The Paddle is on the line this week as the Minnesota State University Moorhead football team travels to Bismarck, N.D., to compete against the University of Mary.
Kickoff is at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the MDU Resources Community Bowl in Bismarck, N.D.
MSUM currently retains the paddle and has won six straight meetings in the series with UMary.
MSUM is 2-5 on the season after falling to Bemidji State last Saturday, while UMary is 1-6 on the season after dropping their last game to the University of Sioux Falls.
Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com
An MSUM win over UMary would...
- Give the Dragons their seventh straight win over UMary.
- Give MSUM their third win of the season.
- Give MSUM their second road win of the season.
Series History
MSUM and UMary will meet for a 16th time with the Marauders leading the series 8-7. The Dragons have won six straight in the series and seven of the last eight meetings.
The Battle For The Paddle
The first Battle of the Paddle meeting between the Dragons and Marauders was in 2006. UMary won that initial game 21-20 and captured the paddle for the first seven years of its existence. The Dragons won the paddle for the first time in 2013 with a 48-41 victory over UMary in Moorhead. Since that win, MSUM has only relinquished the paddle one other time in 2014 with the Dragons winning the last six paddle match-ups.
Last Five Meetings
2021: MSUM 35, UMary 31 (In Moorhead)
2019: MSUM 47, UMary 32 (in Moorhead)
2018: MSUM 48, UMary 20 (in Bismarck)
2017: MSUM 51, UMary 19 (in Moorhead)
2016: MSUM 47, UMary 16 (in Bismarck)
The Head Coaches
Steve Laqua is in his tenth season, and 11th year overall as MSUM's head coach with a record of 50-68 at the school. Craig Bagnell is in his fourth season as UMary head coach with a record of 8-32.
About MSUM
The Dragons fell to 2-5 on the season after falling to Bemidji State, 46-7 last Saturday. Freshman quarterback
Jack Strand leads the passing attack for the Dragons and is 124-of-181 for 1,147 passing yards and eight touchdowns.
Redshirt Freshman
Gage Florence has 59 receptions for 580 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Junior
Ryan Bieberdorf has 29 receptions for 420 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Freshman
Carter Birrenkott has 28 receptions for 271 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
Sophomore
Luke Imdieke leads the rushing game for the Dragons with 144 rushing yards on 49 carries. Junior
Hayden Boll adds 71 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries.
On defense, Sophomore linebacker
Josiah Behm leads the Dragons with 66 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Sophomore defensive back Marcus Galley has 51 tackles, two sacks, and an interception. Junior defensive back
Jared Kallenbach has 46 tackles and an interception. Senior linebacker
James Eggert adds 36 tackles and two sacks. Sophomore defensive lineman
Denver Sheets leads the team with three sacks.
The Dragons average 279.1 yards per game and allow 424.6 yards per game.
About UMary
The Marauders fell to 1-6 on the season after falling to the University of Sioux Falls, 41-27 last Saturday. Senior quarterback Logan Nelson leads the passing attack for the Marauders and is 101-of-175 for 1,219 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Senior Danny Kittner has 58 receptions for 702 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Luke Bodine has 20 receptions for 210 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Collin Gapen adds 18 receptions for 207 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Senior Dave Small Jr. heads up the rushing attack for the Marauders with 466 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 107 carries. Freshman Gabe Levy has added 213 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries.
On defense, Senior linebacker Devyn Charles leads the team with 55 tackles and three sacks. Senior defensive back Johnny Tillman has 45 tackles and 1.5 sacks and Senior linebacker Devin Beck has 44 tackles. Senior defensive back Ty'Rhae Gibson adds 35 tackles and three interceptions.
The Marauders average 332.7 yards per game and allow 404.4 yards per game.
Young Receivers Emerge
Redshirt freshmen receivers
Gage Florence and
Carter Birrenkott have combined for 87 receptions for 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns through seven games. Florence hauled in a 70-yard pass against Minnesota Duluth for the Dragons' longest play this season.
Take Your Pick
The Dragons have eight interceptions through seven games. Marcus Galley,
Jared Kallenbach,
Cody Sorenson,
Joey Hughes and
Jackson Faller have one interception apiece.
Jake Bettcher leads the team with three interceptions on the season.
Week Eight Under Laqua
The Dragons are 6-4 in week eight games under Laqua.
2021: MSUM 35, UMary 31.
2019: MSUM 23, SMSU 14
2018: MSUM 21, Sioux Falls 55
2017: MSUM 49, Crookston 7
2016: MSUM 47, UMary 16
2015: MSUM 30, Minot State 20
2014: MSUM 45, UMary 52
2013: MSUM 48, UMary 41
2012: MSUM 7, UMary 23
2011: MSUM 3, Augustana 35
Kickoff between the Dragons and Marauders is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Bismarck on Saturday.
