Area school update: Saturday's games to watch

By JOEL RIPPEL, Star Tribune

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 12:49 AM

THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES TO WATCH

MSU Mankato (10-0, 9-0 NSIC) at St. Cloud State (6-4, 6-3), 1 p.m. If Minnesota State Mankato -- which is ranked No. 4 in Division II national poll -- wins Saturday, it likely will be the top seed for the regional playoffs, which begin Nov. 14. The Mavericks are averaging 41.3 points per game, having scored at least 30 points in every game this season, and are coming off a 48-17 victory at Upper Iowa. St. Cloud State, which opened the season with three consecutive losses, has won six of its past seven games. The Huskies are coming off a 47-0 victory over Minnesota State Moorhead. Last year, the Mavericks beat St. Cloud State 16-7 in Mankato.

Minn. Duluth (9-1, 9-0 NSIC) at Winona St. (7-3, 6-3), 1 p.m. Minnesota Duluth, ranked No. 6 nationally in D-II and second in the region, brings a 19-game winning streak in NSIC play into the game. The Bulldogs' last conference loss was at Winona State on Nov. 15, 2003. Isaac Odim, who has rushed for 1,511 yards this season, needs 50 yards to break the school's career rushing record of 3,228 yards. The Warriors are coming off a 23-21 victory over Augustana. Greg Preston has passed for 2,404 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Rayon Simmons has rushed for 826 yards and 13 TDs to lead Winona State.

St. Thomas (7-1, 6-1 MIAC) at Bethel (6-2, 5-2), 1 p.m. Both teams can keep their NCAA Division III playoff hopes alive with a victory. The Tommies, ranked No. 13 in the D-III poll, are coming a 42-3 victory over Augsburg in which they had 25 first yards and 519 yards of offense. The Tommies are averaging 40.9 points per game and have been held under 30 points only twice. Bethel has won five of its past six games -- the only loss was a two-point loss to St. John's. The Royals have given up only 117 points in eight games and have given up more than 20 points just twice. St. Thomas beat the Royals in last year's meeting 36-20 at home.

PLAYERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Derrick Engel, Winona State receiver The freshman from Chaska leads the NSIC in yards per reception (26.0). Engel has caught 23 passes for 598 yards and five touchdowns. Engel caught TD passes of 52 and 54 yards in the victory over Augustana.

Fritz Waldvogel, St. Thomas receiver The sophomore has returned the game's opening kickoff for a touchdown in each of the past two weeks, against Carleton and Augsburg. He leads D-III with four return TDs this season.

BY THE NUMBERS

72 Times Minnesota State Mankato and St. Cloud State have played in football since the first meeting in 1923. Since 1978, the teams have played for the "Traveling Training Kit" trophy. St. Cloud State leads the series 38-30-4 going into Saturday's game in St. Cloud.

171 Consecutive MIAC games without the game's opening kickoff being returned for a touchdown, before St. Thomas' Waldvogel has accomplished it in each of the last two games.

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