Independent file photo SMSU’s Max Simmons dives across the end zone during their season opener against St. Cloud State University on Aug. 31, 2017. The Mustangs will kick off another season tonight on the road against Minnesota State University, Mankato.

MARSHALL – Southwest Minnesota State University opens its 51st season of football tonight playing at nationally ranked Minnesota State University with kickoff slated for 6:05 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium in Mankato.

•MSU is ranked No. 1 in the preseason D2Football.com poll and is No. 3 in the preseason American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll.

•The game will be televised live regionally on Midco Sports Network as part of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference’s “Game of the Week”.

Broadcasts

Radio Broadcast: 94.7 FM KARZ

TV: Midco Sports Network

Internet Radio: marshallradio.net

Internet Video Broadcast: SMSUmustangs.com/watchnow

Live Statistics: SMSUmustangs.com

SMSU vs. MSU

Series Notes

Southwest Minnesota State and Minnesota State meet for the 17th time on Thursday with MSU leading 16-0 in a series that started on Sept. 4, 1971 … MSU has been ranked in the Top 10 in six of the last nine meetings (including this season) … MSU is 9-0 all-time in games played in Mankato, including earning a 35-20 win the last game played in Mankato on Oct. 20, 2016 … Thursday’s game will be the 14th time the two schools have met as members of the same conference … SMSU has been held to 17 or less points in 10 of the 16 games … MSU has scored 34 or more points in the last 11 meetings … MSU won last season 54-7 in Marshall, a game also played on a Thursday night. It was the largest margin of victory for MSU in the series.

The Last Time – SMSU vs. MSU

No. 4 ranked Minnesota State used several big plays on offense, defense and special teams in the third quarter, leading to 21 points and an eventual 54-7 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Oct. 19, 2017, at the Schwan Regional Event Center. MSU finished with 541 yards of offense, including 347 on the ground. The Mavericks entered the game with the second ranked rush offense in Division II while also ranking fifth in total offense and sixth in scoring offense. SMSU quarterback Boyer Bouman made his first career start and completed 22 of 38 pass attempts for 133 yards. Max Simmons gained 73 yards rushing and one touchdown on five attempts for the Mustangs while Nate Huot caught a game-high eight passes for 53 yards. SMSU closed the game with 240 yards of offense with 12 first downs. Justin Taormina rushed for a game-high 154 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries to pace the Mavericks offensive attack. Ryan Schlichte completed 9 of 18 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

MUSTANG HISTORY

•The 2018 season marks the 51st year of college football at Southwest Minnesota State dating to 1968.

•SMSU owns an all-time record of 194-318-5, including 132-224-5 in conference play.

•SMSU has recorded 10 winning seasons, two NAIA playoff appearances (1987 and 1991) and one Mineral Water Bowl appearance (2013).

•The program earned its lone conference championship in 1990.

FOR OPENERS

•Southwest Minnesota State is 22-28 all-time in season openers.

•SMSU lost last season, 41-26, at home to St. Cloud State.

•The only other time SMSU opened its season versus MSU came in 1971 at Mankato.

•SMSU is 3-5 in season openers under head coach Cory Sauter.

NSIC SOUTH

ACTION TO OPEN THE SEASON

•For the first time since the NSIC adopted an 11-game conference schedule in 2012, all NSIC teams will play their first four games versus divisional opponents.

•Prior to this season, SMSU opened the season with four games versus NSIC North opponents.

•SMSU opens this season with four games versus NSIC South foes, then will play four NSIC North opponents, before closing the season with three games versus NSIC South teams.

SMSU IN SOUTH

DIVISION PLAY

•Since the NSIC adapted divisional play prior to the 2008 season, SMSU is 22-44 all-time in South Division games and has finished in the top half of the division three times in 10 seasons.

•SMSU had its highest finish in 2013 at second place and has finished fourth three times, fifth twice, sixth three times and seventh once.

OPENING DRIVE

TIDBITS

•SMSU will be looking for first first-ever victory over a No. 1 ranked team on Thursday.

•SMSU ended the 2017 season losing its last eight games following a 2-1 start.

•SMSU’s last eight-game losing streak during a single season came in 1976 when SMSU finished 0-9 overall.

•SMSU finished the 2017 season ranked second in the NSIC in passing offense (233.5) and 12th in rushing offense (121.8). SMSU also ranked 13th in scoring offense (18.6) and 14th in scoring defense (34.3).

•Junior quarterback Boyer Bouman started the final four games and finished the season completing 106 for 179 pass attempts for 826 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

•SMSU ranked 27th in the country in turnover margin (+0.82) and 52nd in turnovers gained (22).

•SMSU ranked tied for first with four other teams in Division II in fewest fumbles lost (3).

•Senior quarterback Blake Gimbel had his 26-game consecutive start streak snapped on Sept. 30. He did not play the final seven weeks of the season.

SMSU VERSUS RANKED

OPPONENTS

•SMSU is 1-20 versus Division II Top 25 teams since the 2008 season including 1-2 during the 2017 season.

•SMSU lost 24-10 to No. 7 Sioux Falls on Sept. 30, 54-7 to No. 4 Minnesota State on Oct. 19 and 45-7 to No. 18 Winona State on Nov. 4.

•SMSU’s lone victory versus a Division II Top 25 team came in the 2016 season opener versus No. 19 Minnesota Duluth (42-38) in Marshall.

ABOUT

MINNESOTA STATE

•Todd Hoffner is entering his ninth season as head coach at MSU and has a career record of 79-20. He has led the Mavericks to five NCAA playoff appearances.

•MSU finished 13-1 a season ago and advanced to the third round of the NCAA playoffs before losing to eventual national champion Texas A&M Commerce.

•The Mavericks averaged 40 points and 466 yards of offense a game last season.

•Running back Nate Gunn is the team’s top returning rusher from last season with a school single-season record 1,550 yards and 12 touchdowns.

•Running back Justin Taormina rushed for 1,140 yards and 11 touchdowns.

•Quarterback Ryan Schlichte returns after passing for 1,910 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2017.

•MSU also returns Shane Zylstra, who caught 51 passes for 861 yards and tied a school single-season record with 15 touchdowns.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications