Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University football team is set to travel to MSU Moorhead on Saturday for a 12 p.m. match-up against the Dragons.
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live stat, video, and audio links are above or on the schedule at nsuwolves.com

 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Wolves continue their road trip this weekend in Moorhead with a 1-3 record overall and in the NSIC
• Northern is averaging 22.8 points, 138.0 yards rushing, 263.5 yards passing, and 401.5 yards of total offense this season
• They hold conversion rates of 40.4 on third down and 28.6 on fourth down
• The NSU defense has eight sacks through the first four games, as well as three interceptions and five forced fumbles
• Anthony Vespo returned to the field last weekend after suffering an injury in week one; he is averaging 172.5 yards passing per game with a 53.7 pass completion percentage, 345 total yards, and two touchdowns
• Stanley Haskins Jr. leads the rushers with 169 total yards, averaging 7.0 yards per carry and 42.3 yards per game with two touchdowns
• Dewaylon Ingram and Dakota Larson sit one-two on the NSU roster and in the NSIC with 405 and 387 yards receiving respectively; the pair each have three touchdowns in 2023 and combine for nearly 200 yards of total offense per contest
• Charlie Larson had a career game against the Warriors with 15 tackles; he leads the defense with 34.0 tackles and 4.0 tackles for a loss
• Trey King and Luke Gunderson follow with 26.0 and 19.0 tackles respectively
• In the kicking game, Drew Smook is 3-for-4 in field goal attempts with a 43-yard long; Ethan Barnett is averaging 38.2 yards per punt, while Smook and Wade James are averaging 56.5 and 59.5 yards per kickoff

 
MSU MOORHEAD STORYLINES

• Moorhead enters the weekend with a 2-2 record overall and 1-2 mark in the Northern Sun
• The Dragons are averaging 36.0. points, 71.0 yards rushing, 363.5 yards passing, and 434.5 yards of total offense per game, with conversion rates of 48.2 on third down and 53.9 on fourth down
• The Dragon defense has nine sacks and four forced fumble in 2023; they are also holding their opponents to a 29.5 conversion rate on third down
• Jack Strand paces the offense and leads the NSIC averaging 350.8 yards passing per game with 1,403 total yards, 15 touchdowns, and a 69.3 pass completion percentage
• Carter Birrenkott and Gage Florence are the main targets for Strand with 377 and 345 yards respectively this season; combining for eight touchdowns
• Luke Imdieke leads the rushing attack with 133 total yards, averaging 33.3 per game and 6.0 per carry
• Josiah Behm and Jack Bungarden lead the defense with 28.0 tackles apiece, combining for 10.0 tackles for a loss
• Jacob Schroeder is 2-for-2 in field goal attempts with a 31-yard long and is averaging 48.4 yards per kickoff this season
• The Dragons are led by head coach Steve Laqua in his 13th season at the helm

 
LAST MATCH-UP

• The Wolves defeated the Dragons 35-7 from Dacotah Bank Stadium in 2022
• NSU recorded 402 yards of total offense including 252 yards rushing and a rushing score by Haskins Jr. in the win
• The Wolves defense broke a school record holding the Dragons to -78 yards rushing, adding 14.0 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, and one interception
• Northern is 34-25-1 all-time against MSU Moorhead