MSU football looks to end regular season undefeated
Andrew Neururer
Sports Editor
The Minnesota State Mavericks football team will be looking to end their regular season at a perfect 11-0.
MSU will be traveling on the road to take on Upper Iowa ahead of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
This season, the Peacocks are 2-8 and are coming off a 62-0 loss to Wayne State. Upper Iowa won two games in a row in October, but has struggled to get anything going beyond those two games.
MSU has never lost to Upper Iowa, emerging victorious in 13 meetings. The most recent game took place last season, with the Mavericks handling the Peacocks with ease, 47-7.
The Peacocks have primarily used two running backs, those being Levon Bellemy and Matt McDonald. Bellemy has gained 471 yards and four touchdowns and McDonald has 449 yards and three touchdowns.
They’ve also used two quarterbacks, Zach Reader and Myles Herrera logging the most passes. Reader has 697 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. Herrera has 604 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions.
The Peacocks have five receivers with over 100 yards, but Alexander Stevens has been the focal point. He has hauled in eight touchdowns to go along with his 599 yards.
For Minnesota State, senior Nate Gunn will look to have another big week. He’s coming off a 250-plus yard performance and six touchdowns. On the season, he has eclipsed 1,297 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Senior Ryan Schlichte and junior JD Ekowa will be looking to have big games as well. Schlichte has 1,109 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. Ekowa has 764 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception.
Seniors Shane Zylstra and Justin Arnold will most likely be the main targets receiving the ball. Zylstra has the bulk of the receiving production, totaling 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns. Arnold is next in line with 408 yards and one touchdown.
Upper Iowa is averaging just 17.2 points per game, while surrendering 34. On the other hand, MSU has averaged 46.4 points per game and giving up just 11.6.
This game will conclude the regular season on Saturday, with the playoffs right around the corner.
Header photo: Minnesota State quarterback JD Ekowa (7) surveys the field before the snap during a game against Wayne State College at the Blakeslee Stadium Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Mankato Minn. (Mansoor Ahmad/MSU Reporter)