Independent file photo SMSU’s Blake Gimbel drops back to pass during their Sept. 1, 2016 game against the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Mustangs will face the Bulldogs today for the first time since their 42-38 victory over UMD in 2016.

MARSHALL – Southwest Minnesota State University (3-3, 1-3 NSIC South) plays its third straight NSIC North Division foe today, facing No. 6 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth (6-0, 4-0 NSIC North) starting at 1:05 p.m. at Malosky Stadium in Duluth.

•SMSU will be looking for its first four-game winning streak since opening the 2015 season with four straight victories.

•SMSU has just one victory in 17 all-time games in Duluth.

•SMSU begins the week ranked third in Division II in both turnovers gained (17) and turnover margin (+1.5).

•UMD enters the game ranked third in Division II in scoring defense (11.0) and third in total defense (215.0).

Broadcasts

Radio Broadcast: 

105.1 FM KARL

Internet Radio:

marshallradio.net

Internet Video Broadcast:

SMSUmustangs.com/

watchnow

Live Statistics: 

SMSUmustangs.com

OPENING DRIVE

TIDBITS

•SMSU has forced a combined 12 turnovers during its three-game winning streak.

•SMSU rushed for a season-high 256 yards in the win over Minnesota Crookston last week.

•SMSU also had a season-high in total yards (548) and first downs (28) in the victory over UMC.

•Junior defensive end Tyshonn Woodard set a career-high with six tackles, including three for loss, recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal in last Saturday’s win.

•Sophomore kicker Skyler Crew made his first two field goals of the season in the win over UMC.

•Junior wide receiver Daniel Davis has three 100-yard receiving games in the last four weeks.

•Davis ranks sixth in Division II with eight touchdown receptions and ranks 19th in receiving yards (582) and 27th in receptions per game (6.0).

•Davis ranks third in the NSIC in both receptions and receiving yards.

•Senior Blake Gimbel recorded his 10th career 300-yard passing game two weeks ago at UMary, ranking fourth in team history.

•Junior running back Max Simmons has nine career 100-yard rushing games which ranks tied for fourth in team history.

•The 75-yard touchdown run by Simmons two weeks ago at UMary is the longest play from scrimmage for SMSU this season.

•Senior Blake Gimbel ranks first in team history with 809 completions surpassing Josh Shudlick’s (2005-08) school record of 769. Gimbel set the record in SMSU’s road win over UMary on Sept. 29.

•Gimbel ranks sixth in Division II in completions per game (24.8) and is 17th in passing yards (1,605).

•Senior linebacker Shane Ratkovich has led the team in tackles for five straight games. He has a team-high 61 tackles and ranks first in the NSIC and 26th in Division II with 10.2 tackles per game.

•Junior cornerback Cory Hollowell ranks seventh in Division II in passes defended with 1.8 per game.

ABOUT

MINNESOTA

DULUTH

•UMD is 6-0 overall, 4-0 NSIC North, and is coming off a 28-17 road win over Augustana last Saturday afternoon.

•UMD has won nine or more games every season since rejoining the NSIC in 2008 with a pair of NCAA championships (2008 and 2010).

•Sophomore quarterback John Larson has completed 95 of 159 pass attempts for 1,278 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. He is also the team’s leading rusher with 430 yards and four touchdowns on 72 carries.

•Redshirt freshman running back Wade Sullivan has rushed for a 364 yards and seven touchdowns on 74 carries.

•Senior wide receiver Nate Ricci has caught a team-high 19 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

•Senior linebacker Gus Wedig has racked up 26 tackles, including six for loss. He also has one sack, two forced fumbles and two pass break-ups.

•Curt Wiese is in his sixth season as head coach with a record of 58-11. He has led the Bulldogs to three NCAA playoff appearances. Wiese was head coach at Marietta College in 2006-07 and recorded a mark of 9-11.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications