MOORHEAD, Minn. - For a second time this season Minnesota States University Moorhead will go trophy hunting when the Dragons welcome University of Mary to Alex Nemzek Stadium for a 1 p.m. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference meeting on Saturday.
MSU Moorhead will enter with a 2-6 overall record, including a 1-6 NSIC mark, while Mary is 4-4 overall and 3-4 in the NSIC. MSUM and Mary will meet for a sixth time on Saturday, and the Marauders have won all five previous meetings, including a 24-17 overtime victory at Bismarck, ND in 2008.
Cleary Minnesota State Moorhead will face some serious challenges on Saturday.
Sophomore quarterback Craig Bagnell directs a potent Mary offense. Bagnell has completed 94 of 148 passes for 1,484 yards and nine touchdowns in five games. Junior wide receiver Tyler Steffan leads the Marauders in receiving with 36 catches for 688 yards and 10 touchdowns, junior slotback Bryan Sandy has caught 22 passes for 214 yards and senior Curtis Darrah has 20 catches for 258 yards and one touchdown. Senior Josh Murray tops the Marauder rushing chart with 584 yards on 134 carries and seven touchdowns. Murray has averaged 73.0 yards per game on the ground.
The Marauder offensive line is anchored by senior tackles Aaron Echaves, and Adam Tescher, senior center Andre Vorhees and junior guards Ben Kringstad and Everest Moore, 6-3, 275. . . University of Mary defensive strongholds include senior linebackers Deshon Benton and Marcus Broome, sophomore defensive end John Oyloe and sophomore free safety Andrew Richter. Broome leads the Marauders in tackles with 70, including six for loss and two quarterback sacks, while Benton has 60 tackles, including 12 for loss, and two interceptions.
University of Mary will also face some major concerns on Saturday. After seven NSIC games Dragon wide receiver
Kendall Hendon ranks first in all-purpose yards, 170.3, second in receptions, 5.14, seventh in receiving yards, 69.7, and seventh in kickoff returns, 25.0.
Jeff Schuette is third in tackles, 12.14, while
Kevin Koch is fifth in total offense, 208.7, and passing, 186.9, and ninth in pass efficiency, 119.1. Schuette ranks seventh in the NCAA Division II a well with 11.63 tackles a game.
Next weekend the Dragons will return to Alex Nemzek Stadium for a match with Northern State University.
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