MOORHEAD, Minn. - A pair of highly productive offensive units step to center stage on Saturday when Minnesota State University Moorhead returns to Alex Nemzek Stadium to welcome Southwest Minnesota State University to a 1 p.m. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference feature football attraction.
Both the Mustangs (1-4 overall, 1-3 NSIC) and the Dragons (2-3 overall, 1-3 NSIC) have put up some classy offensive numbers in the first month of play and have surely benefited from outstanding quarterback play.
Kevin Koch has enjoyed a sparkling senior season and rates among the league's elite in several categories while Tyler Peschong has quickly gained his footing in his first season at the starting quarterback at SMSU.
Peschong has completed 115 of 203 passes for 1,290 yards and eight touchdowns in five starts while junior Warren Matthews headlines an improving Mustang running game with 57 carries for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Tyler Erickson tops the Mustangs in receiving with 24 catches for 236 yards and a touchdown and sophomore Britt Wickett has 19 catches for 174 yards and one TD. The Mustangs are certain to have some defensive worries of their own on Saturday, especially defusing the offensive handiwork of the dangerous Dragon tandem of Koch and
Kendall Hendon. Koch ranks fifth in the league in total offense, 234.2, seventh in passing, 202.8 and eighth in pass efficiency while Hendon is first in all-purpose yards, 198.8, and receptions, 6.0, second in receiving yards, 96.0 and seventh in kickoff returns, 27.4.
Last weekend reigning NCAA Division II National Champion Minnesota Duluth posted a 49-21 touring victory over MSU Moorhead, but not without some anxious moments as Koch completed 24 of 33 passes for a career high 279 yards and three touchdowns. Hendon had eight catches for 135 yards and joined fellow Dragons
Alex Leach and
Shawn Marlowe in the end zone with TD receptions. Southwest State, meanwhile, fell at Wayne State 52-29 despite a quick getaway.
Following Saturday's meeting MSU Moorhead travels to Bemidji State October 15 while Southwest Minnesota State hosts St. Cloud State.
PRESS RELEASE LIVE STATS LIVE STREAMING LIVE RADIO
