MANKATO —
The matchup
Minnesota State, which is ranked 18th, and Northern Michigan are both playing their season-opener tonight. The Mavericks are 1-2 in the series, though the teams haven’t met since 1967. Minnesota State was 10-2 last season and won the South Division of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for the second straight season. Northern Michigan finished 6-4 and tied for fourth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference. Minnesota State is 12-10 against members of the GLIAC but lost to Ashland and Hillsdale to end the last two seasons. The Mavericks have won their last five home openers. Minnesota State’s record in 83 seasons of football is 367-367-28.
Pachan is back in Mavs’ offense
Senior quarterback Steve Pachan played in 11 games but started eight, completing 89 of 179 passes for 1,477 yards with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for three touchdowns. His backup is sophomore Will Brogan, a transfer from California (Pa.) University.
Hamilton out
Coach Todd Hoffner said that junior safety Jesse Hamilton will miss tonight’s game, though he didn’t disclose the reason. Hamilton ranked third on the team with 69 tackles and tied a school record with seven interceptions last season. Senior Simon Cholometes, a transfer from Northwoods University in Michigan, is listed as Hamilton’s backup.
Coach’s comments
“We expect (Northern Michigan) to be really good,” Hoffner said. “To go 6-4 in the GLIAC is pretty impressive; that’s a very tough, very physical league. They have a new offensive coordinator so we’re not sure what to expect. If they score early, it’s something we’re not expecting. If they score late, that’s us not making adjustments.”
Scouting Northern Michigan
The Wildcats were 6-4 last season and finished fourth in the GLIAC, but Northern Michigan was selected seventh in the league’s preseason coaches poll. Coach Bernie Anderson is 16-24 in four seasons. The new offensive coordinator is Chris Ostrowsky. Quarterback Carter Kopach passed for 1,373 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. The top returning receiver is Dustin Brancheau with 33 catches. Defensive back D.J. Oke was the leading tackler with 56. He also had two interceptions and four forced fumbles.
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Steve Pachan
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Jesse Hamilton
College Football Gameday: Northern Michigan at Minnesota State
6 p.m., Blakeslee Stadium, 100.5 FM
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