GAME OF THE WEEK

Augsburg (2-2, 1-1 MIAC) at St. Thomas (3-1, 1-1), 1:10 p.m., Saturday: This is a crucial game. A second conference loss for either team makes reaching the Division III playoffs improbable. Augsburg was idle last weekend after losing to Gustavus 55-31. St. Thomas, ranked No. 25 in the d3football.com poll, defeated St. Olaf 69-7 last Saturday. Last year, St. Thomas needed a field goal in with 1:21 left to edge the Auggies 17-14.

WEEK 6 STORY LINES

• In the past 10 seasons, only one MIAC team with two conference losses has advanced to the Division III playoffs — Bethel in 2013. Concordia (Moorhead) was 8-2 in 2012 and 2013 but was left out of the 32-team playoff field. St. Thomas was left out of the playoffs last season despite going 8-2.

• After being primarily a kick returner in his first two seasons, Southwest Minnesota State's Tyler Tonderum rushed for a school-record 2,145 yards last season. Tonderum, a preseason Division II All-America this season, has been the focus of opposing defenses. The senior from Armstrong, Iowa, has rushed for only 268 yards in five games.

• Minnesota Duluth, which has won 37 of its past 39 games against NSIC North Division opponents, is making a strong bid for its seventh consecutive Div. II playoff appearance. The Bulldogs' remaining schedule is favorable — only one of the Bulldogs' six opponents has a winning record. On Saturday, the Bulldogs (5-0) play at St. Cloud State (2-3).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Drew Bauer, QB, Minnesota Duluth: The 6-2 sophomore from Eagan became the first player in school history to throw a TD pass, run for a TD and catch a TD pass in the same game in the Bulldogs' 63-28 victory over MSU Moorhead.

Landon Mathis, LB, Bethel: The 6-0 junior from Anoka leads the Royals with 35 tackles (16 solo). Mathis is third in the MIAC with 8.8 tackles per game.

Mathis

BY THE NUMBERS

16 Years since the last time Gustavus opened a season with five consecutive victories.

62 The margin of victory for St. Thomas over St. Olaf on Saturday — the Tommies' biggest since 1914.

95 Yards on a pass by Minnesota-Morris' Caleb McLaren to Tyler Peterson in the Cougars' 28-14 loss to Westminster.

Joel Rippel