South (t-6th)
Last Week - vs AUGIE - W 17-7
#2 Tre Spears (RB, 5-11, 225, Sr., Chicago, Ill. / Morgan Park HS)
- Registered second-straight 200-plus yard rushing game (25-206) with two touchdowns
- Led the team to a second-straight 300-plus yard rushing game and third-straight victory
- Vaulted to second in the NSIC in rushing yards with 1,123, just 28 yards off the league lead
- Posted first career 1,000 yard rushing season
- Has topped 3,000 career NSIC rushing yards in 41 league games with 3,029 to rank 9th in league history
- Became Concordia’s fifth 3,000-yard career rusher with 3,042 in 43 overall games and ranks fourth in team history
- Snaps 6-game losing streak to the Vikings, picking up first win over Augie at Sea Foam Stadium in three meetings
- Win moves Concordia to 3-3 in the NSIC South Division in a tie for third place after three straight victories
- Doubled Augie QB Trey Heid’s season INT total in the first quarter with two interceptions. Heid had a 22-2 TD-INT ratio entering play. Concordia added a third INT off backup Chase Marso in the fourth quarter in the end zone to win turnover battle 3-1
THIS WEEK - at WSU
Concordia-St. Paul at Winona State, noon
- Concordia 3-13 against WSU all-time and 0-6 in Winona
- Golden Bears defeated Warriors 23-13 at Metrodome in 2013 finale to snap a 7-game losing streak to WSU
- Prior to 2013, Concordia’s two wins over WSU came in NSIC Championship seasons of 2003 and 2005 which were co-titles with WSU
- A win gives Concordia four straight wins to close out 2014 and an identical 5-6 overall record to the 2013 team along with a program-best 4-3 NSIC South Division finish
University of Mary (5-5 NSIC, 3-3 North)
www.goumary.com - KFYR 550 AM
Josh Kotelnicki - North Dakota ‘02 - 1st Season
Last Season 6-5 NSIC, 4-3 North (t-3rd)
Last Week at UMD - L 53-35
Elby Pope (WR, 6-0, 190, Grand Forks, N.D. / Red River)
- Caught 10 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns against #2 Minnesota Duluth
- Scoring receptions covered 20 and 65 yards
- Returned four kickoffs for 62 yards, including a long of 33 yards
- Third straight week of double digit catches and triple digit yardage
- In the past three games Pope has caught 32 passes for 471 yards and four TDs
- Is now 7th in the NSIC in catches (63), fifth in receiving yardage (849), second in all purpose yardage (156.5 yards/game) and ninth in touchdowns (9).
Zach Roberson (QB, 6-3, 240, Jr., Sonora, Calif. / Summerville Union)
- Completed 31-of-56 passes for 408 yards and four touchdowns with one interception against #2 Bulldogs
- Third straight game eclipsing 400 yards passing
- 1st U-Mary player to have three 400 yard passing games in the school’s NCAA era (2006 and on)
- Over the last three games has thrown for 1,277 yards and 12 TDs
- His interception was the first thrown this season, covering 204 passes
Austin Bolton (LB, 5-11, 240, So., Joliet, Ill. / Joliet Catholic Academy)
- Recorded 14 tackles against the #2 Bulldogs, including .5 tackles for loss
- Has six solo stops in the game
- Both total tackles and solo tackles are career-highs
- Has posted double digit tackles in each of the last two games
THIS WEEK at SCSU
- 0-8 lifetime against St. Cloud State
- Lost 20-13 at home last season to the Huskies
- Have played SCSU every season since beginning NCAA play in 2006
Minnesota Crookston (0-10 NSIC, 0-6 North)
www.goldeneaglesports.com - KROX 1260 AM
Mike Fritze - Winona State - 2nd Season
Last Season 2-9 NSIC, 2-5 North (6th)
Last Week - at NSU - L 62-13
The University of Minnesota Crookston football team fell 62-13 to Northern State University Saturday at Swisher Field in Aberdeen, S.D. The Golden Eagles were led on the game by Dre Person, who had 18 rushes for 133 yards and one touchdown. In addition, quarterback Travon Hearns had nine rushes for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Jake Newman led the way with 13 tackles with one interceptions, while Greg Lofquist notched his seventh straight game with 10 or more tackles with 12 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss.
THIS WEEK - at MSUM
The University of Minnesota Crookston football team will take on MSU Moorhead in the third annual “Red River Valley Showdown” sponsored by State Farm Insurance. The Golden Eagles won last year’s battle against MSU Moorhead 20-14 and currently hold the “State Farm Traveling Trophy”. The Golden Eagles are looking for their second-straight as they chase their first win of the season in Moorhead, Minn. at 1 p.m. Sat., Nov. 15.
Minnesota Duluth (10-0 NSIC, 6-0 North)
www.umdbulldogs.com - KQDS-AM 1490
Curt Wiese - Minnesota State ‘00 - 2nd Season
Last Season 11-2, 10-1 NSIC, 7-0 North (1st)
Last Week - vs U-Mary - W 53-35
Logan Lauters (RB, 5-9, 20, Jr, Cedarburg, Wis.)
- Rushed 21 times (equaling a 2014-15 UMD single-game high) for 147 yards and two touchdowns in a 53-35 home triumph over Mary Saturday.
- Eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the sixth time this season
- Also caught one pass for eight yards
Junior running back Logan Lauters is averaging a staggering -- and NSIC leading -- 7.9 yards per carry this fall.
The Bulldogs have turned the football over only eight times all season (four fumbles and four picks) and own a +12 turnover ratio
THIS WEEK - at MISU
The 10-0 Bulldogs will look to put the finishing touches on their fifth unbeaten, untied regular season in the program’s 82-year history this Saturday when they visit Minot State University. That group currently consists of the 1980 (10-0), 2002 (11-0), 2008 (11-0) and 2010 (11-0) team. The latter two clubs went on to win the NCAA II national championship
UMD is 2-0 lifetime against the Beavers, having won 52-0 at home in 2013 (the Bulldogs’ last shutout victory) and 44-6 one year earlier in Minot.
The Bulldogs clinched at least a share of their seventh NSIC North Division title in as many years with Saturday’s 53-35 besting of Mary.
UMD has been outrushed by an opponent only once since the 2012 opener -- a stretch of 35 games -- and that was by Bemidji State on Oct. 10, 2013 in Bemidji (258 yards to 203).
Minnesota State (10-0 NSIC, 6-0 South)
www.msumavericks.com - 1230-AM KYSM
Todd Hoffner - Valley City State ‘89 - 5th Season
Last Season 11-1, 11-0 NSIC, 7-0 South (1st)
Last Week - at WSC - W 49-0
#6 Nick Pieruccini, QB, 6-1, 210, So., Chicago, Ill./Notre Dame College Prep
- Led the Maverick rushing attack with 91 rushing yards and 3 TDs
- Threw for a career-high 297 passing yards, including one TD pass.
- Scored 18 points in MSU’s 49-0 shutout of Wayne State.
#50 Kris Fleigle, LB, 6-3, 205, Sr., Blaine, Minn./Moundsview
- Returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown against the Wildcats.
- Tallied three tackles and broke up one pass.
With its win over Wayne State, the Mavericks have now won 32 consecutive NSIC games and have secured at least a share of the NSIC South Division Championships.
Minnesota State is now 7-0 all-time against Wayne State.
MSU’s 49-0 shutout victory over Wayne State is its third shutout of the season.
THIS WEEK - vs UIU
The Mavericks wrap up their regular season schedule next Saturday as they host Upper Iowa at Blakeslee Stadium.
MSU is 8-0 all-time against the Peacocks, including a 73-7 win at Fayette last season.
MSU Moorhead (3-7 NSIC, 2-4 North)
www.msumdragons.com - 106.1-FM KQLX
Steve Laqua - NDSU ‘03 - 4th Season
Last Season 4-7 NSIC, 4-3 North (t-3rd)
Last Week - at BSU - W 27-21
Zayne Medhaug (RB, 6-1, 212, Jr., Wahpeton, N.D./Wahpeton HS)
--rushed for career-high 194 yards in wintery conditions in MSUM’s 27-21 win over Bemidji State which helped MSUM retain the Axe.
--also rushed for career-high three TD
--had touchdown runs of 85 (career-high) and 68 yards in fourth quarter to help MSUM preserve its lead.
--also caught three passes for 35 yards to lead receiving corps
--finished with 229 all-purpose yards.
Abe Roehrich (DB, 5-11, 200, RFr. Stanley, N.D./Stanley HS)
--interception in end zone in final two minutes helped seal MSUM’s 27-21 win over Bemidji State which helped MSUM retain the Axe.
--led MSUM with 12 tackles
--had seven solo stops and five assists
--also had a pass breakup
Michael Schwichtenberg (P/K, 6-0, 215, So., West Bend, Wis./West Bend HS)
--averaged 35.6 yards per punt in wintery conditions in 27-21 win over Bemidji State which helped MSUM retain the Axe.
--had a long punt of 56 yards
--also averaged 42 yards per kickoff
THIS WEEK - vs UMC
UMC and MSUM will meet in the third annual “Red River Valley Showdown” sponsored by State Farm Insurance. The Golden Eagles won last year’s battle against MSU Moorhead 20-14 and currently hold the “State Farm Traveling Trophy”.
Minot State (1-9 NSIC, 1-5 North)
www.msubeavers.com - KCJB AM 910
Tyler Hughes - Utah State ‘05 - 1st Season
Last Season 2-9, 1-6 NSIC (t-7th)
Last Week - vs SCSU - 27-14
#27 Thomas Bryson (DL, 6-5, 228, Jr., Layton, Utah / Layton / Snow College)
- Led the Beavers with 3.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss in a 27-14 loss to St. Cloud State Saturday at Herb Parker Stadium.
- His 3.0 sacks ties his own mark for best individual game this season. His 3.0 sacks also forced 20 yards in losses and his 4.5 tackles for a loss resulted in 27 yards.
- Finished with 12 total tackles, including four solo stops.
- Has a total of 8.5 sacks on the season, good for third in the Northern Sun.
Minot State couldn’t capitalize on a solid start and gave up 17 points in the second quarter to fall 27-14 at home Saturday.
MSU had a TD called back do to a hold and botched a field goal attempt in the first quarter before the Huskies scored 17 straight points.
#9 Leon La Deaux (WR, 6-3, 200, Sr., Port Orchard, Wash. / South Kitsap)
- Caught a season-best seven passes for a career high 142 yards.
- Had a long of 42 yards.
# 5 Levi Freidt (LB, 6-4, 209, Sr., Minot, N.D. / Bishop Ryan)
- Finished with a game-high 18 tackles, one short of the top game for the Beavers this season and two short of the top game in the NSIC.
- Now has 110 tackles this season, fourth in the NSIC.
# Zac Cunha (QB, 6-3, 234, Jr., Rocklin, Calif. / Roseville)
- Went 20-for-38 passing for 315 yards and two TDs.
- Threw two touchdown passes, hitting # 82 Porter Sturm (WR, 6-2, 185, Jr., Roy, Mont. / Roy) and #84 Ray Watkins (WR, 6-3, 188, RFr., West Melbourne, Fla. / Melbourne Central Catholic) for scores. It was Watkins first of his career.
- Has thrown 14 touchdowns to just five interceptions in 2014.
THIS WEEK - vs UMD
- MSU plays the final of a two-game homestand to finish the season, playing host to No. 2 UMD Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
- Minot State has struggled with the DII powerhouse Bulldogs, falling both times the teams have played NSIC games by a combined 96-6.
Northern State (7-3 NSIC, 5-1 North)
northernstatewolves.com - KGIM 1420 -AM & 107.1 FM
Tom Dosch - Dickinson State ‘92 - 5th Season
Last Season 4-7 NSIC, 3-4 North (5th)
Last Week - vs UMC - W 62-13
Jared Jacobson, QB, Sr., Rapid City, S.D., St. Thomas More HS
Jacobson passed for 286 yards, threw five touchdowns and ran for one more in Northern’s 62-13 win over Minnesota, Crookston. Jacobson accounted for all six of the Wolves’ first half touchdowns in the win. All of Jacobson’s scores came in the first two quarters of play as he sat out most of the second half due to the blowout.
THIS WEEK - at BSU
- Jacobson is just two career passing touchdowns shy of tying Jason Landmark’s school record of 67
- The Wolves are 3-10 all-time against Bemidji State. Northern won last year’s contest 27-0 in Aberdeen. It was one of two shutouts for NSU in 2013
- Northern has never won in Bemidji
- The Wolves’ seven victories this season are the most since 2003 and the most under Head Coach Tom Dosch
Sioux Falls (9-1 NSIC, 5-1 South)
www.usfcougars.com - KWSN 1230 AM
Jed Stugart - Azusa Pacific ‘94 - 5th Season
Last Season 6-5 NSIC, 4-3 South
Last Week - vs UIU - W 45-21
#15 Luke Papilion, QB, 6-5, 220, So., Denver, Colo. (Cherry Creek)
- For seventh straight game, Papilion threw for 200 yards as he hit on 26-of-33 passes for 287 yards and three TDs in just two and one-half quarters of #17 University of Sioux Fall’s 45-21 win over Upper Iowa. He also had 11 carries for 75 yards and a TD. Papilion, who accounted for four TDs in win, has rushed for 75 yards or more five times this season. He has three games over 100 yards rushing.
- Papilion has moved into 10th place on USF’s career passing chart (3,150 yards), completed passes to nine different receivers. The junior QB from Denver, Colo., also has 2,330 passing yards this season, which ranks 11th all-time at USF, just 235 yards behind all-time great Dax Michalena (2,564 yards, 2001).
- On the season, Papilion has completed 195-of-306 passes for 2,330 yards and 19 TDs with nine interceptions. Papilion, who has completed 63.7 percent of his passes, ranked sixth in the league in passing and fifth in total offense (2,981 yards). He has 135 carries for 651 yards and six TDs rushing as he has accounted for 25 TDs.
#4 David Clark, SS, 6-1, 200, Jr., San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern CC)
- In first start of season, Clark recorded a season high two interceptions and had a tackle in #17 USF’s 45-21 win over Upper Iowa.
- Part of defense that recorded three interceptions and now has a nation’s best 22 interceptions and 34 forced turnovers
- has 3 INTs (second on the team) and a fumble recovery, six tackles and a forced fumble
THIS WEEK - vs WSC
- #17 University of Sioux Falls (9-1, 5-1 NSIC South, 2nd) will stay at home to host Wayne State (5-5, 3-3 NSIC) in a regular season finale on Saturday at Bob Young Field at noon.
- USF owns a 2-0 record all-time vs. WSC including a 35-10 win in 2013 at Wayne, Neb.
- USF has nine wins for the second time in three years under head coach Jed Stugart.
- For the second time this season, USF recorded over 600 yards in total offense (606), surpassing 400 yards in total offense for the ninth time in 10 games. For the sixth time this season, USF scored over 40 points, which usually means success for the Cougars. In school history, USF is 144-1 when scoring over 40 points.
- For the fifth time this season, USF, which ranks tied for fourthzx nationally in turnover margin, recorded at least three takeaways, including three interceptions. The Cougars lead the NSIC with a 1.70 turnover margin (34-to-17). In total USF has six defensive TDs this season. The Cougars have a league/nation best 23 interceptions.
- Overall, the Cougars, who are now 8-1 in the DII era when totaling 500 yards in total offense, had 324 passing yards and 282 yards rushing on 60 carries against Upper Iowa. USF, which had a 38:10 to 21:50 time of possession margin, also had a season-high 100 plays on offense against the Peacocks.
- With the win over Upper Iowa, USF is two games over .500 all-time in 96 years, sitting 404-402-20.
- By defeating the Peacocks, the Cougars picked up a critical win in their bid to make the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in school history. The 25-point victory margin was the ninth time in 10 outings when USF has won by double digits point margins. It was the seventh game that the Cougars have won by 20 points or more.
- USF ranks third in total offense (475.7 yards per game) and third in scoring offense (40.7 ppg) in the NSIC. In addition, the Cougars, which forced three turnovers, rank first in the NISC in turnover margin (34-to-17) at 1.7 per game. In addition, the USF defense is second in scoring defense (17.1 ppg), third in rushing defense (123.6), and third in total defense (336.6 yards per game) in the league. - Led by junior cornerback Solomon St. Pierre’s league-best 10 interceptions (tied for 1st in NCAA DII), the Cougars have 23 interceptions as a team, which tops the NSIC by two picks. St. Pierre has tied a school record with his 10 picks and stands one away from tying the league mark.
Southwest Minnesota State (3-7 NSIC, 2-4 South)
www.smsumustangs.com - KARL 105.1 FM
Cory Sauter - Minnesota ‘97 - 5th Season
Last Season 7-5, 7-4 NSIC, 5-2 South (2nd)
Last Week - at WSU - W 39-34
Senior running back Tyler Tonderum, 5-10, 190, Armstrong, Iowa (Armstrong-Ringsted HS)
-Rushed for a season-high 196 yards and two touchdowns on season-high 43 carries.
-Third straight 100-yard rushing game.
-Had rushing touchdowns of 4 and 1 yards.
-Also finished with two receptions for 29 yards.
-Recorded game-high 225 yards of all-purpose yards.
-Helped lead SMSU to first win at Winona since 1992, snapping an 11-game losing streak.
-Became just the second SMSU player to reach 3,000 yards rushing in a career. He now has 3,014 yards on 534 carries.
Junior defensive end AJ Page, 6-6, 265, Minneapolis, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
-Recorded five tackles, three solo in win over Winona State.
-Finished with 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
-SMSU finished with four sacks during the game. Entered the game with eight all season.
Senior punter Mike Wenk, 6-0, 205, Hartford, S.D. (West Central HS
-Had five punts for a 40.6 yards average.
-Had three punts inside the Winona State 10-yard line.
-Two punts were downed at the WSU 3-yard line, including final punt with 1:26 left in the game, making WSU drive 97 yards for possible game-winning drive.
-Wenk entered the game as the NSIC leading punter and ranked No. 2 in Division II.
-Wenk is normally the team’s kicker, but has not handled kicking duties to an injury.
THIS WEEK - vs AUGIE
Southwest Minnesota State and Augustana meet for the 19th time on Saturday with Augustana?holding an 15-3 advantage in a series that started on Sept. 8, 1990 ... SMSU won last season’s game in Sioux Falls to snap Augustana’s 15-game winning streak dating back to 1995 ... SMSU won the first two games of the series in 1990 and 1991 ... SMSU is 1-8 all-time in Marshall with its lone win coming in 1990 ... SMSU has been held to nine or less points in eight of the 18 games, while Augustana has scored at least 25 points in 15 of the 18 games ... SMSU’s 34 points scored last season is its highest total in the series.
St. Cloud State (5-5 NSIC, 4-2 North)
www.scsuhuskies.com - KNSI 1450-AM
Scott Underwood - Augustana ‘88 - 7th Season
Last Season 12-2, 10-1 NSIC, 6-1 North (2nd)
Last Week - at MISU - W 27-14
Donte Starlin-Merriam (RB, RFY, Sun Prairie, Wis.) rushed for a career high 123 yards and caught a touchdown pass in the win at Minot. He carried the ball 17 times for 123 yards with a long gain of 23 yards. He caught two passes for 56 yards with a long of 26 that scored the Huskies first touchdown of the game. Starlin-Merriam rushed for 85 yards last week and has 213 yards rushing with all but five yards coming in the last two games.
Nate Meyer (So., QB, Cold Spring, Minn.) completed 15 of 24 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He has thrown two touchdown passes in five of the Huskies last six games and thrown for over 200 yards in five straight games. A ten-game starter, Meyer has completed 126 of 243 passes for 1,819 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Kyle Risinger (Sr., FS, Excelsior, Minn.) collected his fourth interception of the season, a team high, and the eighth of his career in the second quarter. His INT put the Huskies on the Minot 24-yard line and four plays later Meyer scored to put the Huskies ahead 17-0. Risinger moved into the Huskies top-20 for career interceptions.
Bo Putrah (Sr., DL, Faribault, Minn.) had two quarterback sacks for the Huskies against Minot State. This season he has ten tackles for loss (leads the team) and four quarterback sacks. He currently rankes fourth on the Huskies all-time charts in sacks with 18.5 and tackles for loss with 32.
Eric Mielke (Sr., K/P, Cambridge, Minn.) made field goals of 25 and 26-yards and was three of three in PAT’s in the Huskies 27-14 win over Minot State. He also punted five times for an average of 39.8 yards with a long of 50 yards. He started the Huskies scoring with a 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter and added his 26-yard field goal late in the third quarter as all of St. Cloud State’s scoring came in the second and third quarters.
THIS WEEK - vs U-Mary
The Huskies will bid farewell to 11 players who will complete their eligibility this season. This senior group includes #9 Taylor Berger (WR, Ramsey, Minn.), #93 Jeff Bias (DL, Racine, Wis.), #54 Patrick Faber (Fridley, Minn.), #58 Riley Kampsen (DL, Paynesville, Minn.), #26 Jarek Kunz (DB, Lake Geneva, Wis.), #30 Eric Mielke (K/P, Cambridge, Minn.), #94 Aaron Pavek (DL, Baxter, Minn.), #49 Bo Putrah (DL, Faribault, Minn.), #37 Kyle Risinger (DB, Excelsior, Minn.), #73 Mitchell Weideman (OL, Baxter, Minn.) and #27 Bobby Wills (DB, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.).
Jeff Bias (Sr., DE, Racine, Wis.) has moved into fifth on the all-time tackles for loss with 31.
The Huskies gained 337 yards of total offense and the defense held Minot State to 21 rushing yards.
The Huskies will host the University of Mary in the season finale at Husky Stadium on Saturday. St. Cloud State leads the all-time series with the Marauders, which began in 2006, 8-0. Last season the Huskies posted a 20-13 win over Minot 20-13 in Bismarck.
A win on Saturday would give St. Cloud State its seventh straight winning season.
Upper Iowa (6-4 NSIC, 2-4 South)
upperiowaathletics.com
Tom Shea - Dakota State ‘78 - 6th Season
Last Season 6-5 NSIC, 3-4 South (4th)
Last Week - at USF - L 45-21
- The #17 Cougars raced out to a 38-0 lead midway through the third quarter en route to a 45-21 victory over Upper Iowa
- Derek Gieskng (WR, 6-0, 202, R-Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Washington HS) and Shay Gutman (WR, 6-1, 188, R-Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Washington HS) entered the game as the #2 and #3 receivers all-time at UIU in career receptions. Dwayne Croker held the record with 194 from 2004-07, but with their 6 grabs apiece today both Cedar Rapids wideouts have moved up the list. Giesking is now the programs all-time leader in career receptions with 198, while Gutman is just behind tied for second with 194 heading into next week’s final game in an Upper Iowa uniform for both young men.
- Sioux Falls held the Peacocks ground game to just 36 yards and limited the NSIC’s leading rusher, Chris Smith, to 25 yards on 11 carries. The Cougars offense picked up 282 yards on the ground led by Nephi Garcia’s 106 yards as the USF running back took over the conference lead in rushing. Quarterback Luke Papilion ran for 78 yards and a touchdown and threw for 287 yards and three scores for the home team.
- Jaeschke completed 27 passes in 48 attempts for 362 yards and 3 touchdowns; although, the Peacock quarterback was intercepted twice. Hefty caught 7 passes for 135 yards, while Gutman and Giesking snared 6 passes for 91 and 52 yards, respectively. MacTaggart pulled in 5 balls while Smith added 4 catches out of the backfield.
- Alex Wahl led the defense with 14 tackles including 4.5 for loss, while Tate Thompson and Tyler Fisher added 10 stops apiece. Javon Moore and Zach Gardner each had 7 solo tackles on the day; Moore jumped on a loose ball for a fumble recovery.
THIS WEEK - at MSU
- Upper Iowa will head to Mankato, Minn. next Saturday, Nov. 15, for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the #1 Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Wayne State (5-5 NSIC, 3-3 South)
wscwildcats.com - KCTY 104.9, KTCH 1590
Dan McLaughlin - Bellevue ‘82 - 10th Season
Last Season 2-9 NSIC, 1-6 South (8th)
Last Week - vs MSU - L 49-0
True freshman running back Lane Yates (Omaha Westside) and senior wide receiver Brian Kent (Wauconda, Ill.) had the top games for the Wildcat offense in Saturday’s 49-0 loss to #1 Minnesota State. Yates ran for 57 yards on just 11 carries while Kent hauled in a team-best five receptions for 67 yards
Nick Monzu, a 6-0, 210 pound senior linebacker from Missouri Valley, Iowa, was named Egg Bowl MVP for the Wildcats after recording a game-high 13 tackles with two sacks and three tackles for loss against #1 Minnesota State. Monzu had 10 solo tackles, two sacks for 12 yards and three tackles for loss for 13 yards and became the 12th player in school history to surpass 300 tackles during his career (304).
THIS WEEK - at USF
Sioux Falls has won both meetings against Wayne State College - 24-14 in Sioux Falls two years ago and 35-10 last season in Wayne.
Winona State (4-6 NSIC, 1-5 South)
WinonaStateWarriors.com - KQAL 89.5
Tom Sawyer - Winona State ‘83 - 19th Season
Last Season 6-5 NSIC, 4-3 South (3rd)
Last Week - vs SMSU - L 39-34
Despite sophomore quarterback Jack Nelson’s third 400-yard passing game of his career and second this second this season and the Warriors outgaining Southwest Minnesota State 513-449 in total yards, the Warriors fell to the Mustangs 39-34 Saturday afternoon at Warrior Stadium.
The sophomore Nelson was an efficient 23-for-40 for 410 yards and four touchdowns while going over the 400-yard plateau for the second time this season (423 yards vs. Mary) and third time in his career. No other WSU signal caller has accomplished that feat more than once.
With two touchdowns on the day, junior wideout Josh Mikes brought his season touchdown total to 13, which puts him in a tie for sixth-most in single-season WSU history with one game to go. Mikes finished the day with 136 yards through the air.
Senior Ryan Gerts led the WSU defense with a 7 solo tackles and 11 total on the day. Fellow senior Kyle English turned in a great performance anchoring the defensive line, recording 10 tackles. Ian Murray finished with eight tackles, while Andrew Spencer and Jarrett Wood added seven. Tyler Kubler also pitched in two tackles-for-loss.
THIS WEEK - vs CU
Winona State (4-6) closes out its season with a final home game next Saturday when it faces Concordia-St. Paul for a noon kickoff at Warrior Stadium.
Past NSIC Players of the Week
9/8/14
Off: Josh Mikes, WSU
Def: Alex Wahl, UIU
SpT: Lucas Wainman, Augie
9/15/14
Off: Jack Nelson, WSU
Def: Joe Parsley, NSU
SpT: Mike Wenk, SMSU
9/22/14
Off: Chris Smith, UIU
Def: Ben Skelly, Augie
SpT: Alden Haffar, MSU
9/29/14
Off: Chris Smith, UIU (2)
Def: Solomon St. Pierre, USF
SpT: Tom Obarski, CU
10/6/14
Off: Jared Jacobson, NSU
Def: Javon Moore, UIU
SpT: Austin Rieder, MSU
10/13/14
Off: Drew Bauer, UMD
Def: Josh Gordon, MSU
SpT: Bradley Hatfield, USF
10/20/14
Off: Trey Heid, Augie
Def: Solomon St. Pierre, USF (2)
SpT: Andrew Brees, UMD
10/27/14
Off: Zach Roberson, U-Mary
Def: Paul Woodward, NSU
SpT: Tom Obarski, CU (2)
11/3/14
Off: Tre Spears, CU
Jared Jacobson, NSU
Def: Josh Gordon, MSU (2)
SpT: Michael Schwichtenberg, MSUM
11/10/14
Off: Nick Pieruccini, MSU
Def: Abe Roehrich, MSUM
SpT: Eric Mielke, SCSU
#NSICFB