Aberdeen, S.D. - The Northern State University football team will kick-off the 2017 home season tomorrow at 6 p.m. from Swisher Field as the Wolves take on the Wayne State Wildcats in the third annual Insuracrop Ag Bowl. NSU is 2-0 defeating MSU Moorhead and Southwest Minnesota State in the 2015 and 2016 Ag Bowls.
The Northern State University Wolves enter the 2017 season picked ninth overall in the league, and fourth in the NSIC North. The Wolves return six of 13 All-Conference performers from a season ago, including first teamer
Nathan Shaw who was named to the Fred Mitch Award preseason watch list for placekickers. NSU signed their largest class to date in the Dosch-era, with 44 incoming freshman added back in February. All-Conference honorees
Nicholas Truen and
Cody Braeger were named as the 2017 Northern State players to watch. Northern averaged 35.5 points, 210.9 yards rushing, and 207.0 yards passing per game last season. Defensively they held their opponents under a 40 percent conversion rate on third downs and recorded 26 sacks for a total loss of 156 yards.
About the Wildcats
• Wayne State was picked 12th overall and sixth in the South Division in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll.
• Tyler Thomsen (LB) and Zach Osborn (QB) were picked as the Wildcats to watch for the league.
• Thomsen was second on the WSC defense a season ago, racking up 66 total tackles, including 42 solo stops.
• Osborn threw for 2,666 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2016, ranking sixth in the NSIC in total offense and ninth in passing yards per game.
• The Wildcats are led by head coach Dan McLaughlin in his 13th season with the program, where he has tallied a career record of 66-68.
Last Match-Up
• The Wolves fell to the Wildcats 34-27 on the road in 2015.
• Northern led through the first quarter, however a 20 point second quarter and final minutes touchdown in the fourth propelled Wayne to victory.
•
Nicholas Truen and
Cody Kraft each scored touchdowns for NSU.
A Season Ago
• The Wolves went 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the NSIC North Division in 2016.The Wildcats went 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the NSIC South Division last season.
Weather Forecast
• Thursday calls for mostly sunny and clear skies through the afternoon and evening with a high of 75 and low of 50. North winds are expected at 5-10 mph.
#DayByDay
• Each week one Wolf will be named the #DayByDay player to watch for his efforts on the field the previous week. Heading into the season the Wolves chose the team motto of Day By Day.
What's Trending: #NSICFB
- Since the start of fall camp, numerous league teams have suited up for intersquad scrimmages.
- The St. Cloud State football team helped move students into the University dorms.
- The U-Mary Marauders welcomed local elementary students on their first days of school.
- The season officially kicked off with the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll where Minnesota State was picked to top both the league and the NSIC South. Minnesota Duluth was picked as the top team in the North and second in the league overall.
- Max Mickey (USF) and Evan Perrizo (MSU) were picked as the preseason offensive and defensive players of the year in the South Division.
- Jordan Hein (BSU), Damon Gibson (MSUM), and Gunner Olszewski (BSU) were picked as the preseason co-offensive and defensive players of the year in the North Division.
