Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University football team will welcome No. 3 Minnesota State tomorrow for the 105^th Gypsy Days game. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from Swisher Field. For a full list of Gypsy Days activities click HERE.
 
QUICK HITS ON THE NORTHERN STATE WOLVES
                • Northern enters the Gypsy Days game on a 2-game win streak versus St. Cloud State and Upper Iowa on the road
                • The Wolves are averaging 16.4 points, 155.4 yards rushing, 198.8 yards passing, and 354.2 yards of total offense per game this season
                • NSU ranks in the top-8 of the NSIC in scoring defense, total offense, total defense, rushing offense, rushing defense, passing offense, passing defense, kickoff returns, kickoff coverage, interceptions, first downs per game, opponent third down conversions, opponent fourth down conversions, and fewest penalties
                • Isaiah Cherrier leads the Wolves rushing attack with 403 total yards this season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and 80.6 yards per game; after a 2-touchdown game versus Upper Iowa, Cherrier now has three scores this season
                • Dakota Larson sits atop the receiving front with 308 total yards, averaging 12.3 yards per reception and 61.6 yards per game with one touchdown
                • Hunter Trautman has thrown for 980 total yards this season with a 53.3 pass completion percentage; he is averaging 196.0 yards passing per game, as well as 13.4 yards rushing
                • Payton Eue is taken on a majority of the kicking duties for the Wolves, averaging 33.4 yards per punt and 56.7 yards per kickoff
                • Six Wolves have over 20 tackles thus far in 2019, lead by senior Preston Droessler with 26, including 2.0 tackles for a loss; Droessler also has one interception and one forced fumble
                • Chance Olson and Brayden McNeary follow with 25 and 24 tackles respectively, each recording 1.5 tackles for a loss; Olson leads the secondary with five passes defended this season
 
MATCHING UP WITH THE #3 MAVERICKS
                • Minnesota State enters the weekend with a 5-0 record overall and No. 3 ranking in this week's AFCA Top-25 Poll
                • The Mavericks have tallied wins over Southwest Minnesota State, Augustana, Concordia-St. Paul, Winona State, and Minnesota Duluth; out-scoring their opponents on average by 24.0 points per game
                • MSU is averaging 33.2 points, 277.4 yards rushing, 200.2 yards passing, and 477.6 yards of total offense this season
                • Minnesota State boast a roster of numerous Division I transfer student-athletes
                • They currently lead the NSIC in scoring defense, total offense, rushing offense, rushing defense, sacks by, first downs, and opponent fourth down conversions
                • In addition, the Mavericks sit top-5 in the country in rushing defense and scoring defense
                • Nate Gunn leads the MSU backs with 736 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season; he is averaging 6.6 yards per carry and 147.2 yards per game
                • Shane Zylstra is the leading receiver for the Mavericks with 533 yards and six touchdowns on the year; he is averaging 21.3 yards per reception and 106.6 yards per game
                • Ryan Schlichte and JD Ekowa have each seen time at quarterback in all five games this season, with Schlichte listed as the MSU starter
                • Schlichte is averaging 94.0 yards per game with five touchdowns and 470 total yards, while Ekowa is averaging 95.0 yards per game with three touchdowns and 475 total yards
                • Zach Robertson leads the defense with 34 total tackles this season, including 8.0 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks
                • Jack Leius is second on the team with 29 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for a loss and a team second best five passes defended
                • Cole Schroedermeier leads the team with three interceptions and has 22 total tackles
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                • The Wolves fell to the Mavericks 36-0 on the road back in 2017
                • Northern recorded 216 yards of total offense to Minnesota State's 412
                • NSU is 1-8 all-time versus Minnesota State with their lone victory coming back in 1971 (16-14)
 
A SEASON AGO
                • Northern State went 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the NSIC North a season ago, while the Mavericks went 13-1 on the year and 7-0 in the NSIC South
 
WEATHER REPORT
                • Saturday calls for occasional snow showers with a high of 34 and WNW winds at 20-30 mph