MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead football is set to begin the 2025 NSIC gauntlet this weekend as they travel to Marshall, Minn., for a matchup with Southwest Minnesota State. Action from Mattke Field at Schwan Regional Event Center is set to kickoff at 5 p.m. Saturday.
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 'Big Game' James McCarty and Jace Denman on the call.
Matchup History...MSUM will put a four-game winning streak over the Mustangs on the line this Saturday in Marshall. The Dragons vanquished Southwest Minnesota State a season ago (38-6) inside the confines of Nemzek Stadium. Over the last four meetings between the two teams, MSUM has outscored the Mustangs 128-58. Prior to the four-game streak, MSUM had dropped seven straight to the Mustangs from 2008 until 2017. However, the Dragons still lead the all-time series 31-19. Moorhead won the first 15 installments of the matchup from 1970 until 1985.
Aye Aye, Cap'n...Senior linebacker
Mitchell Jezierski was all over the field in MSUM's 44-37 win over Northern Michigan last Thursday. Jezierski made a career-high 18 tackles, including a whopping 12 solo takedowns. The Rogers, Minn., native also had two tackles for loss, one sack as well as two forced fumbles, with both being recovered by the Dragons. Jezierski's tackle total is the highest in a single game since 2011. On October 15, 2011, Jeff Schuette (20) and Tyler Brody (19) combined for 39 tackles in a 35-10 loss to Bemidji State. Jezierski was named the NSIC Player of the Week for his efforts.
All-Time Flo...In MSUM's win over Northern Michigan, senior wide receiver
Gage Florence tallied 17 catches for 147 yards and three touchdowns. The effort moved Florence to 314 career receptions, making him just the 10th player in NCAA Division II history to tally 300 or more catches. The NCAA Division II record for career receptions is held by St. Anselm's Justin Bernard (386). This Saturday, Florence enters the contest with 276 receptions in NSIC games, just 15 catches shy of the conference record held by Mary's Danny Kittner (291).
The Countdown Is On...After passing for 336 yards against Northern Michigan last week, quarterback
Jack Strand sits just 49 yards short of 10,000 for his career. Oddly enough, Strand eclipsed the 5,000-yard passing plateau on October 21, 2023 in a 34-17 win over Southwest Minnesota State, his 17th career game. Saturday's tilt with the 'Stangs will be Strand's 33rd career game.
Everybody Eats..While Florence's 17 catches led the way, MSUM had six different receivers catch a pass against the Wildcats.
Carson Elbert hauled in five catches for 97 yards and a score, too. Elbert's yardage total is the third-best output of his career.
Forgot About Tate...Senior linebacker
Tate Gustafson also turned in a tackling clinic against Northern Michigan, tallying 14 total stops. It is the second-highest total of Gustafson's career behind the 16 tackles he made against McKendree on September 16, 2023.
More On The 'Stangs...In his fourth season, head coach Scott Underwood leads a Mustang outfit that is looking for its first win since November 11, 2023. SMSU returns their leading rusher in senior Jacob Honstetter, who ran for 315 yards in 2024. Several new faces grace the Mustang roster this season, headlined by senior quarterback Macloud Crowton. The St. George, Utah, native is set to take on the starting role after stints at San Jose State, Utah, Moorpark College and Idaho. Crowtown passed for 4,039 yards and 28 scores at Moorpark (2022-23).
Steve Laqua is in his 15th season as MSUM's head football coach.
