MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The MSU Moorhead Dragons are hoping to bounce back at home this week against the Wolves of Northern State University. The contest will take place at SCHEELS Field at Nemzek Stadium on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com.
 
About the Dragons

The Dragons (2-2, 1-2 NSIC) will have a tough game on their hands this week against Northern State, as they will hope to bounce back after a hard-fought battle against Augustana last week. That game ended in the Dragons coming up a little short with a final score of 31-27. The Dragons kept pace with the Vikings and were able to put up 27 points on the number one ranked defense in the NSIC. The Vikings had a 21-6 lead at halftime, but the Dragons fought back. An offensive outburst in the second half brought them close, but it wasn't quite enough to overcome the deficit and secure the victory. However, there are certainly some takeaways from last week's matchup against a very good Augustana team that 13^th year head coach Steve Laqua will be happy with.

The first of which is the Dragon offensive effort. This side of the ball has been very consistent for the Dragons so far this season. Through the first four games, the MSUM offense averages an incredible 36 points and 435 yards per game. A big part of this offense that we cannot overlook is MSUM's experienced receiving core. Returning all of their top targets from last year, the Dragons have continued their strong momentum in the passing game into the 2023 season. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Carter Birrenkott has been an absolute stud through four games. He leads the receivers in almost all categories. He has hauled in 25 passes for 377 yards, for an average of over 15 yards per catch. His longest reception is 45 yards.

Birrenkott also has grabbed a team-leading five passes for scores. He leads in every one of these categories except for total receptions. That belongs to redshirt sophomore receiver Gage Florence with 43 receptions. Those receptions have gone for 345 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore wideout Brady Perryman has also racked up 275 receiving yards on 24 catches, also going for four scores. Senior receiver Ryan Bieberdorf has contributed as well, with 12 catches for 158 yards and a couple touchdowns. Bieberdorf sits 76 yards shy of 2,000 for his Dragon career. 

Slinging the rock around the field to all these great receivers is sophomore quarterback Jack Strand. Against Augustana last week, Strand had 67 passing attempts, completing 45 of them to his pass catchers, three of which being for touchdowns. He also used his legs effectively, rushing for 45 yards excluding sack yardage. On the season, he has completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 1,403 yards. Strand has also thrown 15 touchdown passes so far through four games, a mark that leads the NSIC thus far. The Dragons lead the NSIC in passing yards per game, throwing for an astonishing 363.5 yards per game.

The Dragons don't run the ball often, but when they have this season, it has been very effective. Last week against one of the best rushing defenses in the NSIC, junior running back Luke Imdieke averaged 6.5 yards per attempt, totaling 52 yards on eight rushes for the day. This great yards per attempt was not a fluke however, it has been happening every game so far this season. Imdieke on the year has an average of 6.0 yards per carry, which puts him among the top rushers in the NSIC.

The MSUM defense has also remained solid throughout the season so far. They are in the top half of the NSIC in yards allowed, as well as touchdowns allowed. Leading the Dragons on defense last week were a pair of upperclassman defensive backs. Junior Cody Sorenson and sophomore Adam Kallenbach each tallied nine tackles as well as one pass breakup. Kallenbach forced a fumble as well that led to a Dragons touchdown in the third quarter. Senior defensive back Jake Bettcher had an interception, as well as five takedowns. Junior defensive lineman Justice Noel added a sack and six tackles to the mix. On the season, linebackers Josiah Behm and Jack Bungarden are tied for the team lead in the tackles category with 28.

The Dragons have held their opponents to an average of 324 yards per game though their four contests this season.
 
Scouting Northern State

The Wolves (1-3, 1-3 NSIC), will come into Moorhead on Saturday looking to get back on the right track after dropping a game to Winona State last weekend 39-16. They have faced some very tough NSIC opponents early in the season, dropping games to Bemidji State, Minnesota Duluth and now Winona State. Their lone victory came against Mary two weeks ago in a game they dominated, 41-10. Head coach Mike Schmidt will surely be hoping to come out of Moorhead with their second victory of the season.

Offensively for the Wolves they have been splitting reps at quarterback. Redshirt freshman quarterback Colton Hackel has taken the majority of the reps behind center. Hackel has completed 44-of-90 attempts through the air for 697 yards. He has thrown four touchdowns compared to his five interceptions. Hackel is also a threat on the ground with his legs. He has rushed for a team-leading 235 yards on 43 attempts, removing sack yardage. He has scored two touchdowns on the ground as well. Junior Anthony Vespo has also taken some snaps at quarterback. He has completed 22-of-41 attempts for 345 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. He is not as much of a threat with his legs, throwing from the pocket is his best attribute. The Wolves' best running back is senior Stanley Haskins Jr. He has 176 yards rushing on 24 attempts, and he has plunged into the endzone twice for touchdowns. Northern State has two dangerous wide receivers the Dragons will need to try and bottle up. Graduate Dewaylon Ingram has snagged 22 catches for 405 yards and three touchdowns. Graduate Dakota Larson has hauled in 23 catches for 387 yards and three touchdowns as well. 

The Wolves average 401.5 yards per game offensively.
 
Defensively they are led by junior linebacker Charlie Larson. Larson has tallied a team-leading 34 tackles thus far. He adds four tackles for loss, and a forced fumble as well. Junior defensive back Payton Hughes leads the Wolves in pass breakups with three passes knocked down. Junior defensive lineman Justin Hernandez has had a good start to the year with five tackles for loss and a forced fumble from his defensive line position. 

The Wolves have held their opponents to 337 yards per game. A mark that is just behind the Dragons.
 
More About the Dragons

Walking Highlight Reel

Redshirt sophomore receiver Carter Birrenkott has been on a tear to start the season. He has been a playmaker for the Dragons every game thus far, grabbing five touchdowns in the first four games this season. However, last week his touchdown catch wasn't his most eye-catching grab of the game. On a go route, Birrenkott reached up with his right hand and snagged the pass from Strand right out of the air for a one-handed, SportsCenter worthy, highlight reel catch. Birrenkott is always one of the Dragons on offense to catch your eye, but last week he certainly made some big waves with his grab.

Fine Margins

With as closely matched as these two squads are, every player and every play will matter. This includes things like remaining disciplined and not giving free penalty yardage away to the opponent. The Dragons have been okay in this area so far this year, averaging 39 penalty yards per game. Coach Laqua will surely have his guys focused and ready to go on Saturday, and hopefully the Dragons can minimize any unforced errors.

Series History

Last season, the Wolves handed the Dragons a 35-7 loss which saw Northern State rush for 254 yards. The Dragons will be hoping to get some revenge this time around. The Dragons are 25-34-1 against the Wolves all time.

Last five matchups:
2022 – 35-7 L (In Aberdeen)
2021 – 33-27 L (In Moorhead)
2019 – 24-17 W (In Aberdeen)
2018 – 42-28 W (In Moorhead)
2017 – 28-20 L (In Aberdeen)