MSU football heads to Sioux Falls for a game against the Cougars
Andrew Neururer
Sports Editor
The Minnesota State Mavericks football team will be taking on the University of Sioux Falls this Saturday on the road.
The 9-0 Mavericks will be coming into Sioux Falls, taking on a red-hot 7-2 Cougars – victorious in their last five games, including a blowout win over Minnesota-Duluth.
Over time, MSU holds a 7-2 record against USF. In 2018, the Mavericks came away with a 31-21 victory and have built a two-game winning streak.
Some players to keep an eye on for USF is their running back, Thuro Reisdorfer. On the season, he has 863 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ja’Tai Jenkins is the other running back on the team that has produced, gaining three touchdowns and 513 yards. The running game of USF is an area of strength for this team.
MSU will have to watch out for dual threat quarterback Caden Walters. This season he has thrown for 1,804 yards, 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He can also pick up yards on the ground, collecting 367 and seven touchdowns.
USF has four receivers with at least 100 yards, but their main attackers are Nate Johnson and Karnell Collier. Johnson has picked up 599 yards and six touchdowns. Collier, on the other hand, is sitting at 495 yards and one touchdown.
MSU’s run game has been better than USF, as senior Nate Gunn has 1,043 yards and 15 touchdowns. Right behind him is redshirt freshman Kaleb Sleezer, who has 499 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior Ryan Schlichte has passed for 953 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He will be joined by junior JD Ekowa, who has 754 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior Shane Zylstra has been the main recipient, gaining 1,049 yards and 12 touchdowns. The next guy up is senior Justin Arnold, as he has seen 326 yards and a touchdown.
The defense has kept teams in check, but they will be going up against one of the better offensive teams they’ve seen this season.
Header photo: Minnesota State quarterback Ryan Schlichte (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Wayne State at the Blakeslee Stadium Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Mankato, Minn. (Mansoor Ahmad/MSU Reporter)