Game Notes (PDF)

Setting the Stage: Southwest Minnesota State University returns to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on Saturday, Sept. 12 hosting defending NCAA champion and No. 9-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth for the annual Shrine Game and Military Appreciation Day.  Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Mattke Field at the Regional Event Center.  It's UMD's first visit to Marshall since the 2002 season and the game also marks the first time ever SMSU has played a team ranked in the Top 10 of NCAA Division II.
    SMSU is 2-0 on the season, 1-0 NSIC, after recording victories over Minnesota, Crookston (48-10) in the season opener and Black Hills State (55-10) on Sept. 5. 
    UMD, 1-1 overall, 1-0 NSIC, won its opening game of the season versus Concordia (55-0), but saw its 17-game winning streak snapped on Sept. 3 at home to No. 9 Central Washington 13-10.  It was the Bulldogs' first loss since Oct. 27, 2007.  After finishing 4-6 in 2007, UMD recorded a perfect 15-0 season in 2008, earning the program's first-ever NCAA championship.

Shrine Game/Military Appreciation Game: Saturday night's game is the annual Shrine Game and is also Military Appreciation Day.  All military personnel – active, retired or reserve – will receive a free ticket to the game with valid identification or proof of service.