Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University football team is set to open the 2016 season tomorrow from Sioux Falls and Kirkeby-Over Stadium. The Wolves will kick-off against Augustana University at 1 p.m. Along with live audio, webcast, and stats, fans will also be able to view the game live on MidcoSN.
Northern finished 2015 with a 6-5 record overall, and 6-1 record in the NSIC North - winning a share of the North Division Title. The Wolves enter the 2016 opening kick-off with 47 returning letter winners, and 20 returning starters.
Chad Stoterau was named the NSIC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in the North Division. He will also join returning first team All-Conference picks
Conner Doherty,
Channing Barber, and
Tyler Robel. The Wolves were picked to finish sixth in the league and third in the NSIC North in the Preseason Coaches' Poll. NSU was second in the league in fourth down conversions and led the NSIC in red zone defense in 2015.
About the Vikings
• Augustana enters 2016 with 56 returning letter winners and 16 returning starters, after finishing 9-3 a season ago.
• The Vikings made their fourth NCAA Playoff appearance, while earning a share in the NSIC South Division crown.
• Augie was picked to finish second in the league and in the south division in the Preseason Coaches' Poll. Returning quarterback, Trey Heid, was nabbed as the South Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
• Augustana is led by head coach Jerry Olszewski in his fourth season with the program. He has a career record of 51-33 and Augustana record of 19-15.
Last Match-Up
• In 2014, the Wolves fell to the Vikings 17-48 from Swisher Field. NSU is 5-30-1 all-time versus the Vikings.
•
Nicholas Truen was the top rusher in the game with 122 yards and a touchdown.
• Augustana quarterback, Trey Heid passed for 311 yards and four touchdowns.
A Season Ago
• Northern went 6-5 overall and 6-1 in division play in 2015, while Augustana finished 9-3 overall and 6-1 in divisional action.
Weather Forecast
• Saturday is projected as a partly cloudy day with a high of 78 and low of 64 degrees. South winds at 19 mph and a 20 percent chance of rain.
#NSICFB: What's Trending
• Four NSIC teams landed on the D2Football.com preseason rankings in No. 5 Minnesota State, No. 13 Minnesota Duluth, No .20 Sioux Falls, and No.22 Augustana - The Wolves will face Minnesota Duluth and Augustana in league action this season.
• All four teams are also ranked in the AFCA Top-25 in No. 7 Minnesota State, No. 19 Minnesota Duluth, No. 23 Sioux Falls, and No. 25 Augustana.
• Northern State will host Southwest Minnesota State in the NCAA ESPN3 feature game on Sept. 10.
• Minnesota State was picked to win both the league and the south division, while Minnesota Duluth was picked to win the north division.
