MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead football will host its annual Homecoming game on Saturday, October 12, as the Dragons play host to 15th-ranked Minnesota State. Kickoff is slated for noon on SCHEELS Field at Alex Nemzek Stadium.
Live stats and video will be available at msumdragons.com. Fans can also listen to the game live on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with Jace Denman and 'Big Game' James McCarty on the call.
Matchup History...The Mavericks have commanded the recent series as the Mavericks have won seven straight against MSUM. Minnesota State leads the all-time series 25-14 as the last time the Dragons topped the Mavs was October 10, 1981 (52-0). However, it is worth noting that the teams did not face one another from 1982 until Minnesota State joined the NSIC in 2008. Last year's contest between the two programs came down to the wire as the Mavericks needed a fourth-quarter field goal to defeat the Dragons, 24-21.
More Records Set...In last week's loss to Winona State, junior wide receiver Gage Florence reset the MSUM school record for career receptions. Florence made seven catches for 66 yards in the game, putting his career total at 256, which tops the previous program record held by Grady Bresnahan (254). Heading into the contest with the Mavericks, Florence leads the nation in total receptions (48) and receptions per game (9.6).
Strand In Need of One...Junior quarterback Jack Strand dished out one passing touchdown against Winona State, which ties him atop the program's all-time leaderboard. Strand and Demetrius Carr currently share the record with 65 scores.
Jawin' Jarchow Makes An Impact...With a dinged up secondary last week, sophomore safety Gavin Jarchow had his best statistical game to date for MSUM. The Cumberland, Wis., native made a career-high 14 tackles for the Dragons against the Warriors. Of those 14 tackles, Jarchow made eight solo stops as he leads the roster in solo tackles in 2024 with 23. Overall, Jarchow and senior linebacker Josiah Behm lead the Dragons with 35 total tackles this season.
My My McKale...Junior cornerback McKale Pierson also had a career performance against Winona State on Saturday. The Glyndon, Minn., product made a career-high 12 stops including nine solo tackles. Pierson is fourth on the team with 28 total tackles, which includes 22 solo takedowns.
Is He A Back or Nah...Senior running back Luke Imdieke continues to be one of the nation's best pass catchers out of the backfield. Against Winona State, Imdieke made eight receptions for 42 yards and caught the lone touchdown of the contest for the Dragons. In total, Imdieke has made 26 catches in 2024 and has scored three times through the air. His receptions total is in the top ten in the NSIC.
Dragon Homecoming...In the Steve Laqua era of MSUM football, the Dragons are 4-8 in Homecoming games. However, MSUM has won its last two Homecoming contests against Minot State (2022) and Sioux Falls (2023). The Dragons defeated the Beavers 36-14 on October 8, 2022, and went on to top the Cougars 53-40 on October 14, 2023.
Mavs Talk...Minnesota State comes to Moorhead touting the number 15 ranking in the latest AFCA poll. Minnesota State is first in the NSIC in total offense, tallying 460.7 yards per game as a unit. Of those total yards, an average of 206.3 come on the ground led by Sam Backer. On defense, the Mavs surrender 346.2 yards to opponents, the fifth-most in the conference. Minnesota State has the seventh-best pass defense in the NSIC, surrendering just 184.2 yards per game through the air.
Steve Laqua is in his 14th season as MSUM's head football coach.
