MOORHEAD, Minn. - Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference sidekick University of Minnesota, Crookston will be the special guest of honor when Minnesota State University Moorhead celebrates Homecoming with a 1 p.m. Saturday showdown at Alex Nemzek Stadium.

The Dragons and Golden Eagles will bring a pair of new head coaches and matching 1-2 overall records to the 13th reunion of the Red River Valley neighbors. It will also mark the first meeting between Steve Laqua of MSUM and UMC's Chuck Moller. MSU Moorhead leveled the series rivalry at 6-6 last year with a 48-14 victory at Crookston.

While Minnesota, Crookston is certain to pose problems for MSU Moorhead, the Golden Eagles will have some worries of their own on Saturday. After three games MSUM's Kendall Hendon is first in the NSIC in all-purpose yards, 234.7, tied for first in receptions, 19, third in receiving yards, 100.3, tied for third in scoring, 8.0 ppg, and fifth in punt returns, 8.0. Kevin Koch is fourth in pass efficiency, 150.4, fifth in total offense, 229.0, and sixth in passing, 199.3.

Last fall Koch had a hand and foot in five scoring drives as Minnesota State Moorhead sprinted to a 14-0 getaway and cruised to a 48-14 victory at Minnesota, Crookston. Koch completed 18 of 26 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for two TDs as well. E'boni Lucious-West rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns while Brandon Thompson turned six passes receptions into 107 yard and one touchdown.

Minnesota, Crookston fell to 0-2 in the league with a 42-0 loss at MSU Mankato last week, but the rebuilding project underway at UMC has drawn high fives. Junior tailback Richard Haley, 6-0, 205, has shouldered much of the rushing load for Moller with 466 yards and one touchdown in three starts while freshman quarterback A. J. Barge, 6-3, 190, has completed 19 of 42 passes for 266 yards and two TDs. Junior split end Eric Fiege, 5-9, 175, tops the UMC receiving chart with six catches for 110 yards while Haley has caught five passes for 49 yards. Sophomore strong safety Tevin Kellum, 5-11, 190, leads the Golden Eagles with tackles with 31 stops and sophomore free safety Freedom McCullough, 6-2, 190, has been credited with 26 tackles. The Golden Eagle offensive line features senior guard Scott Steuck, 6-6, 290, and junior tackle Mike Johnson, 6-8, 285.

Three Dragon conference championship teams will be recognized on Saturday as well, including the 1971, 1981 and 1991 Dragons.

Following Saturday's date with UMC, Minnesota State Moorhead will motor to Duluth to face the defending NCAA Division II national champion Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs October 1.

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