For Immediate Release
Monday, July 31, 2017
NSIC Media Relations
PDF Release
Minnesota State University, Mankato Tabbed NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Favorite
University of Minnesota Duluth Picked in the North
BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Minnesota State University, Mankato was selected by the league coaches as the overall and south division preseason favorite in the NSIC for 2017. The Mavericks received four first place votes and amassed 213 points, four points ahead of Minnesota Duluth (209), which garnered seven first place votes and was the coaches’ top choice in the north division. The defending Mineral Water Bowl Champions from Bemidji State were third with 184 points and two first place votes. Augustana was fourth with 172 points and a first place vote, while defending NSIC Champions, Sioux Falls was picked fifth overall (171) and received two first place votes.
| Overall |
Points |
|
North Division |
Points |
| 1. Minnesota State (4) |
213 |
|
1. Minnesota Duluth (6) |
48 |
| 2. Minnesota Duluth (7) |
209 |
|
2. Bemidji State (2) |
41 |
| 3. Bemidji State (2) |
184 |
|
3. MSU Moorhead |
34 |
| 4. Augustana (1) |
172 |
|
4. Northern State |
33 |
| 5. Sioux Falls (2) |
171 |
|
5. St. Cloud State |
28 |
| 6. Winona State |
165 |
|
6. Minot State |
20 |
| 7. MSU Moorhead |
137 |
|
7. UMary |
12 |
| 8. Southwest Minnesota State |
129 |
|
8. Minnesota Crookston |
8 |
| 9. Northern State |
121 |
|
South Division |
Points |
| 10. St. Cloud State |
101 |
|
1. Minnesota State (6) |
48 |
| 11. Upper Iowa |
86 |
|
2. Augustana (1) |
38 |
| 12. Wayne State |
81 |
|
3. Sioux Falls (1) |
35 |
| 13. Concordia-St. Paul |
54 |
|
4. Winona State |
34 |
| 14. Minot State |
51 |
|
5. Southwest Minnesota State |
30 |
| 15. UMary |
29 |
|
6. Wayne State |
17 |
| 16. Minnesota Crookston |
17 |
|
7. Upper Iowa |
14 |
| first place votes in ( ) |
|
|
8. Concordia-St. Paul |
8 |
The NSIC football schedule will be broken into two divisions (north/south). Each team will play 11 conference games that will count towards the NSIC Overall Championship as well as seven divisional games that will count towards the NSIC North/South Division Championships. In all, three league champions will be awarded (Overall Champion, North Division Champion, South Division Champion). Ties will not be broken for overall or division champions. The schedule will also feature the "
NSIC Thursday Night Game of the Week" that will air live on Midco Sports Network.
NSIC North Division Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year
#7 Jordan Hein (QB, 6-2, 220, Sr., Perham, Minn. / Perham HS) - Bemidji State
- Two-time All-NSIC selection, second team 2016, first team 2015
- Named to the 2016 Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-Super Region Three team
- Named 2016 Mineral Water Bowl Offensive MVP
- Holds BSU career records in total passing (6,116), total touchdowns (77) and passing touchdowns (59)
- Set the BSU single-season passing efficiency record (167.4)
- Tied the BSU record of 27 touchdown passes in one season
- Nominated for the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy
- Helped BSU to its first post-season win in program history (36-23 win over Washburn in MWB)
- Played in 10 games last season totaling 443 rushing yards including 8 rushing touchdowns
- Passed for 3,007 total yards completing 171 of 300 passes
NSIC North Division Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year
#9 Damon Gibson (WR, 6-4, 230, Sr., Beardsley, Minn. / Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley HS) - MSU Moorhead
- Named All-NSIC first team, AFCA All-American second team and All-Super Region 3 first team
- Led the Dragons with 90 catches for 1,459 yards, an average of 140.8 yards per game in 2016
- Scored 17 touchdowns
- Ranked first in the nation in both receiving yards and yards per game
- Set MSUM records for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns
- Tied the MSUM single-season record for receptions (90)
- Tied the MSUM single-game record with 237 receiving yards in win over Northern State
- Nominated for the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy
NSIC South Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
#22 Max Mickey (RB, 5-9, 185, Sr., Holden, Mo. / Holden HS) - Sioux Falls
- Nominated for the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy
- Named first team All-NSIC and first team D2CCA All-American
- Named second team All-American by AFCA and D2Football.com
- Has 13 100-yard rushing games in his career (fourth most in USF school history)
- Set school records in yards per carry, average yards per game and total yards in a season in 2016
- Has 429 career carries for 2,783 yards, which ranks eighth all-time at USF
- Recorded 3,161 career all purpose yards, including 1,900 in 2016
- Has 32 rushing touchdowns and has five carries of at least 70 yards, including career-best 76
NSIC North Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
#1 Gunner Olszewski (CB, 5-10, 170, Jr, Alvin, Texas / Alvin HS) - Bemidji State
- Named All NSIC first team and D2CCA All-Super Region Three Second Team
- Played in 11 games totaling 95 tackles (55 solo and 40 assisted)
- Totaled three interceptions on the season and 10 broken up passes
- Set a career high in tackles with 17 vs Upper Iowa
- Totaled 274 all-purpose yards and 277 punt return yards
- Helped BSU to its first post-season win in program history (36-23 win over Washburn in MWB)
- Named NSIC Defensive Player of the Week and NSIC Special Team Player of the Week
NSIC South Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
#92 Evan Perrizo (DE, 6-5, 275, Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn. / Eden Prairie HS) - Minnesota State
- Earned All-NSIC first team honors in 2016
- Stated in all 11 games and led the Mavericks in tackles for a loss with 13.5
- Tied for the team lead in sacks with 8.5 while finishing fifth on the team in tackles with 44
- Recorded a season-high eight tackles against Sioux Falls
- Notched four tackles for a loss against Winona State
- Named to the Don Hansen Super Region Three Third Team
| Augustana University Vikings |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 8-3, 5-2 South |
7 Off / 10 Def |
27 Off / 32 Def |
t-3rd Overall, t-2nd South |
| Team Preview |
| Augustana is coming off of an 8-3 (5-2 NSIC South) finish in 2016, which marked the first time the Vikings have won eight or more games in back-to-back seasons since 2008-10. Augustana will have to replace a lot of fire power on offense with the graduation of All-Americans Trey Heid and Matt Heller. Veteran offensive guard Sam Lee (OL, 6-5, 300) enters his senior season having played in 28 career games on the line, missing two seasons due to injury in 2014 and 2015. Lee anchors a line which returns two starters from last year, including sophomore center Jake Lacina (OL, 6-4, 275). Junior running back Caden Quintanilla (RB, 5-8, 175) returns as the top producer out of the backfield from 2016 after rushing for 341 yards and two scores. Nate Merriman (WR, 6-2, 200) enters his senior season and is coming off junior campaign where he caught 23 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, junior linebacker Kirby Hora (LB, 6-2, 210) is one of 10 returning starters. Hora earned All-NSIC First Team honors last season after leading the NSIC with 110 tackles, which ranked 30th in the country. The Viking defense returns three starting defensive linemen (Joey Newman, Jake Wargo and Joe Schiller, three linebackers (Hora, John Waters and Matt Wagner) and four in the defensive backfield (Jordan Johnson, Trevor Naasz, Jordan Determan and Keyvion Mayhan). |
| Players to Watch |
#30 Kirby Hora (LB, 6-2, 210, Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D. / Roosevelt HS)
#73 Sam Lee (OL, 6-5, 300, Sr., Blue Earth, Minn. / Blue Earth Area HS) |
| First game |
| Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. MSU Moorhead – 1 p.m. |
| Bemidji State University Beavers |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 9-3, 8-3, 5-2 South |
6 Off / 8 Def |
23 Off / 23 Def |
3nd Overall, 2nd North |
| Team Preview |
The Bemidji State football program enters the 2017 season with high expectations after coming off its first ever post-season victory in 2016. Senior quarterback Jordan Hein and junior corner back Gunner Olszewski headline the Beavers’ returning leaders after being named BSU’s Players to Watch. Hein, a 2016 Harlon Hill nominee, enters his senior season as a two-time All-NSIC team member and the program’s all-time leader in seven single-season and career offensive records. Olszewski, the 2015 NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year, returns to the “Gang Green” defense as the program’s active leader in interceptions with nine.
The BSU offense returns six starters who each contributed to the conference’s highest scoring unit at 45.6 points per game. Senior wide receiver Blake Holder will be one of Hein’s top targets after leading the NSIC with 24.5 points per reception. The backfield duo of seniors Tahi Nomane and Mike Washington provide a 1-2 punch as Nomane ranked tied for sixth in the NSIC with 11 rushing touchdowns. All-NSIC members Brandon Schindler and Jake Krause both return to anchor the offensive line.
The “Gang Green” defense looks to continue its success after allowing 24.4 points in 2016, good for fourth in the NSIC. The Beavers secondary led the conference with 22 interceptions. Seniors Jamison Evans and Trysten Ross hold down the linebacking corps after both being named 2016 All-NSIC First Team. BSU’s top two sack leaders and All-NSIC members, seniors Alex Burgess and Jake Wirsching, also return in 2017. |
| Players to Watch |
#7 Jordan Hein (QB, 6-2, 220, Sr., Perham / Perham HS)
#1 Gunner Olszewski (CB, 5-10, 170, Jr., Alvin, Texas / Alvin HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, Aug. 31 at Winona State – 6 p.m. |
| Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 2-9, 0-7 South |
10 Off / 7 Def |
21 Off / 21 Def |
14th Overall, 7th South |
| Team Preview |
The Concordia Golden Bears enter their second year under head coach Shannon Currier in his second stint leading the program. Currier and his staff have been aggressively tailoring the roster as over 70 percent of the players on the team were brought in under the current regime. In 2016, his first year back after an 11 season hiatus from the program, Currier started seven newcomers of the 22 offensive and defensive starters including 12 underclassmen, proving that the coaching staff would play its best players, regardless of position and experience, from day one.
The team’s top offensive returner made big plays as a true freshman as 6-foot, 5-inch wide receiver Marcus Gustaveson led the team with 41 catches for 564 yards and five touchdowns before becoming an All-NSIC thrower in the shot put in the spring.
Gustaveson had two 100-yard games including a 7-catch, 115-yard, 2-TD outburst in his third career game against Minnesota Duluth as the Bears nearly upset the nationally-ranked Bulldogs, coming within a last minute drive from being off to a 3-0 start to the season.
Defensively, the top returning tackler is junior safety Brandon Russell (48 TT, 5.0 TFL) in the secondary while the front line will be anchored by senior Chazz Roberts (26 TT, 6.0 TFL) and a linebacker to watch is senior Frantz Polimice who was a key reserve in his first year as a transfer last year.
The special teams unit returns a pair of All-NSIC performers in first team kicker Jonas Schenderlein who made 7-11 field goals with a long of 52 and second team punter Sam Maedke who averaged 40.0 yards, forced 16 fair catches and had 13 inside the 20. |
| Players to Watch |
#10 Marcus Gustaveson (WR, 6-5, 220, So., Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton North HS)
#96 Chazz Roberts (DL, 5-11, 270, Jr., Mission Viejo, Calif. / Tesoro HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, Aug 31, vs. Minot State – 7 p.m. (MidcoSN) |
| University of Mary Marauders |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 1-10, 1-6 North |
7 Off / 5 Def |
16 Off / 14 Def |
15th Overall, 6th North |
| Team Preview |
| The youngest team in the Northern Sun last season, the University of Mary started as many as five freshmen and 11 underclassmen in games with 26 underclassmen on the two-deep depth chart. While still a young squad in 2017 with just four seniors on the roster, the Marauders picked up valuable experience throughout the roster, particularly on offense, where UMary returns seven starters. Soph. Colton Farmer – one of four players to start last season at quarterback due to injuries, is the Marauders most experienced returner. He completed a team-high 55 percent of his passes, threw for three touchdowns and ran for two, and led UMary to its lone victory. Four starting offensive linemen return, including junior Nick Benshetler, entering his third year in the lineup after starting as a true freshman. All-NSIC DB Jacob Parker leads the defense. Also an all-academic selection, the senior posted 48 tackles, made two interceptions and knocked down eight passes last season. Senior DL Brock Pittsley keys the defensive line and So. Chris Kraft (62 tackles) leads the linebacker corps. |
| Players to Watch |
#5 Colton Farmer (QB, 6-3, 225, Jr., The Woodlands, Texas / College Park HS)
#1 Jacob Parker (DB, 6-1, 190, Sr., Las Vegas, Nev. / Arbor View HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, Aug. 31 vs. Minnesota State – 6 p.m. |
| University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 0-11, 0-7 North |
7 Off / 6 Def |
15 Off / 9 Def |
16th Overall, 8th North |
| Team Preview |
The University of Minnesota Crookston enters their first season under Head Coach Mark Dufner, a long-time assistant coach for the Golden Eagles, in 2017. Dufner will look to put the U of M Crookston on a positive trajectory after going 0-11 last season. The Golden Eagles will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball with returning staff member Levi Bullerman taking over as defensive coordinator and returning staff member Dave Volk sharing the offensive coordinator duties with new addition Michael Orts.
On the offensive side of the ball, the U of M Crookston will look to the program’s all-time leading receiver Adam Connette. Connette will look to put a stamp on an already great career as he heads into his senior season. Last season, he had 72 catches for 760 yards with five touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Golden Eagles look to redshirt junior linebacker Ali Alkhatib. The Rosemount-native was second on the team with 77 tackles last season. He led the team with 11 tackles for loss and added one sack on the year. |
| Players to Watch |
#11 Adam Connette (WR, 5-10, 194, Sr., Corona, Calif. / Orange Lutheran HS)
#7 Ali Alkhatib (LB, 5-9 198, R-Jr., Rosemount, Minn./ Rosemount HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, Aug. 31 vs. Upper Iowa – 4 p.m. |
| University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 10-2, 10-1, 7-0 North |
5 Off / 7 Def/1 ST |
28 Off / 29 Def/ 1 ST |
2nd Overall, 1st North |
| Team Preview |
| The nine-time defending NSIC North Division champion Bulldogs relied on their high-octane offense to amass a 10-2 overall record and secure a NCAA II playoff berth for the eighth time in the past nine seasons. But six starters from that unit (which averaged 536.7 yards per game – the second highest output in the country) are gone, including a pair of four-year fixtures in quarterback Drew Bauer and All-American offensive tackle Peter Bateman as well as reigning rushing leader Darren Walker and multi-threat Beau Bofferding. Bauer’s two favorite targets from a year ago – senior team captain Nate Ricci (61 catches for 1,047 yards) and junior Jason Balts (51 receptions and eight touchdowns) do return as does senior offensive guard Nolan Folkert, who joined Ricci on the 2016 All-NSIC first team, junior offensive tackle Matt Juneau (2017 All-NSIC second team) and senior tight end Keynon Phillips. On defense, UMD retains the services of the majority of its 2016 starting cast (seven holdovers in all) and headlining that list is senior outside linebacker Zach Bassuener, who enjoyed a breakout season last fall by ranking third on the team in total tackles (47) and second in quarterback sacks (11.5) en route to collaring All-NSIC first team honors. Senior safeties Sam Lynch (50 total tackles and a team-high three interceptions) and Kegan Wirz, senior defensive ends Karl Finkel (another 2017 All-NSIC first teamer) and Regis Henke, junior nose tackle Dre Greer (2017 All-NSIC first team) and junior cornerback Mitchell Johnson-Martin are some of the other battle-tested, ball-stopping veterans UMD will have at its disposal in this, its 85th season of intercollegiate football. |
| Players to Watch |
#5 Nate Ricci (WR/RS, 6-0, 185, Sr., Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater HS)
#32 Zach Bassuener (LB, 225, Sr., Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. / Wisconsin Rapids HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, August 31 vs. Sioux Falls – 6:05 p.m. |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 8-3, 5-2 South |
6 Off / 6 Def |
18 Off / 17 Def |
t-3rd Overall, t-2nd South |
| Team Preview |
Minnesota State returns six starters from both the offense and the defense for 2017. Senior wide receiver Ty Dennis after leading the Mavericks with 39 catches for 630 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior tight end Erik Fuller also returns for the Mavericks after catching a team-leading 10 touchdown passes in 2016. Sophomore Shane Zylstra also caught seven touchdown passes and finished second on the team in receiving yards with 499.
In 2016 the Maverick offense recorded 366 points, which were the eighth most in a season in program history. Maverick receivers also caught 34 touchdown passes, which were the second most in a season in school history.
Senior defensive end Evan Perrizo returns after leading the Mavericks in tackles for loss last season with 13.5. Perrizo also tied for the team lead in sacks with 8.5. Also returning for the Mavericks on defense is junior defensive tackle Zach Dodge who posted 12.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks, as he went on to receive Don Hansen All-American honors. Safety Corey Brent returns for his senior season after starting in all but one of MSU’s games during the previous three seasons. Brent recorded 54 tackles and one interception last season.
As a unit, the Maverick defense ranked third in the NSIC in points allowed with 23.1 points per game. MSU also ranked fifth in the NSIC in rushing defense allowing 140.7 rushing yards a game and fourth in sacks with 37. In comparison, the MSU offense gave up 18 sacks. |
| Players to Watch |
#11 Ty Dennis (WR, 6-4, 215, Sr., Burlington, Wis. / Burlington)
#92 Evan Perrizo (DE, 6-5, 275, Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn. / Eden Prairie) |
| First game |
| Thursday, Aug. 31 at University of Mary – 6 p.m. |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 7-4, 5-2 North |
9 Off / 7 Def |
21 Off / 24 Def |
t-7th Overall, 3rd North |
| Team Preview |
| MSUM returns 16 starters from last year’s squad that went 7-4, which was the most wins for a Dragon team since 1999. The offense is led by senior WR Damon Gibson, who caught 90 passes for 1,549 yards and 17 touchdowns and was a AFCA 2nd Team All-American and first-team All-NSIC. Senior QB Demetrius Carr threw for 2,710 yards and 31 touchdowns last year while RB Austin Stone rushed for 898 yards and 9 TD. On defense, senior DL Jake Busse returns after earning All-NSIC North First Team honors. He had 46 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season. Also back on defense are the top two tacklers – senior LB Abe Roehrich (83) and junior DB Michael Strand (81). |
| Players to Watch |
#9 Damon Gibson (WR, 6-4, 230, Sr., Beardsley, Minn./Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley HS)
#93 Jake Busse (DL, 6-2, 275, Sr., Waseca, Minn./Waseca HS) |
| First game |
| Saturday, Sept. 2 at Augustana - 1 p.m. |
| Minot State University Beavers |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 3-8, 2-5 North |
8 Off / 7 Def |
15 Off / 19 Def |
t-11th Overall, 6th North |
| Team Preview |
| Minot State embarks on a new era as head coach Mike Aldrich enters his first season with the Beavers this season. Aldrich is familiar with the NSIC after being named the 2016 AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year while at Southwest Minnesota State last season. The Beavers finished 3-8 in 2016, finishing tied for 11th overall and 6th in the North. Minot State needs to replace quarterback Isaiah Weed (transfer) from last season, who threw for 1,466 yards and six touchdowns. The offense will look to receivers Lavante Bushnell, Ryan Fila and Ray Watkins for stability in the passing game as the trio finished second, third and fifth in catches in 2016. Bushnell leads the returners with 32 catches for 363 yards. On defense, the Beavers return three of its top four tackling leaders from last season, led by defensive back Donnell Vercher who finished with 95 tackles in 2016. Vercher also led the team with three interceptions. Bryce Broome finished third on the team in tackles with 78 and Titus Dixon was fourth at 62. Minot State will look to continue to limit the opponents in the passing game, as the Beavers finished first in the NSIC last season, allowing just 168.4 passing yards per game. |
| Players to Watch |
#14 Lavante Bushnell (WR, 5’8, 160, So., Stockton, Calif. / AA Stagg HS)
#15 Donnell Vercher (S, 6’2, 190, Sr., Fresno, Calif. / Fresno City College / Clovis HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, Aug. 31 at Concordia-St. Paul – 7 p.m. (MIdcoSN) |
| Northern State University Wolves |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 6-5, 4-3 North |
5 Off / 2 Def |
23 Off / 28 Def |
8th Overall, 4th North |
| Team Preview |
| The Northern State University football team enters the 2017 season after a 6-5 record in 2016 and an undefeated season from Swisher Field for the first time in 30 years. The Wolves return six of 13 All-Conference performers from a season ago, including first teamer Nathan Shaw. Northern averaged 35.5 points, 210.9 yards rushing, and 207.0 yards passing per game last season. Defensively they held their opponents under a 40 percent conversion rate on third downs and recorded 26 sacks for a total loss of 156 yards. The Wolves tally just seven starters returning in Austin Nath, Mitch Brockhaus, Nicholas Truen, Zech Culbreath, Zachery Barber, Cody Braeger, and Etienne Ezeff. In February, the Wolves signed their largest class in the Dosch era with 44 student-athletes. NSU graduated 24 seniors from a season ago, however one will return in wide receiver Zachery Barber as he works towards his master’s degree. All-Conference honorees Nicholas Truen and Cody Braeger were named as the 2017 Northern State players to watch. In 2016, Truen recorded 986 yards rushing with nine touchdowns. He ranked in the top-50 in the nation in rushing yards per game with 89.6. Braeger recorded 25 tackles in 2016 including one sack and one interception. Last season he ranked 11th in the nation in punt return touchdowns. The Wolves will open the season with the third annual Ag Bowl against Wayne State on August 31. They will also be feature in four MidcoSN Games of the Week throughout the season, including two home games on Oct. 21 and Nov. 2. |
| Players to Watch |
#33 Nicholas Truen (RB, 5-11, 210, Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn. / White Bear Lake HS)
#50 Cody Braeger (LB, 5-10, 200, Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn. / White Bear Lake HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, Aug. 31 vs. Wayne State – 6 p.m. |
| University of Sioux Falls Cougars |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 12-1, 11-0, 7-0 South |
4 Off / 5 Def |
13 Off / 20 Def/1 ST |
1st Overall, 1st South |
| Team Preview |
| Defending NSIC champion Sioux Falls (12-1), which was ranked eighth in the final AFCA and D2Football.com Polls and earned two top 20 preseason rankings this summer, returns 10 starters, including six All-NSIC honorees, among 34 letter winners. First-year head coach Jon Anderson will build his offense around seven-time All-American RB Max Mickey, who was selected the NSIC South Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Mickey, who was a candidate for the 2016 Harlon Hill Award, rushed for a school record 1,764 yards (2nd in NCAA DII), which led the NSIC with his yards per carry of 8.6 leading NCAA DII. USF, which ranks fifth across all NCAA divisions and best in DII with 23 consecutive winning seasons, won its first NSIC title in 2016 with unbeaten league record of 11-0. The Cougars, which owns the best winning all-time winning percentage (.818) in the NSIC, earned a third straight postseason trip with a berth in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the “Sweet 16.” NSIC Defensive Player to Watch Josh Butler leads a defense which ranked second in the league in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense. Led by Butler, five starters return, including four All-NSIC performers. Butler, a two-time All-NSIC performer, has 195 career tackles with four forced fumbles and two interceptions. All-league safety Jeff Harman, all-league linebacker Kyle Campiotti, honorable mention defensive tackle Brian Mayberry and two-year starter Zack Tamburo return. Mickey leads an offense that ranked third nationally in rushing yards at 308.1 per game and seventh in total offense at 511.3 per game. He is joined by All-NSIC tackles Jesse Springer and Trey Pipkins and all-league tight end Nicholas Stanke. |
| Players to Watch |
#22 Max Mickey (RB, 5-9, 190, Sr., Holden, Mo / Holden HS)
#5 Josh Butler (Safety, 6-0, 181, Sr., Aurora, Colo / Gateway HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, August 31 at Minnesota Duluth - 6:05 p.m. |
| Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 5-6, 2-5 South |
8 Off / 5 Def |
29 Off / 18 Def |
t-9th Overall, t-5th South |
| Team Preview |
SMSU’s top returning offense starters include senior and two-year starting quarterback Blake Gimbel, who has earned All-NSIC South honorable mention accolades in each of the last two seasons. He completed a school record 69.2 percent of his passes last season for 3,030 yards and 24 touchdowns. He finished fourth in the NSIC passing and ninth in total offense, while ranking third in Division II in completion percentage, fourth in completions per game, 21st in passing yards and 32nd in passing touchdowns. Gimbel begins his senior season ranking first in school history in completing percentage (67.0), fourth in completions (596), fifth in passing yards (6,415) and sixth in passing touchdowns (51).
Sophomore running back Max Simmons is the team’s top returning rusher after amassing 913 yards and 18 touchdowns on 178 carries to earn NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors in 2016.
SMSU returns two of its top three receivers from last season, including senior wide receiver Nate Huot, who earned All-NSIC South honorable mention accolades for the third time in his career in 2016. Huot led the Mustangs in receptions (69) and yards (876) for the second straight season and finished second with six touchdowns. Sophomore Gabe Galamue is back after tying for second on the team with 39 receptions in 2016, while racking up 449 yards and three touchdowns.
Junior linebacker Alex Ney is the squad’s leading returning tackler, making 45 stops last season with 4.5 for loss, after starting the last five games of the season. |
| Players to Watch |
#14 Blake Gimbel (QB, 6-4, 211, Sr., Marshalltown, Iowa / Marshalltown HS)
#56 Alex Ney (LB, 6-2, 228, Jr., Rochester, Minn. / Century HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, Aug. 31 vs. St. Cloud State – 7 p.m. |
| St. Cloud State University Huskies |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 5-6, 4-3 North |
7 Off / 9 Def |
14 / 21 |
t-9th Overall, t-4th North |
| Team Preview |
| There will be a lot of new faces on the St. Cloud State football roster this season. On offense, the 2017 Huskies will be breaking in new skill position starters at quarterback, running back and wide receiver so the team will lean heavily on an offensive line that brings all five starters plus both primary tight ends back. The offensive line group of Bryce Johnson, Frank Garcia, Karl Rude, Parker Mathewson, Grant Lewis along with tight ends Sam Hartman and Anthony Carver combined to start 68 games last season and will need to lead the way in 2017. The program does return John Pass, who caught 37 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns last season as the program’s second leading receiver and looks to fill the shoes of departed All-American wide receiver Jameson Parsons. The team will rely heavily on its experienced defense this season with nine starters returning. The strength of the team’s 3-4 defense will be the three returning starters at the linebacker position in Brady Westart, Gary Koehring and Craig Szymanski. All three have captured All-NSIC honors during their careers. Koehring was a Second Team All-NSIC selection in 2016, while Westart is a 2017 NSIC Player to Watch. The team’s defensive back field is also experienced with 71 career starts among Jerry Duckworth, Carvel Graham, Jeremy Koffi and Jamari Manuel. Graham was a First Team All-NSIC selection last season after picking off four passes with 50 tackles. Duckworth was a Second Team All-NSIC choice a season ago with 49 tackles and five pass breakups from his safety position. |
| Players to Watch |
#71 Bryce Johnson (OL, 6-5, 313, Sr., Beaver Dam, Wis. / Beaver Dam HS)
#17 Brady Westart (LB, 5-11, 213, Sr., Brimfield, Ill. / Brimfield HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, August 31 at Southwest Minnesota State – 7 p.m. |
| Upper Iowa University Peacocks |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 3-8, 2-5 South |
4 Off / 6 Def |
14 Off / 16 Def |
t-11th Overall, t-5th South |
| Team Preview |
| The Peacock football team heads into their ninth season under Head Coach Tom Shea in 2017. Upper Iowa’s Jojo Simpson (DE) and Jarred Edmonds (WR) are NSIC Players to Watch this season. Simpson was an All-NSIC 2nd Team performer in 2016 as a sophomore recording 32 tackles including 21 solo stops. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa product made 11.5 tackles for loss (8th NSIC) including 5.5 sacks (12th NSIC). Simpson also intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown at Concordia University, St. Paul. Edmonds returns to lead the offense on the outside after starting all 11 games last season and pulling in 55 receptions for 592 yards and a team-high 7 touchdowns. Edmonds started 2016 with a bang catching 19 passes for 291 yards and 3 scores in the first two games of the season. In addition to Simpson and Edmonds, Upper Iowa will return two more All-NSIC performers this season including Jordan Rommes (SS/Honorable Mention) and Zach Ries (DT/HM) along with Tate Thompson, Tanner Thompson, Mitchel Siech, Nicolas Corley, Jordan Wymer, Nate Roemer and a host of experienced players to lead the defense. On offense, UIU will rely on juniors Brent Lammers (QB) and Ryan Parmely (RB) to offset the receiving corps led by Edmonds. Special teams for the Peacocks will remain consistent with Nate Skare, a 2015 All-NSIC performer, handling the punting and Brady Beuschel back to kick. Skare averaged 38.3 yards per punt and stuck 12 inside the 20-yard line, while Beuschel has converted 16 field goals in his first two seasons and knocked in 73 of his 77 point after attempts. |
| Players to Watch |
#5 Jarred Edmonds (WR, 6-3, 205, R-Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa / University of Northern Iowa / Prairie HS)
#99 Jojo Simpson (DE, 5-11, 207, Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Prairie HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, Aug. 31 at Minnesota Crookston – 4 p.m. |
| Wayne State College Wildcats |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 3-8, 2-5 South |
9 Off / 8 Def |
22 Off / 20 Def |
t-11th Overall, t-5th South |
| Team Preview |
| Wayne State returns nine starters on offense and eight more defensively as the Wildcats look to get back over the .500 mark following a 3-8 mark and 2-5 record in the NSIC South last season. The Wildcat offense features senior quarterback Zach Osborn, who threw for 2,666 yards and 25 TD’s last season. The Harlan, Iowa native is on track to break many of Silas Fluellen’s school records this season and has 9,128 yards of total offense entering this season. The top five receivers from last season are back, led by senior Nathan Rogers who hauled in 56 receptions for 740 yards while tying a single season school record with 12 TD passes. Junior Shymere Williams added 41 grabs for 687 yards and five scores. Senior Rashad Trimble is the top returning rusher after gaining 610 yards with three 100-yard games last year. The Wildcat defense needs to replace last year’s top tackler, All-NSIC and All-Region selection Cam Montgomery (74 tackles, six interceptions and 10 passes defended). WSC does return all three starting linebackers, led by sophomore Tyler Thomsen who ranked second on the team in tackles last season with 66 stops. Wildcat special teams should excel with the return of All-NSIC South Division punter Cody Netusil, a junior who averaged 40.5 yards per punt last season, and sophomore placekicker Ethan Knudson, who connected on 9 of 12 field goals while averaging just over 59 yards per kickoff with 12 touchbacks. |
| Players to Watch |
#10 Zach Osborn QB, 6-1, 195 Sr., Harlan, Iowa / Harlan HS)
#55 Tyler Thomsen (LB, 6-1, 220, So., Fremont, Neb. / Archbishop Bergan HS) |
| First game |
| Thursday, August 31 at Northern State – 6 p.m. |
| Winona State University Warriors |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Returning Letterwinners |
Standings |
| 8-3, 5-2 South |
6 Off / 7 Def |
21 Off / 15 Def |
t-3rd Overall, t-2nd South |
| Team Preview |
Winona State will have to replace three of the most prolific offensive stars in school history when the 2017 season gets underway on August 31 against Bemidji State. Guard Jake Gronholz will lead a group of experienced offensive lineman, hoping to bring stability to an offense that needs to replace its starting running back, quarterback and leading receiver.
The defense ranked first in scoring defense last season, allowing a league low 17.6 points per game. They were also first in total defense, allowing 39 yards less than any team in the NSIC. That defense will return seven starters from last season. The Warriors were second in passing defense and fifth in rushing defense. Defensive end Michael Ferrante will try to lead a front seven that will look to set the tone defensively.
Last year WSU averaged 37.09 points per game, scoring 51 touchdowns. The passing offense was responsible for 3,095 yards, sixth in the league.
In 2017, the Warriors will need a balance of returning veterans and emerging stars to contribute to the team to have a successful 2017 campaign.
The Warriors signed 27 people for the 2017 season, including 14 players from Wisconsin, 7 from Minnesota, four from Illinois, and one from both Arizona and Indiana. |
| Players to Watch |
#78 Jake Gronholz (OG, 6’3, 287, Sr., Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran)
#6 Michael Ferrante (DE, 6’1, 260, Jr., Roselle, Ill. / Lake Park) |
| First game |
| Thursday, August 31 vs Bemidji State – 6 p.m. |
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