For Immediate Release
Monday, October 17, 2016
NSIC Media Relations
Media Packet (PDF)



NSIC Football Players of the Week

NSIC Offensive Player of the Week
#10 Zach Osborn (QB, 6-1, 180, Jr., Harlan, Iowa / Harlan HS)
Wayne State
-  Accounted for 431 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in a 41-39 win at SMSU
-  Completed 23-of-33 passes for a season-high 348 yards and four scores
-  Rushed for season-best 83 yards on 11 carries and one score

NSIC Defensive Player of the Week
#36 Eric Munoz (LB, 6-0, 210, Fr., Belvidere, Ill. / Belvidere HS)
Upper Iowa
- In just his second game, led the way for a UIU defense with 13 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss
- Added a sack and an interception in the 41-21 win at CSP
- Returned the interception 29 yards to the CSP 34 yard line setting up the Peacocks first touchdown in the game
- Was part of UIU defense that held CSP to just 30 yards rushing

NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week
#47 Brett Garner (K, 5-10, 172, So., Springfield, Mo. / Springfield HS)
Sioux Falls
- Connected on field goals of 36 and 22 yards in a 41-30 win at Winona State
- Converted five extra points for 11 total points
- Leads the NSIC in scoring by a kicker with 53 points or 7.6 points per game
- Ranks seventh all-time at USF with 141 points, including 99 PATs
 

Augustana University Vikings

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 42-35 to MSU	4-3, 1-2 South	L1	2nd Overall, 2nd South
Team Notes
- Augustana put up a season-high 576 yards of total offense in a 42-35 loss to Minnesota State at home on Saturday - The Vikings rushed for a season-high 230 yards and passed for 346 - Augustana rallied from an 18-point deficit in the third quarter to tie the game at 28 early in the fourth - After two straight scores by the Mavericks, Augustana cut the lead to seven at 42-35 and forced a fumble on the following kickoff setting the offense up inside MSU’s 20 - The Vikings were stopped on fourth and goal from the one-yard line and the Mavericks held on for the win
Top Performer(s)
- Senior quarterback Trey Heid had one of the best games of his career in the loss to Minnesota State - Heid completed 27 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns - He also ran for a career-high 139 yards on 12 carries, registering his second career game with 100-plus rushing yards - Heid has passed for 200 yards and ran for 100 in the same game twice in his career - Charlie Hayes hauled in a career-high 15 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown on Saturday - The 200-plus yard performance marked the second of his career - Jackie Davis rushed the ball 13 times for 80 yards and his team-leading sixth rushing touchdown - Kirby Hora led the Viking defense with 13 tackles (1.0 for loss) and a pass breakup
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 at Upper Iowa – 3 p.m.

 

Bemidji State University Beavers

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 52-28 vs MiSU	6-1, 3-0 North	W3	5th Overall, 2nd North
Team Notes
- No. 22 Bemidji State sank Minot State to win its seventh consecutive Homecoming game - BSU built a 39-21 halftime lead before holding MiSU to 94 total yards in the second half - The Beavers rushed for 436 yards, their second 400+ yard performance of the season
Top Performer(s)
- Quarterback Jared Henning rushed for 172 yards, three touchdowns and threw for 65 yards - Running back Gena Adams surpassed 120+ yards rushing for the third time this season with 152 - Defensive end Alex Burgess recorded two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 at Minnesota Duluth – 1 p.m.

 

Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 21-41 vs UIU	2-5, 0-3 South	L5	13th overall, 8th south
Team Notes
- Held 32:04 to 27:56 edge in time of possession and had 21 first downs - Two early turnovers and three unproductive drives resulting in 0 points put CSP in 21-0 deficit early in 2nd quarter - CSP’s special teams resulted in touchbacks on all four kickoffs and a 40.4 net punting average
Top Performer(s)
- Junior Ron Johnson set career-highs across the board in passing (27-44, 271, 3 TD) but was intercepted twice and sacked four times - Junior DeCeon Schumann had career-highs 4 catches for 53 yards and his first receiving TD - Freshman Darnell Rolle had a breakout game with 60 combined years (5-17 rush, 3-43 rec) with his first career touchdown (27 yard catch) - Freshman safety Brian Lanier had a career-high 10 tackles in his second career start
Up Next
Saturday, Oct 22 at Sioux Falls – 12 p.m.

University of Mary Marauders

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 26-13 at UMC	1-6, 1-2 North	W1	15th Overall, 7th North
Team Notes
- Outscored Minnesota Crookston 13-0 in 4th quarter to win first game of season - Recorded season-best totals for offensive yardage (400) and fewest yards allowed (280) - Marauders blocked two kicks and are tied for first in the country with eight blocks this season - The Marauders are fourth in the country in fewest penalties/game (3.71) and fifth in penalty yardage/game (31.3). - The Marauders are 8th in NCAA Division II in time of possession (34:41)
Top Performer(s)
- In his second career start, So. QB Colton Farmer passed for 154 yards and two TDs and ran for 44 yards and 1 TD - Zack Graves ran for 96 yards and one TD and returned three kicks for 89 yards - Zach Podoll rushed for 66 yards - Connor Graves caught four passes for 60 yads - Brady Zittleman intercepted a pass to end UMC’s final possession of the game, broke up two passes and had a team-high seven tackles - Brock Pittsley has a sack and four tackles
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. MSU Moorhead in the Battle for the Paddle - 1 p.m.

 

University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L, 26-13 U-Mary	0-7, 0-3 North	L7	16th Overall, 8th North
Team Notes
- Adam Connette broke Mark Olsonawski's 18-year old school record for receptions in a career. He now has 154 receptions in his career. He set the mark in the third quarter against U-Mary.  - Adam Connette broke Carl Aho's 17-year old school record for receiving yards in a career. Connette now has 1,843 career receiving yards. He set the mark in the first quarter against U-Mary. - Will Cross now has the fifth-best mark for tackles in a game with 18 on Saturday against the Marauders - Rod Stewart had a season-long reception for any receiver with his 58-yard touchdown grab against the Marauders - Jake Newman and Aeric Berner each tallied interceptions in the game, marking the first interceptions of the season for the Golden Eagles - Bubba Cook blocked an extra point on Saturday against the Marauders
Top Performer(s)
- Adam Connette had seven grabs for 94 yards - Rod Stewart had four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown - Will Cross had 18 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss - William Cole tallied 10 tackles on the game
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 at Minot State

 

University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 39-19 vs. NSU	6-1, 2-0 North	6W	3rd Overall, 1st North
Team Notes
-UMD will remain at Malosky Stadium to host Bemidji State (which is also 6-1) this Saturday It will mark the end of a five-week stretch in which the Bulldogs were home four times.. -.The Bulldogs and Bemidji State, along with Northern State, shared the 2015 NSIC NSIC North Division title - UMD will come into Saturday’s clash armed with a school-record 20-game home winning streak and are a perfect 29-0 all-time mark against NSIC North Division opponents at Malosky Stadium - The Bulldogs scored all five of their touchdowns on the ground and upended visiting Northern State 39-19 last Saturday for their sixth victory in a row, - The Bulldogs currently rank first in the nation in average time of possession (37:34),  fourth in total offense (532.7 yards per game) and fifth in quarterback sacks (4.0 per game)
Top Performer(s)
- In that 39-12 win over Northern State, senior wide out Beau Boffering became the 12th Bulldog to reach the 100-catch mark for a career. He now has an even 100 receptions as a Bulldog and has caught at least on pass in 32 straight games going back to Week 2 of the 2014 season- - For the sixth time in seven games this fall, senior inside linebacker and team captain Beau Bates paced the Bulldogs in tackles with seven. That gives the 2015 All-NSIC first teamer a team-leading 54 stops on the season – 22 more than the next closest Bulldog.- Senior quarterback Drew Bauer completed 18 of 33 passes for 290 yard against Northern State, but was held without a touchdown toss for the first time since the two clubs met last Halloween. He also led both teams in rushing with 59 yards on 12 carries.
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Bemidji State - 1:05 p.m

Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W, 42-35 at Augie	5-2, 2-1 South	W2	1st Overall, 1st South
Team Notes
- The Mavericks have now won six straight games against Augustana and now own a 24-23 all-time record against the Vikings - MSU’s 42 points against Augustana represent the third time this season it has scored more than 40 points in a game - Senior quarterback Nick Pieruccini threw three touchdown passes vs. Augustana and has now thrown 15 touchdown passes this season - Six Mavericks caught at least one pass vs. Augustana, including junior Ty Dennis who caught two touchdown passes - Seniors Rufus Wolokolie and Mat Andriano led the Maverick defense with 10 tackles each
Top Performer(s)
- Senior Nick Pieruccini - 184 passing yards, 3 touchdown passes - Senior Virgil Hammond – 73 rushing yards, 1 touchdown - Junior Ty Dennis – 4 catches, 45 receiving yards, 2 touchdown catches - Seniors Mat Andriano and Rufus Wolokolie – 10 tackles
Up Next
Thursday, Oct. 20 vs. Southwest Minnesota State – 6 p.m.

 

Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L, 38-41 to SCSU	3-4, 1-2 North	L1	10th Overall, 5th NSIC North
Team Notes
- MSUM fell to 3-4 on the season with 41-38 home loss to St Cloud State - Dragons trailed 27-0 in second quarter and came back to take 38-34 lead in fourth quarter before late TD by SCSU spoiled the comeback - MSUM recorded season-high 629 yards of total offense - The Dragons had two 100-yard receivers and a 100-yard rusher in the same game for the first time this season - The Dragons play at Mary this week in the Battle for the Paddle
Top Performer(s)
-QB Demetrius Carr threw for a season-best 386 yards and three scores against SCSU - WR Damon Gibson had eight catches for 172 yards and a score and recorded sixth 100-yard receiving game of the year --WR Cory Ambrose caught six passes for 144 yards and a score --WR Hunter Braaten had a season-high eight catches for 95 yards and a score --RB Austin Stone rushed for a career-high 145 yards and two touchdowns --CB Jerry Raye led the defense with 10 tackles
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 at Mary - 2 p.m.

 

Minot State University Beavers

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 52-28 @ BSU	1-6, 0-3 North	W5	14th Overall, 6th North
Team Notes
- Minot State couldn’t keep up with No. 22 ranked Bemidji State as BSU pulled away for a 52-28 win - Moved the ball into the red zone a season-high five times, scoring three times - Had its first 100 yard rusher of the season
Top Performer(s)
- Ben Zahniser, a true freshman, rushed for 111 yards and two scores on 17 carries, the first 100-yard rusher for MSU in 12 games - True freshman Titus Dixon led the defense with a career high 11 tackles - Donnell Vercher continued a solid junior season with 10 tackles and an interception - Aaron La Deaux drilled a 72-yard punt on his way to a 58.5 average with three kicks over 50 yards and one inside the 20
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Minnesota Crookston – 1 p.m.

 

Northern State University Wolves

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 39-19, UMD	3-4, 1-2 North	L2	6th Overall, 3rd North
Team Notes
- The Wolves dropped their second straight North Division contest on Saturday at Minnesota Duluth, 39-19 - The Wolves tallied 270 yards of total offense and 13 first downs, to the Bulldogs 510 yards and 28 first downs in the game - Northern also suffered seven penalties in the loss, and converted on 4-of-12 third down opportunities - As a team, NSU combined for two touchdowns (McAlvain, Doherty), a field goal (Shaw), and a returned two point conversion (C. Barber) by the Bulldogs
Top Performer(s)
- Christian McAlvain tallied 217 yards of total offense including 198 yards passing and 19 yards rushing. The senior quarterback notched the team's two touchdowns - Nicholas Truen led the NSU rushers with 44 yards on 14 attempts, while Zech Culbreath was the leading receiver nothing 81 total yards on four receptions - Alex Gray led the NSU defense with a career high 11 tackles, including seven solo and four assisted - Channing Barber and Blake Lohr tallied the team's two interceptions in the game, while Tyson Zemlicka, Tanner Lopez, and Noah Macpherson notched the team's two sacks
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. St. Cloud State – 1 p.m.

University of Sioux Falls Cougars

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 41-30 vs WSU	7-0, 3-0 South	W7	3rd Overall, 2nd South
Team Notes
-  USF leads the NSIC with a 7-0 record and the NSIC South at 3-0 after a 41-30 victory over Winona State on Oct. 15. USF is 7-0 for the third straight year and have extended their consecutive year winning streak to 23, which is the fifth longest across any division. - USF leads NCAA DII in total offense at 560.1 yards per contest while sitting second in rushing at 354.6 yards per game. -  The Cougars rank in the top 20 in NCAA DII in 26 statistical categories, including 16 in the top 10. -  Max Mickey reached 90 yards rushing or more for the sixth time in seven games as he went over 1,000 yards on the season. With 100 carries for 1,033 yards, Mickey is fourth nationally. He leads the nation in yards per carry 10.33 and is fourth in rushing yards per game. - The Cougars, which rank 13th nationally in scoring, have accumulated more rushing yards this season in seven games (2,482) than they had all of last year (2,291). - With a 41-30 win over Winona State, head football coach Jed Stugart won his 60th career game at USF
Top Performer(s)
- Max Mickey had 136 all purpose yards, including 14 carries for 91 yards and two TDs in the 41-30 win on the road over Winona State. He also collected three catches for 45 yards. ~   - Justin Fulks had 10 carries for 86 yards and a TDs in the win over Winona State. - Kyle Campiotti had nine tackles, TFL and sack in the 41-30 win over Winona State. Teammate Westly Johnson had two sacks and Josh Butler an interception and seven tackles in the win. - Senior quarterback Luke Papilion has become USF’s only 8,000 yard passer and 3,000 yard rusher in school history and one of a few in NSIC history
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Concordia-St. Paul - 12 p.m.

 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 41-39 vs. WSC	4-3, 1-2 South	L2	8th Overall, 4th South
Team Notes
- SMSU suffered its second straight loss. First time SMSU has lost back-to-back games since Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 2014 - SMSU’s two-point conversion attempt with 1:12 left in regulation failed in attempt to tie game - SMSU, which entered the WSC game ranked third in Division II in third-down conversion percentage, was just 4 of 13 on third-down in Saturday’s loss - SMSU was 4 for 4 in the red-zone and is now 28 of 30 on the season with 27 touchdowns - SMSU was penalized a season-high 12 times for a season-high 101 yards. SMSU had five or less penalties in four of first six games this season - SMSU has forced a least one turnover in each game this season and has forced three or more in four of seven games
Top Performer(s)
-Freshman running back Max Simmons rushed for a game-high 101 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Simmons has scored 11 touchdowns in last five games. -Senior cornerback Dallin Finley finished the WSC game with a career-high 10 tackles.
Up Next
Thursday, Oct. 20 at Minnesota State – 6 p.m.

 

St. Cloud State University Huskies

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 41-38 vs. MSUM	4-3, 3-0 North	W3	9th Overall, 4th North
Team Notes
- SCSU defeated MSU Moorhead by a 41-38 score to improve to 4-3 and 3-0 in the NSIC North on the season. - The Huskies are above .500 for the first time this season and 3-0 in the NSIC North for the first since 2012 - The program raced out to 27-0 advantage and then had to rally with a touchdown in the final minute for the road victory. - SCSU picked up a season-high 27 first downs in the victory and accumulated a season-high 464 total yards. - The program also allowed a season-high 629 yards as well. - SCSU has now won 10 straight against MSU Moorhead and haven’t lost to the Dragons since 1983.
Top Performer(s)
- Nate Meyer threw for 378 yards on 22 completions plus three touchdowns. - Meyer also ran for 29 yards and a touchdown - The 378 yards thrown for are the fifth-most in school history and the second most of his career - Meyer became just the third quarterback in school history to surpass 2,000 yards passing on the season in three straight years - He has now thrown at least a touchdown pass in his last 14 games - John Pass caught eight passes for a career-high 172 yards and a touchdowns - The program is 5-1 in games in which Pass catches a touchdown pass - The 172 yards passing are the 14th most in a single game in school history - Jameson Parsons caught six passes for 88 yards a touchdown - Parsons has hauled in a touchdown pass in each of the last six games this season - Jaden Huff ran for his fifth touchdown of the season to put the Huskies ahead with 44 seconds remaining in the game. - Huff has 18 touchdown runs the last two years - Carvel Graham had a 60-yard interception return - The interception return was the eighth longest in school history - Gary Koehring led the defense with 12 tackles
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 at Northern State at 1 p.m.

Upper Iowa University Peacocks

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 41-21 at CSP	2-5, 1-2 South	W1	11th Overall, 6th South
Team Notes
- The story of the game can be told on the ground. Upper Iowa outrushed Concordia-St. Paul 227-30, including all four offensive touchdowns -    The Golden Bears were effective through the air, as Johnson completed 27-44 passes for 271 yards and 3 scores, but the two interceptions were the difference -    The Peacocks held CSP to 30 yards rushing on 33 attempts, while tallying five sacks and 13 tackles for loss, as well as two turnovers
Top Performer(s)
- Freshman Eric Munoz led the way with 13 tackles (1.5 TFL), a sack and an interception, while linebacker Adam Lytle responded with 10 tackles (2.0 TFL) in his first game back since suffering an injury -    Mitchel Siech (9), Nate Roemer(2.5 TFL), and Jojo Simpson (2.0 TFL) all were stellar as well -    Brent Lammers finished 16-27 for 190 yards and the pick, but the signal-caller ran for 100 yards on 15 carries and two scores -    Ryan Parmely toted the ball 16 times for 56 yards and a pair of TDs, while Portis fiished with 54 yards on 17 carries -    Trey MacTaggart led the receivers with 68 yards on 3 catches. Amis finished with 63 yards receiving as well
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Augustana Vikings on Salute to Service Day at 3 p.m.

 

Wayne State College Wildcats

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 41-39 at SMSU	3-4, 2-1 South	W1	12th Overall, 7th South
Team Notes
- Won for the seventh time in last eight trips to Marshall - Gained 485 yards of total offense for second straight game
Top Performer(s)
- Junior quarterback Zach Osborn accounted for 431 yards of total offense and five TD’s - Sophomore wide receiver Shymere Williams hauled in seven catches for 163 yards, both career highs, with two TD’s - Junior linebacker Emeka Etta registered career-high 12 tackles
Up Next
Saturday, October 22 vs. Winona State - 1 p.m.

 

Winona State University Warriors

Last Week	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L, 41-30 vs. USF	5-2, 2-1 South	L1	8th Overall, 5th South
Team Notes
- The Warriors had their four game win streak snapped. - Out scored in the first and third quarter for the first time this season.
Top Performer(s)
- Carter McCauley went 3-3 on field goals last week. - Jack Nelson has his 19th 300-yard game and threw a touchdown pass for the 39th straight game. - Cameron Johnson had a touchdown catch for the 8th straight game. - Johnson caught his 150th pass of his career. - Sixth 100-yard receiving game of the year for Johnson - Andrew Spencer had eight tackles and an interception.
Up Next
Saturday, Oct. 22 at Wayne State – 1 p.m.