Independent file photo SMSU’s Boyer Bouman throws the ball during their Oct. 12 game against Bemidji State University. The Mustangs will face MSU Moorhead today.

MARSHALL – Southwest Minnesota State University (3-4, 1-3 NSIC South), fresh off a dramatic victory at St. Cloud State last Saturday, returns home today facing Minnesota State University Moorhead (3-4, 3-1 NSIC North) at Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.

•Today’s game is the final of four straight versus NSIC North Division opponents for SMSU during the month of October. The Mustangs will resume NSIC South play at home on Nov. 2 versus Winona State.

•SMSU enters today’s game having won three of its last four games, while MSUM has lost three straight.

•SMSU scored 42 points and racked up 419 yards of offense last week versus against a St. Cloud State defense that was allowing only 14 points and 263 yards per game.

•MSUM has been limited to less than 100 yards rushing in five of seven games.

Broadcast info

•Today’s game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with seventh-year SMSU play-by-play voice Ryan Rohlik.

•Live stats and video can be found at SMSUmustangs. com.

Senior recognition day

•Despite one more home game remaining on the schedule, the SMSU football program will have “Senior Recognition Day” on Saturday and will recognize its 17 seniors in a ceremony prior to kick off.

•The seniors to be honored include: Randy Anderson, Richard Ayers, Brad Bahlmann, Boyer Bouman, Jason Brunet, Job Dallien, Daniel Davis, Diondre Green, Nick Guzman, Cory Hollowell, Maurice Hunter, Davaeon Johnson, Peyton Sanders, Max Simmons, Tahjee Smith, Zach Stratmoen and Zach Thissen.

SMSU vs. MSUM series notes

Southwest Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead meet for the 47th time on Saturday with MSUM leading 27-19 … the first meeting was on Oct. 24, 1970 … SMSU has won the last seven games since Nov. 8, 2008 … MSUM’s last win came on Nov. 10, 2007, in Minneapolis … SMSU leads 12-10 in games played in Marshall, which includes a 48-9 win in the last meeting at the Schwan REC on Sept. 26, 2015 … SMSU has scored 45 or more points in five of the last six games … MSUM won the first 16 meetings in the series from 1970 to 1985, before SMSU earned its first victory on Oct. 4, 1986 … since 1986, SMSU leads the series 19-11.

SMSU high-octane

offense

•Following a shutout loss on Nov. 5, 2011, SMSU has since scored 30 or more points in nearly half of its games.

•Dating back to the final game of the 2011 season through seven games this season, SMSU has scored 30 or more points in 38 of its last 86 games.

•In that time, SMSU has scored 40 or more points 22 times, 50 or more points 11 times and 60 or more points once.

•SMSU hasn’t been as prolific scoring in the last two-plus seasons, having reached the 30-point plateau just six times in its last 33 games since Oct. 20, 2016, which includes three last season and twice this season.

SMSU coach Cory Sauter said on the offensive end, they have to maintain their formula of protecting the ball and the quarterback and be able to make plays against the man coverage defense.

“We’re playing a team that plays a little bit more man coverage, they have a pretty active defensive line so we definitely have to find ways to make plays in those man-to-man situations, but ultimately we still have to keep the same formula. Protect the football, protect our quarterback, be able to run the football; you do all of those things, good things are going to happen,” Sauter said. “I don’t think the formula changes a whole lot, it’s just a matter of putting our focus in that.”

Scouting MSU

Moorhead

•Steve Laqua, the 2018 NSIC Coach of the Year, is in his ninth season as head coach at MSUM with a record of 40-56. He led the Dragons to eight victories last season including a trip to the Mineral Water Bowl.

•MSUM has lost three straight games, including a 48-3 setback at home last Saturday to Augustana.

•The Dragons trailed 42-3 at halftime and finished the game with just 12 first downs and 217 yards of offense. MSUM closed the game 2 of 16 on third-down conversions.

•MSUM has played a pair of true freshman quarterbacks the past four weeks following a week three injury to junior starter Jakup Sinani.

•Quarterback Matthew Plasterer has started the past four weeks and has completed 103 of 177 passes for 1,142 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions.

•Quarterback Max Carter played in relief last week versus Augustana and completed 4 of 7 passes for 27 yards.

•Junior running back Ty Jochim has a team-high 260 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 71 carries.

•Junior wide receiver Grady Bresnahan has caught 45 passes for 577 yards and four touchdowns.

•Sophomore wide receiver Trent Marquart has 26 receptions for 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Sauter added on the defensive end, they know MSU Moorhead is a pass-heavy team and hopes they can put consistent pressure on the quarterback to create turnovers and short field position.

“Moorhead is known for throwing the football. They have only rushed for about 50 yards per game and they’ve thrown for quite a few yards per game, so that’s been their signature,” Sauter said. “For us, I want us to live up to the challenge and I’d love to see if we can find a way to get some pressure on their quarterback. That’s the part I think can really help us is if we can get some momentum with some short fields and turnovers and sacks and just win that field position battle.”

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications