Football | 10/1/2018 3:57:00 PM

MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSUM football will host No. 1-ranked Minnesota State on Saturday for its annual homecoming game.

The homecoming game brings back many memories for the Dragon football players and fans — many good, and some more painful in terms of results. Many are compiled in 100 years of football.

During Ross Fortier's 23-year tenure as MSUM head coach, the Dragons were 17-6 in homecoming games. Ralph Micheli had seven homecoming wins during his 12-year run as Dragon head coach. 

Here are some homecoming football highlights;
— In 1966, MSUM, led by quarterback Bruce Bakeberg and receiver Bricker Johnson, beat Bemidji State, 13-0 on its way to its first NIC title in 14 years.

—In 1968, All-American Mike Quirk, (34 pictured above), rushed for 269 yards in a 48-19 win over Michigan Tech. Quirk rushed for 3,486 yards in his MSUM career and is a member of the Dragon Sports Hall of Fame.

—In 1970, Fortier's first year on the job, MSUM recorded a 24-22 win over nationally-ranked Kearney State (Neb.). Gary Turnberg — the future head coach at Dawson-Boyd High School — stepped in at quarterback for the injured Dan Woodbury to help spark the win.

—MSUM recorded back-to-back homecoming shutouts in 1971 and 1972, beating Winona State 34-0 in 1971 and Southwest Minnesota State, 31-0.

—In 1981 MSUM beat Winona State 57-0 on its way to a 10-0-1 mark and No. 1 ranking in the final NAIA national poll.

—In 1982, a pair of 100-yard rushers — future Dragon Hall of Famers Jerry Allen (130) and Randy Sullivan (122) — helped MSUM beat Minnesota Duluth. Quarterback Dennis Eastman fired two touchdown passes.

—Troy Hendricks (148 yards) and Burt Roberts (122 yards) combined for 270 yards on the ground in a hard-fought 14-7 victory over Bemidji State in 1985.

—Quarterback Bob Jones rushed for three scores and threw for another in a 46-12 rout of Bemidji State in 1989.

— The 1991 season saw MSUM defeat Bemidji State 42-7 after building a commanding a 35-0 lead.

— In 1994, in Ralph Micheli's second year as head coach, Mark Messer rushed for 144 yards in a 17-7 win over Minnesota Duluth.

—In a 51-7 drubbing of Minnesota Morris in 1995, eight different Dragons scored touchdowns.

—In 2007, quarterback Dustin Long threw for 242 yards and three scores and rushed for another in a 31-28 win over Upper Iowa. Enol Gilles rushed for 104 yards while Bryce Leggins added eight tackles and an interception.

—In 2016, All-American receiver Damon Gibson caught four touchdown passes from quarterback Demetrius Carr in a 41-12 win over Minnesota Crookston.  Gibson finished with 140 receiving yards on four receptions — all touchdowns.