The Minnesota State University Moorhead football team makes its 2021 home debut on Saturday when it hosts Winona State. Kickoff is at noon at Scheels Field.
Both teams enter the game at 1-0 after winning their Week 1 games.
An MSUM win over Winona State would…
—their fourth win in 10 tries in their home opener under Head Coach Steve Laqua.
–their first home opener win since 2018
–give the Dragons just their second win in last 18 meetings with Warriors
–give the Dragons their first 2-0 start since 2015.
Series History
MSUM leads the all-time series with Winona State 38-35-2. The Warriors have dominated the series since 1997, winning 16 of the last 17 meetings. MSUM’s last win came in 2015, when the Dragons christened the new turf at Scheels Field with a 42-17 win.
Previous five meetings:
2019: Winona State 28, MSU Moorhead 26 (in Moorhead)
2017: Winona State 42, MSU Moorhead (in Winona)
2015: MSUM 42, Winona State 17 (in Moorhead)
2013: Winona State 65, MSU Moorhead 21 (in Winona)
2011: Winona State 48, MSUM 10 (in Moorhead)
About MSUM
MSUM opened the 2021 season with a 33-21 win over Southwest Minnesota State on Sept. 2. The Dragons led 14-7 at halftime.
Freshman quarterback Tommy Falk was 19-of-21 for 285 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore receiver Ryan Bieberdorf caught six passes for 120 yards and a touchdown while senior receiver Grady Bresnahan had eight catches for 118 yards and two scores.
Sophomore running back Jaydin McNeal rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
The Dragon defense forced four turnovers in the game, including recording three interceptions. Senior defensive tackle Jordan Magnuson had seven tackles, including two for loss, and a fumble recovery. Sophomore defensive back Jared Kallenbach, sophomore defensive back Jake Bettcher and senior defensive end Darius Woods-Steichen each intercepted a pass.
MSUM outgained the Mustangs 404-257, including 285-119 through the air.
About Winona State
The Warriors dominated Concordia-St. Paul, 47-6 to open the season on Sept. 2.
Javian Roebuck rushed for 135 yards and three scores to lead the offense while quarterback Owen Burke threw for 233 yards and two scores. Jake Balliu and Ethan Wittenburg hauled in touchdown passes.
Clay Schueffner had eight tackles and a sack to lead the Warrior defense.
Winona State outgained CSP 509-187 in the contest.
More about the Dragons
Falk Nearly Flawless
Freshman quarterback Tommy Falk made his first collegiate start for MSUM against SMSU and had a teriffic debut. He went 19-of-21 for 285 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions in the win.
Bresnahan’s Back
Senior Grady Bresnahan returns after leading the Dragons in receptions in 2018 and 2019. Bresnahan was All-NSIC North First Team in 2019 after earning second-team honors in 2018. Bresnahan is fifth all-time in receptions at MSUM at 181 after catching eight passes in the opening win.
Home Openers
MSUM is 3-6 in home openers under Head Coach Steve Laqua, including a loss to Minnesota Duluth in 2019. The Dragons’ last home opening win came in 2018 against Minnesota Crookston.
Week 2 Under Laqua
MSUM is 1-8 in Week 2 games under Laqua. In 2011, MSUM lost to Winona State, 48-10 and lost to Sioux Falls, 45-10 in 2012. In 2013, at Nemzek Stadium, in a game-long downpour, the Dragons lost to Southwest Minnesota State, 27-20. In 2014 MSUM lost to No. 4-ranked Minnesota State, 69-13 at home. MSUM got its first Week 2 win under Laqua with a thrilling 30-28 last-second win over Concordia-St. Paul in 2015. In 2016 MSUM lost at nationally-ranked Sioux Falls, 42-21. In 2017 it was a 51-35 home loss to SMSU followed by back-to-back losses to nationally-ranked Minnesota Duluth.
*Courtesy Tom Berg, MSUM Athletics