2018 Record: 7-4, 7-4, 4-3 South

Following a 7-4 campaign in 2018, the Augustana Viking return 18 starters to the field this fall. The offense is in good shape, and it starts up front with All-NSIC first-team selection center Jake Lacina, who will anchor the offensive line. All-Conference QB Kyle Saddler will call the shots behind center, and the junior will be looking to build off a 3,400 yard and 31 touchdown season. The Vikings have some of deepest skill positions in the league, including All-NSIC performers RB Rudy Sinflorant (905 yards, 9 touchdowns) and WR Nickel Myers (13 touchdowns). Defensively, the Vikings return 9 starters, including defensive back Michael Kloza (4 INTs.) and LB Kyle Theis (79 tackles) who we're both All-NSIC and will make a big impact for the Vikings. In the Street & Smith's NCAA Division II preseason rankings, Augustana checked in at No. 24. For the second straight season, Augustana will open up the year by taking on Upper Iowa.

• #11 Kyle Saddler (QB, 6’0, 195, Jr., Frisco, Texas / Independence HS)
• NSIC South Division All-Conference Honorable Mention
• Started all 11 games and completed 249 passes of 480 attempts for 3423 yards and 30 touchdowns. Led the NSIC in passing yards per game and touchdowns
• Had a pair of five touchdown performances coming at the mercy of Minnesota Crookston on September 29th and Northern State on October 13th
• Finished the year third for the Viking's all-time in single-season completions and third all-time in single-season passing yards
• 5th in NCAA Division II in passing yards on the season. Ended the year with a 125.74 pass efficiency on the season
• Led the offense to an average of 306.8 yards per game, which was first in the NSIC
• #47 Kyle Theis (LB, 6’1, 217, Sr., Germantown, Wis. / Germantown HS)
• NSIC South Division All-Conference Honorable Mention
• Played in all 11 games and finished second on the Vikings with a career high 79 total tackles, including 43 solo
• Had a monster 17 tackle game against Minnesota State, which proved to be a season-high for the team
• Finished the year with three sacks and two forced fumbles
• Had a two-sack game at Minnesota-Crookston
• Added three pass breakups and one QB hurry

2018 Record: 7-4, 7-4 NSIC, 5-2 North

Bemidji State returns 13 starters on offense, defense and special teams, and 46 total letter winners for its 94th season as a program. Beavers Offensive Player to Watch Nick Niemi anchors the offensive line during his senior season after starting 14 of 25 career games in the Green and White. The 2018 Don Hansen All-Super Region Four Third Team Offense selection helped BSU rank third in the NSIC with 38.2 points per game, fourth with 214.7 rushing yards per game and fifth with 393.9 total yards per game. The Beavers return two All-NSIC members on offense and four All-NSIC members on defense, including BSU’s Defensive Player to Watch and 2019 NSIC North Division Defensive Preseason Player of the Year, junior linebacker Gabe Ames. Ames is a two-time All-NSIC honoree and has started 16 of 22 career games. He finished with a team-high 81 tackles, which ranked 13th in the NSIC, and 12.0 tackles for a loss in 2018. As a unit last season, the “Gang Green” led the conference in turnover margin with +16, interceptions with 21 and red zone defense at 61.9 percent. BSU also ranked second with a 107.1 passing defense efficiency, fourth with 19.1 points allowed per game and fourth with 112.0 rushing yards allowed per game.

• #69 Nick Niemi (OL, 6’2, 300, Sr., Cloquet, Minn. / Cloquet HS)
• 2018 Don Hansen All-Super Region Four Third Team Offense
• Started 8 of 10 games on the offensive line, including six games at left tackle
• Helped BSU rank third in the NSIC with 38.2 points, fourth with 214.7 rushing yards and fifth with 393.9 total yards per game
• Part of offensive line that allowed sixth fewest sacks in 2018
• #9 Gabe Ames (LB, 6’2, 220, Jr., Rosemount, Minn. / Rosemount HS)
• Two-time NSIC North Division All-Conference Defense selection
• Led BSU with 81 tackles and 12.0 tackles for a loss, which ranked 13th and 12th, respectively, in the NSIC in 2018
• Recorded seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks and one interception last season
• Totaled three 13+ tackle games in 2018 with a career-high 15 tackles against Minnesota State

2018 Record: 5-6, 5-6, 3-4 South

The 2019 Golden Bear football team will look to build upon its strong improvement a year ago, when the club won as many games (5) as the previous three seasons combined and had a three win turnaround from the previous year. The squad is armed with all but two returning starters on offense and brings back eight of 11 on the defensive side of the ball. Of key importance is the team’s returning depth and experience across the offensive and defensive lines, where six of the eight players who drew starts on the offensive line are back and all seven defensive linemen who earned starts are back. The offensive line blocked for four different 100-yard rushers a year ago and the top two backs, Lajuan Preston and Shaq Johnson averaged 6.7 and 5.6 yards per carry, respectively. Getting downfield was wide receiver MJ Williams who led the team in catches (43), yards (656) and tied Shaq Johnson with five total touchdowns. He’s flanked by three year starter Marcus Gustaveson who has 110 catches for 1,656 yards and 16 touchdowns across 32 games. Under center, the Golden Bears enter fall camp with three quarterbacks with college playing experience on the roster: senior Maxon Hutton who has experience starting parts of the last two seasons at CSP (1,486 yards, 10 passing TDs, 515 rushing yards). In the spring game, senior Jared Olsgaard had a breakout game in Hutton's absence (9-14, 110 yards, 17-88 rushing) and junior transfer Johnny Saavedra was an All-SCFA Pacific League First Team quarterback at Los Angeles Pierce College. Defensively, it starts with national sack leader Chris Garrett who set the school record with 16.5 sacks as a sophomore and has rolled up 22.5 sacks and 28.0 tackles for loss in just 17 career games in two seasons. He’s joined by the other three members of a formidable front four: three year starters Jackson Dobbs, Dylan Wood and Kelly Pierce.

• #1 MJ Williams (WR, 6’1, 180, Sr., Orange, Calif. / Ooltewah HS)
• 2018 All-NSIC South Division honorable mention
• The 2018 CSP Offensive Player of the Year
• Ranked in the NSIC's top-20 with five receiving TDs (14th), 656 receiving yards (16th) and 43 receptions (16th)
• Had a pair of 100-yard receiving performances
• #52 Chris Garrett (DL, 6’4, 230, Jr., Milwaukee, Wis. / Wisconsin Lutheran HS)
• 2018 All-America First Team (AFCA & AP)
• NCAA Division II sack leader with 1.65 per game
• Ranked fifth in Division II with 1.90 tackles for loss per game
• Set single season school record with 16.5 sacks
• In 17 career games, has compiled 22.5 sacks, 28.0 tackles for loss, 97 tackles and eight forced fumbles

2018 Record: 1-10, 1-10, 1-6 North

With year one far in the rearview mirror, Marauders head coach Craig Bagnell enters his second season at his alma mater leading a much deeper and more experienced team. UMary returns 40 players who saw action for the Blue & Orange last year, including over 20 who started at least once during the season. Including midyear transfers, over 70 Marauders competed in spring ball. Junior WR Luke Little, who led the Marauders with 40 catches for 657 yards and four scores, headlines the Marauders offense. A big-play specialist, Little had games of 199 yards receiving against MSU Moorhead and 162 yards against Northern State. Junior Jordan Velarde was the Marauders starter under center before suffering a season-ending injury in week two. He looks to retake the starting post but will have competition. Seniors Hunter Hanson, Rory Olson and Tyson Lytle lead an experienced offensive line. Bryan Lumsden led UMary with 395 yards rushing and four touchdowns as a true freshman. Outside linebacker Grady Blewett anchored a Marauders defense that was among the best in the conference at forcing turnovers last season. UMary ranked third in the NSIC with 23. The Bozeman, MT, senior earned All-NSIC honors after leading UMary in tackles with 70. He also had 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception. Senior Cyrano Rayfield paced the Marauders with 13 tackles for loss. In his first season as a starter, junior safety Jared Zittleman made 64 tackles, second most on the team. After making the switch from safety to linebacker, senior Noah Krebs had 54 stops, including 5.5 behind the line.

• #88 Luke Little (WR, 6-2, 205, Jr., Bismarck, N.D. / Century HS)
• Earned 2018 All-Northern Sun honorable mention honors
• Named to the 2018 NSIC Fall Sports All-Academic Team
• Led Marauders with 40 catches for 657 yards and four receiving touchdowns, averaging 16.4 yards/game
• 17th in the NSIC in receptions/game (4.0) and 12th in receiving yards/game (65.7)
• Posted 199 receiving yards against MSU Moorhead and 162 yards against Northern State in 2018 with both totals ranking in the top ten single game marks during UMary’s NCAA era
• #41 Grady Blewett (LB, 6-2, 220, Sr., Bozeman, Mont. / Belgrade HS)
• Earned 2018 All-Northern Sun honorable mention honors in first season as a starter
• Led Marauders with 70 tackles (31 solo) and had 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one interception
• Posted career-high 10 tackles against Bemidji State
• Credited with 1.5 sacks against SMSU
• Had a tackle for loss in seven games last season

2018 Record: 1-10, 1-10, 1-6 North

Minnesota Crookston is looking to continue to improve as they are coming off a 1-10 record on the 2019 season. The Golden Eagles snapped a losing streak that had dated back to 2015. Minnesota Crookston returns a lot of key pieces for the 2019 season as they return nine starters from 2018 on offense, and eight on defense. On offense, the Golden Eagles are led by senior quarterback Jalin Scott, who passed for over 1,100 yards and rushed for nearly 200. In addition, the Golden Eagles return five players who saw starting time on the offensive line along with two of their top pass catchers from 2018. Andy Groebner leads the way after a phenomenal freshman season in which he amassed 601 yards receiving on 33 catches with three touchdowns. As a junior, Jonattan Mudd caught 23 passes for 279 yards. Defensively, Joe Warner paces Minnesota Crookston at defensive tackle. He tallied 47 tackles in 2018 with 6.5 tackles for loss and one sack. In addition to Warner, Trevor Long, Jr. will patrol at safety after notching 79 tackles with seven pass break-ups. Will Cross is also back in the fold at linebacker after missing the 2018 season due to injury. The Golden Eagles, who are in their third season under Head Coach Mark Dufner, open their 2019 season Sept. 5 against Minnesota State University Moorhead as they take on the Dragons in the first “NSIC Thursday Night Football Game of the Week” on Midco Sports Network.

• #5 Jalin Scott (Sr., QB, 6-3, 195, Houston, Texas / I.H. Kempner HS)
• Was 84-of-186 for 1,173 yards with three touchdowns
• Averaged 106.6 passing yards per game
• Rushed for 188 yards on the ground with four touchdowns
• Had a 45.2 completion percentage as a junior
• #9 Joe Warner (Sr., DL, 6-1, 280, St. Louis Park, Minn. / St Louis Park HS)
• Tallied 47 tackles as a junior
• Was third on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss, including one sack
• Anchors a defensive line that returns six players that saw significant time in 2018

2018 Record: 11-1, 11-0, 7-0 North

The defending NSIC co-champions retain 44 lettermen from last year’s club, that went 11-1 overall and advanced to the NCAA II playoffs for the ninth time in 11 years. Among those are six starters on offense and seven from a defensive unit that allowed the fewest overall and rushing yards of any NCAA II unit in the nation in 2018. That includes a pair of 2018 All-NSIC North Division honorees in junior quarterback John Larson, who missed the final five games last season with a lower body injury and junior linebacker Nate Pearson, UMD’s sack leader (6.5) from a year ago. The Bulldog ball-stopping brigade also welcomes back junior free safety Bill Atkins , senior linebacker Isaac Erdmann, defensive end Tom Johnson and junior cornerback Michael Kirkendoll, all of whom attained All-NSIC North Division second team recognition in 2018, as well as fellow starters Justic’e King (junior cornerback) and Dan Monson (junior defensive end). On the other side of the football, seniors Obi Obeneme and Nick Eliason, along with junior team captain Johnny McCormick and sophomore Dain Hudson give Larson plenty of proven talents to throw to at the wide out position. Sophomore running back Wade Sullivan returns after pacing the 2018 Bulldogs in rushing while junior offensive guard Noah Leblanc, a 2018 All-NSIC North Division second team pick, is the lone returning from last year’s starting offensive line cast. Sophomore Zach Ojille, who made six starts at tight end in 2018, is expected to relocate to the offensive backfield this fall.

• #9 John Larson (QB, 6’1, 215, Jr., Braham, Minn. / Braham HS)
• 2019 Team Captain
• Was selected to the 2018 All-NSIC North Division first team despite missing the final five games of the year with a lower body injury
• Established a career-high for total offense (a team-leading 1,778 yards)
• Completed 60.5 percent of his passes (going 101-of-167) and threw for 1,343 yards while ranking second among 2018 Bulldogs in rushing
• Earned All-NSIC North Division second team honors in 2017 after pacing the league on pass efficiency (153.9) and yards per completion (14.4)
• #51 Nate Pearson (LB, 6’2, 220, Jr., Lake Nebagamon, Wis. / Northwestern HS)
• Played a central part in UMD’s nationally-ranked ball-stopping efforts and was aptly rewarded with a All-NSIC North Division first team citation
• Had 6.5 sacks (the second highest output among Bulldogs), 9.0 tackles for a loss, a team-leading six quarterback hurries and one defensive touchdown
• Had a hand in a career-high 35 tackles in his first year as a full-time starter
• Took his first pick as a Bulldog (and UMD's final interception of the season) and brought it back 29 yards for a touchdown in the 33-17 NCAA II playoff loss to visiting Texas A&M-Commerce

2018 Record: 13-1, 11-0, 7-0 South Division

Minnesota State, which has won three NSIC Championships in the last four seasons, carries a 24-game NSIC winning streak into the 2019 season. The Mavericks finished their 2018 season with a 13-1 record as they advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in team history. The Mavericks will see 53 letterwinners return from last year’s squad, including 10 starters from the offense and eight from the defense. MSU will also see six All-Americans return from last season including Chance Bowen, Alex Goettl, Nate Gunn, Evan Heim, Hunter Toppel and Shane Zylstra. Along with its six All-Americans, Minnesota State also welcomes back nine All-NSIC honorees, including six All-NSIC First Team members. Last season, MSU recorded the third most points (555) and third most yards total offense (6,545) in team history. The Mavericks tallied 3,345 yards on the ground and 3,109 yards through the air. The Minnesota State defense limited opponents to 17.0 points and 300 yards of offense per game last season, including just 99.5 rushing yards a game. MSU also converted on 50% of its third down attempts, while its opponents converted on just 31% of their attempts on third down. The Maverick defense also notched 50 sacks, while the MSU offensive line allowed just 12 sacks through 14 games. Gunn and Zylstra both return for their senior seasons after setting school records in rushing yards and receiving yards, respectively, last season. Goettl also returns after leading the Mavericks in tackles last season with 87.

• #84 Shane Zylstra (WR, 6-5, 220, Sr., Spicer, Minn. / New London-Spicer HS)
• Set a school record with 1,261 receiving yards last season
• His 14 touchdown catches last season were tied for the third in a season in team history
• Caught at least one touchdown pass in 12 games last season
• Tallied more than 100 receiving yards in five games last season
• Is tied for first in career touchdown catches at MSU with 36 and ranks fourth in career receiving yards with 2,621
• #49 Alex Goettl (LB, 6-3, 220, Sr., Mankato, Minn. / Mankato West HS)
• Led the Maverick defense in tackles last season with 87
• Tallied 10 tackles or more in three games during the 2018 season
• Recorded an interception and recovered a fumble against St. Cloud State
• Has tallied 157 career tackles at Minnesota State, to go along with 18.0 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks

2018 Record: 8-4, 8-3, 6-1 North

MSUM returns seven offensive starters and seven defensive starters from last year’s team that went 8-4 and qualified for the Mineral Water Bowl for the first time in school history. The team must replace junior All-NSIC North wide receiver Jake Richter, who is likely out for the season with an injury. Richter caught 64 passes for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. On defense junior Darius Woods-Steichen was All-NSIC North first team in 2018 after recording a team-best 8.5 sacks last season. Also returning on defense are All-NSIC North honorable mention selections DB Deiondre Taylor (66 tackles, 3 INT in 2018) and DL Matthew Domek (2nd on team with 11.0 tackles for loss). On offense junior Jakup Sinani is back after throwing for 1,504 yards and 11 scores last season. Junior WR Grady Bresnahan (All-NSIC North Second Team) is back after catching a team-best 80 passes last year. Junior OL Nathan Belisle was All-NSIC North second team last year. Steve Laqua is entering his ninth season at MSUM; he was the NSIC Coach of the Year in 2018.

• #6 Jakup Sinani (QB, 6-3, 197, Jr., Oak Creek, Wis. / Oak Creek HS)
• Threw for 1,504 yards and completed 56.2 percent of his passes
• Threw for 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions
• Has thrown for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns in past two seasons
• Rushed for 156 yards and two scores in 2018
• #8 Deiondre Taylor (DB, 5-10, 171, Sr., Crest Hill., Ill. / Lockport HS)
• All-NSIC North honorable mention selection in 2018
• Led team with three interceptions
• Third on team with 66 tackles, including 39 solo stops
• Led team with 11 pass break ups
• Also had a forced fumble and blocked kick

2018 Record: 1-10, 1-10, 1-6 North

Mike Aldrich enters his third season as head coach of the Beavers. Last season was highlighted by the fourth consecutive win over U-Mary to retain the Battle of the Big Lake Trophy. On offense, junior Ben Bolinske returns at quarterback, after starting the final 9 games of the 2018 season (1,655 all-purpose yards and 16 total touchdowns). Joining Bolinske on offense will be senior wide receivers Lavante Bushnell (47 catches, 578 yards, 8 touchdowns) and Lane Torgerson (524 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns), both All-NSIC performers. The entire Beaver offense line returns from a year ago, led by seniors Parker Franzen and Eric Besalda. On the defensive side of the ball, the Beavers return all four starting defensive linemen, led by Honorable Mention All-NSIC pick junior Jordan Will (42 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks) and senior Ellis Parr (46 tackles, 5.5 TFL). The linebacker corps returns four players with starting experience, including junior linebacker Derek Wax (35 tackles, 5 TFL, 1.5 sacks) and sophomore Jackson Green (58 tackles, 2.5 TFL). JoseLuis Moreno, a two-time First Team All-NSIC punter and First Team All-NSIC kicker, returns for his senior season to captain the Beavers special teams.

• #4 Lavante Bushnell (WR, 5’9, 180, Sr., Stockton, Calif. / A.A. Stagg HS)
• Earned his second consecutive honorable mention honor after also being named all-conference in 2017
• Was the Beavers top receiving threat in 2018 and led the team with 47 catches for 578 yards
• Additionally, he broke the Minot State Division II era record with eight touchdown receptions
• #52 Jordan Will (DL, 6’3, 265, Jr., Minot, N.D. / Bishop Ryan HS)
• Named to the NSIC honorable mention team last season
• Was sixth on the team with 42 total tackles and had 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks
• Forced a pair of fumbles against St. Cloud State and recovered a fumble versus UMary

2018 Record: 4-7, 4-7, 3-4 North

Northern State football will open the 2019 season at home versus Bemidji State on September 5 after going 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the NSIC North a season ago. The Wolves return 14 starters from 2018, while welcoming one of the largest freshman classes in the Dosch-era (46). Four all-conference honorees from last season will return to the gridiron on offense including quarterback Hunter Trautman, offensive lineman Drew Fahrman, and wide receivers Jacob Streit and Dakota Larson. The tag team of Streit and Larson made an instant impact for the Wolves in their first season suiting up with Larson earned NSIC North Newcomer of the Year honors, and Streit being named to the Don Hansen All-America team. Drew Fahrman and Zach Mohs were named the NSU players to watch heading into the 2019 season, as the anchor both the offensive and defensive lines for the Wolves heading into their senior campaigns. In addition to the new Wolves in uniform, Northern State welcomes coordinators Austin Flyger and Quinn Schafer in their first seasons, as well as offensive line coach Jon Roy.

• #61 Drew Fahrman (OL, 6’5, 300, Sr., Fargo, N.D. / Fargo South HS)
• 2018 NSIC All-Conference honorable mention offensive lineman
• 3-year starter for the Wolves
• #96 Zach Mohs (DL, 6’2, 290, Sr., West Fargo, N.D. / West Fargo HS)
• Started all 11 games on the defensive line in 2018
• Tallied 39 tackles and 8.0 tackles for a loss in 2018
• Anchored the Wolves defense that sat top-10 in opponent third and fourth down conversion percentage

2018 Record: 7-4, 7-4, 5-2 South

USF, which has recorded seven wins or more for the fifth straight year, will look to make a run at the NSIC title with a team heavy on experience and talent. USF, which has earned three NCAA DII playoff berths since 2015, returns nine starters to an offense that led the NSIC total offense and ranked 14th in NCAA DII at 466.5 yards per game. USF will be led by Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, 2019 NSIC Preseason South POY, 2018 NSIC Offensive POY and eight-time All American Gabriel Watson (school-record 1,957 yards and DII best 26 TDs) as the Cougars led the NSIC and ranked fifth nationally with 274.2 yards per game. Senior quarterback Caden Walters (2,033 passing yards, 14 TDs), who led the NSIC in pass efficiency at 155.8, returns as do three starters on the offensive front including All-NSIC guard Nolan Kern . USF will be deep at tight end with All-NSIC senior tight end Clint Sigg (26 receptions, four TDs) back while All-NSIC WR/KR Nate Johnson and Ty Smith lead a deep wide receiver group. Senior All-NSIC (2017) DE Logan Dykstra is among 10 returning starters on the USF defense, which ranked third in the NSIC in scoring defense (19.0 ppg) in 2018. HM All-American, All-NSIC and NSIC Player to Watch DB Hakeem Johnson (25T, six PDs), HM All-NSIC safety Tucker Stout (53T) and Parker Gregston (4 int.) lead the secondary. All-NSIC LB Brody Grantham (70T, 7 TFLs) and HM All-NSIC Harvey (Michael) Enalls (64 tackles) lead the linebacking corps. USF’s opener will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5 at Concordia St. Paul with the home opener at 1 p.m., on Sept. 14 against Winona State at Bob Young Field.

• #33 Gabriel Watson (RB, 6-1, 221, Sr., Piedmont, Calif. / Piedmont HS)
• Led the nation and NSIC with 177.9 yards per game (269 carries, 1,957 yards) and 26 rushing TDs
• Named finalist for Harlon Hill Trophy as a junior by helping USF rank fifth nationally and first in the NSIC with 274.2 rushing yards per game
• Selected to eight All-America teams including three in the 2019 preseason as well as Associated Press, AFCA, D2Football.com, Don Hansen and the D2CCA teams in 2018
• Named 2018 NSIC Offensive Player of the Year, 2019 NSIC Preseason South Player of the Year
• Selected Super Region 4 Player of the Year by the D2CCA and Don Hansen
• Selected one of 32 honor athletes by the NSIC and named USF’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2018
• Rushed for 100 yards or more 11 straight games; over 200 yards three times, and set school record for yards in game with 320 and for season with 1,957
• #6 Hakeem Johnson (DB, 6-3, 189, Jr., Remington, Va. / Liberty HS)
• Named Honorable Mention All-America by Don Hansen
• One of the league’s and DII top cover corners, selected first team All-NSIC in 2018
• Leader on defense that rank 21st in DII and third in the NSIC in scoring
• Recorded an interception, five pass breakups and six passes defended with 25 tackles in 2018

2018 Record: 4-7, 4-7, 1-6 South

The SMSU offense returns it top receiver and leading rusher from last season. Senior wide receiver Daniel Davis caught 79 passes for 1,113 yards and nine touchdowns. A first team all-conference and third team All-American honoree, Davis led the NSIC in both receptions and yards during his first season on the team and had six 100-yard receiving games. Davis’ 1,113 receiving yards ranks fifth in team single-season history. Senior running back Max Simmons rushed for a team-high 543 yards and three touchdowns on 132 carries a season ago. He also caught 27 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. SMSU will have a new signal-caller this fall as three-year starter Blake Gimbel graduated after setting numerous passing records during his tenure. Senior Boyer Bouman will be one of the top candidates to assume the role. In 2017, Bouman started four games in place of an injured Gimbel and finished the season completing 106 of 179 pass attempts for 831 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, SMSU must replace its top two tacklers from last season, but do return four of its top six. Senior cornerback Cory Hollowell is the squad’s leading returning tackler with 64 stops last season. He led the team with 13 pass break-ups and also recorded two interceptions. Junior safety Lucas Fisher led the team with three interceptions and ranked fourth with 53 tackles. Senior safety Peyton Sanders is another returning starter and compiling 43 tackles and five pass break-ups last season.

• #3 Daniel Davis (WR, 5-11, 170, Sr., Tarpon Springs, Fla. Tarpon Springs HS)
• Named first team All-NSIC South in 2018
• Led the NSIC in both receptions and yards
• Named 2018 third team All-American by Don Hanson Football
• Earned second team All-Super Region Four honors by Don Hanson Football
• Led SMSU with 79 receptions for 1,113 yards and nine touchdowns
• Fifth highest receiving total in team single-season history
• Finished the season with six 100-yard receiving games
• #4 Cory Hollowell (CB, 6-2, 194, Sr., Corona, Calif. / Orange Lutheran HS)
• Named second team All-NSIC South in 2018
• Ranked third on the team with 64 tackles last season with a season-high 11 tackles at Sioux Falls
• Tied for second on the squad with 44 solo tackles
• Finished the season with two interceptions with 25 return yards
• Led team with 13 pass break-ups

2018 Record: 7-4, 7-4, 4-3 North

The Huskies are set for another strong season, as they look to improve on their 2018 record of 7-4 overall and 4-3 in NSIC play. Despite losing First Team All-NSIC honorees Sam Hartman and Gregory Lewis to graduation, wide receiver John Solberg (Cambridge, Minn. / Cambridge-Isanti) and quarterback Dwayne Lawhorn (Germantown, Wis. / Germantown) are back for their senior seasons with the Huskies. Fred Mitchell Award finalist Adam Stage (Appleton, Wis. / Kimberly) also returns after back-to-back All-Conference seasons as a freshman and sophomore for St. Cloud State. Defensively, the team returns eight starters, including interior linemen Ferris Ingraham and Skyler Kurt, who both earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2018.

• #9 John Solberg (WR, 6’2, 190, Sr., Cambridge, Minn. / Cambridge HS)
• 2018 First Team All-NSIC: North Division, Wide Receiver; 2x Academic All-Conference honoree
• Recorded a career-high and team leading 848 receiving yards in 2018, with eight touchdowns in 55 receptions… averaged 77.1 yards per game
• Ranked seventh in the NSIC in total receiving yards (848) and receptions per game (5) in 2018, while rankings eighth in yards per game (77.1) and 15th in yards per catch (15.4)
• Caught a career-high three touchdowns in the Huskies win over Upper Iowa on October 20
• #45 Graham Miller (OLB, 6’3, 230, Sr., Minneapolis, Minn. / Washburn HS)
• Concluded 2018 with 31 tackles (14 solo, 17 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks
• Returned a fumble for a touchdown in the Huskies season opener vs. Mary in 2018
• Ranked tenth on the team in total tackles (31) and sixth in assists (17)
• Recorded four solo tackles and two tackles for loss in the Huskies win over Northern State on September 22

2018 Record: 3-8, 3-8, 1-6 South

The Peacock football team will look to bounce back into a winning season in 2019. After posting 6 wins in a season four times from 2013-17, UIU finished the 2018 campaign with a 3-8 mark overall and a 1-6 record against the NSIC South Division. Upper Iowa posted wins against No. 11 Winona State (34-33), (RV) Bemidji State (27-24) and the Minot State (44-9). Four of UIU's losses came by seven points or less including three home defeats against Wayne State (42-35), MSU Moorhead (17-13) and Augustana (48-45). The final close loss for UIU came on the road at Southwest Minnesota State in a 21-20 decision. Five Peacocks were selected to represent Upper Iowa on the All-Northern Sun Conference team including returners Mitchel Siech (LB) and Alex Schneider (OL), who both earned a spot on the honorable mention list. The Peacock offense, which featured the third best pass offense in the NSIC with 258.6 yards/game, will have to overcome the graduation of All-NSIC South Division First Team Quarterback Brent Lammers. The defense will be without graduates and All-NSIC performers Jesse Hynek (DL) and Jordan Rommes (LB). UIU will open the season on the road at Augustana University on Sep. 7 at 1 p.m. The schedule includes six home games featuring battles with Concordia University, St. Paul for Hall of Fame Weekend, Southwest Minnesota State University, Northern State University for Homecoming Weekend, the University of Minnesota Crookston for Salute to Service Day, the University of Sioux Falls and Minnesota State University, Mankato for Senior Day.

• #15 Alex Stevens (WR, 6'2, 200, Jr., Detroit, Mich. / Romulus HS)
• Led the Peacock receiving crew with 56 catches for 808 yards and 6 touchdowns
• Snagged 10 catches at St. Cloud State University for a career-high in receptions
• Tallied 161 yards at home against Wayne State College
• Topped 100 receiving yards in four games
• #37 Mitchel Siech (LB, 6’1, 215, Sr., Denver, Iowa / Denver HS)
• Two-time All-NSIC Honorable Mention
• Registered 74 tackles, fourth on the team, in 2018 including 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks
• Grabbed three interceptions including a pair at Minot State
• One of his picks against the Beavers ended in a 26-yard return for a touchdown

2018 Record: 3-8, 3-8, 2-5 South

Wayne State College is coming off a 3-8 record last season (2-5 NSIC South). The Wildcats return seven starters on offense and eight defensively that include the top three tacklers from last season. Anchoring the defense is senior linebacker Tyler Thomsen, who led the NSIC last season in tackles per game (10.9) on his way to earning Don Hansen Football Gazette Third Team All-American honors. Seniors Ian Ailts (59 tackles) and Kolbie Foster (6.5 sacks/52 tackles) both earned All-NSIC South Honorable Mention last season and bring experience and leadership to a strong Wildcat defense for 2019. Offensively, WSC returns four starters on the offensive line but needs to replace 1,000-yard wide receiver Nate Rogers. South Dakota transfer Andy McCance and sophomore Alex Thramer (seven games last season) will battle for the starting quarterback position. Junior tight end Conner Paxton is the team’s top returning receiver after hauling in 34 receptions for 439 yards and two scores last season to earn All-NSIC Honorable Mention recognition. Wayne native Mason Lee had a standout freshman season with 22 catches for 332 yards in 10 games and tied for third on the team in receiving last season. Special teams look solid with the return of senior placekicker Ethan Knudson and senior returner Aaron Wright, who has kickoff returns for touchdowns each of the last two seasons.

• #86 Conner Paxton (TE, 6’2, 230, Sr., Stuart, Neb. / Stuart HS)
• All-NSIC South Division Honorable Mention last season
• Ranked second on team in receiving with 34 catches for 439 yards and two TD’s
• Had at least one catch in 10 of 11 games
• Made season-high six catches for 97 yards and one TD at SMSU
• #55 Tyler Thomsen (LB, 6’1, 225, Sr., Fremont, Neb. / Archbishop Bergan HS)
• Led NSIC in tackles per game last season (10.9)
• Had 10 or more tackles in eight games last season
• Recorded career-best 15 tackles with one INT for 49 yards in 42-35 win at Upper Iowa
• First Team All-NSIC South Division
• Two All-Region honors and Don Hansen Football Gazette Third Team All-American

2018 Record: 8-3, 8-3, 5-2 South

The Warriors are coming off an 8-3 season in which they narrowly missed a postseason berth. Winona State has won at least eight games in each of the last three years, including a 10-2 record in 2017 when the Warriors hosted an NCAA Playoff game. Two of the Warriors’ three losses last season came to AFCA Top-5 opponents who each reached the NCAA Playoffs. WSU was bitten hard by the injury bug in 2018, losing impact players such as Jake Balliu, Michael Gomez and Nick Pridgeon. The trio of the former All-NSIC performers is expected back this season. Offensively, Owen Burke will be under center once again for his second season as the starting quarterback. The junior ranked fourth in the NSIC in touchdowns (22) and fifth in passing yards (2448) a year ago, and will look to improve upon those numbers with Balliu’s versatile skill set back at his disposal. The duo of Javian Roebuck and Sam Santiago-Lloyd will carry a bulk of the load in the ground game after combining for 1,161 yards and seven touchdowns last year. With the return of Gomez on the defensive line and Pridgeon to the linebacker group, the Warrior defense should once again be one of the best units in not only the conference but in the country. One of the best in Division II in 2017, Winona State ranked ninth in the country in total takeaways (28) last season. Safety Kenneth Sanders had a breakout freshman season and will be flanked at the corners by All-American Isaiah Hall and Cole Monckton.

• #29 Javian Roebuck (RB, 5’11, 212, Sr., Avondale, Ariz. / LaJoya HS)
• 2017 First Team All-NSIC
• Has rushed for over 500 yards in each of the last two seasons
• Averaging 5.8 yards/carry over the last two years
• Has scored 11 total touchdowns over the last two seasons
• #7 Nick Pridgeon (LB, 6’5, 230, Sr., Wauwatosa Wis. / East HS)
• Two-time All-NSIC recipient
• Started two games in 2018 before suffering a season-ending injury
• Recorded 57 tackles (37 solo), 8.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks and 4 INTs in 2017
• Has totaled five INTs, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble over the last two years