MOORHEAD, Minn. - When Minnesota State University Moorhead puts the wraps on the 2011 football season on Saturday, they shouldn't be expecting any going away presents from St. Cloud State University. Yes, the Huskies will host the Dragons in a 1 p.m. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference gathering, but they have bigger things on their mind.

St. Cloud State's first concern is protecting its national ranking and enhancing its post-season playoff chances. There's also that nagging desire for a little football redemption after last week's frustrating 19-14 loss at Bemidji State University.

Emotions aside, St. Cloud State, 8-2 overall and 7-2 in the NSIC, has all the tools to make for a severe challenge for the touring Dragons on Saturday. Much of the Huskie success story this fall has been traced to the return of a proven corps of veterans. Sophomore Phil Klaphake, 6-1, 185, has completed 117 of 182 passes for 1,594 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games. Klaphake's favorite targets include junior Tyler Allery, 6-1, 195, and sophomore Damon Treat, 5-7, 155. Treat leads the Huskies in receiving with 26 catches for 275 yards and four touchdowns while Allery has 22 receptions for 306 yards. Senior Dante Steward, 5-7, 246, leads the Huskies in rushing with 684 yards on 106 carries while sophomore Michael Walker, 5-10, 205, has supplied 558 yards on 106 carries.

The Husky offensive line is anchored by senior tight end Nick Angellotti, 6-4, 230, senior center Scott Horvath, 6-1, 283, senior guard Ben Larson, 6-2, 275, and senior tackle Matt Theis, 6-7, 307. St. Cloud State defensive strongholds include senior linebackers Cody Kave, 5-11, 205, and Mark Martin, 6-0, 250, senior safety Tony Kubes, 6-0, 203, senior cornerback Joe Everson, 5-10, 175, senior defensive lineman Adam Shaffer, 6-2, 245, and senior tackle Matt Schwartz, 6-2, 255.

Despite the Huskies' classy portfolio, MSU Moorhead is sure to present some interesting challenges for St. Cloud State this weekend, especially the SCSU defense. After nine NSIC games Kendall Hendon ranks first in all-purpose yards, 162.4, and receptions, 5.89, sixth in receiving yards, 68.2, and sixth in kickoff returns, 24.3. Jeff Schuette is first in tackles, 11.9, while Kevin Koch is fifth in total offense, 216.9, and passing, 192.3. Schuette also ranks fourth in NCAA Division II with 11.5 tackles a game.

Last weekend MSU Moorhead, 2-8 overall and 1-8 in the NSIC, fell to Northern State 42-21 in a final stop at Alex Nemzek Stadium this year. Koch completed 25 of 50 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns while Hendon caught eight passes for 132 yards, including a 66-yard scoring strike from Koch in the fourth quarterback. Koch rushed for a 5-yard TD to close the first half and tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Phil Herkenhoff for the Dragons' first score.  Safety Tyler Brody was credited with 13 tackles, including five unassisted stops, for the Dragons while linebackers Andrew Pittman (11) and Schuette (10) combined for 21 tackles. Brody also had an interception.

MSU Moorhead will wave goodbye to 18 seniors this weekend, including noseguard Ben Condon (Maple Grove), cornerback Travis Davidson (Friendswood, TX), defensive end Darren Dell (Aberdeen, SD), quarterback Kyle Hall (Esko), wide receiver Kendall Hendon (San Jose, CA), tight end Phil Herkenhoff (Freeport), quarterback Kevin Koch (Elmhurst, IL),wide receiver Alex Leach (Pierz), linebacker Jake Ledding (Fergus Falls), runningback E'boni Lucious-West (Country Club Hills, IL), wide receiver Alex Pearson (Moorhead), holder Bryson Pluta (Winnipeg, MAN),  noseguard Max Pryor (Eden Prairie), linebacker Jeff Schuette (Richfield), runningback Brandon Thompson (Oakland, CA), offensive tackle Zack Tourangeau (Apache Junction, AZ), Logan Werlinger (Moorhead) and offensive tackle Zane Ziebell (Winona).

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