THIS WEEK
Homecoming '23 and The Battle for the Big Lake trophy combine forces for an exciting week of football at the University of Mary. The Marauders host Highway 83 rival Minot State University in Northern Sun action on Saturday, October 28. Kickoff is slated for 12 noon at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
  
THE RECORDS/LAST WEEK
The Marauders (0-8 overall/NSIC) dropped a 44-34 loss to #13 Davenport University… The Beavers are (1-7 overall/NSIC) lost a 42-7 decision at home to the University of Minnesota Duluth.  
 
FOLLOW LIVE

• Voice of the Marauders Jesse Rostvedt and former UMary athletic director and Hall of Fame football coach Roger Thomas team up to broadcast Marauders games on KFYR 550 AM. The game is also streamed online at www.kfyr.com.
• Free video streaming of Marauders home and all Northern Sun games is available at https://nsicnetwork.com/goumary and at www.GoUMary.com/coverage 
• Live stats for Saturday's games are available online at www.GoUMary.com/coverage

 
HOMECOMING '23 GAME SPONSOR US BANK OFFERS COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS
The Battle for the Big Lake Homecoming game is sponsored by US Bank, which is proving complimentary tickets Marauders fans. A limited number of tickets are available at the US Bank downtown branch located at 200 N. 3rd Street in Bismarck, ND.
 
MARAUDERS LUNCHEON SET FOR HOMECOMING FRIDAY
A Marauders Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, October 27. All UMary fans are welcome to attend the event and hear about all the latest happenings in Marauders athletics from our coaches, scholar-athletes and staff. The Marauders Luncheon starts at 11:45 am and concludes at 1 pm in Chick's Place inside the University of Mary Lumen Vitae University Center. Cost for the luncheon meal is $20. The meal is complimentary to Marauders Armada members at the Lieutenant level and above. To RSVP CLICK HERE or contact Associate Athletic Director for Mission Marcus Wagner at mpwagner@umary.edu or 701-355-5170.
 
FOOTBALL GAME DAY LINEUP VS. MINOT STATE
9 AM | Tailgating in the Prairie Farms Dairy Marauders Alley officially starts at 9 am in the North Parking Lot of the MDU Resources Community Bowl. Laughing Sun Brewing will have food for purchase in the tailgate area.
 
10 AM | Marauders football team arrives in the Prairie Farms Dairy Marauders Alley to greet the fans.
 
11 AM | Gates to the MDU Resources Community Bowl open to the public. Purchase tickets online for a reduced rate at www.UMaryTickets.com
 
11 AM | UMary swimming competes with Northern State across the parking lot at the BSC Aquatic and Fitness Center. Admission is free.
 
11 AM | The Laughing Sun Brewing Marauders Bay beer garden inside the MDU Resources Community Bowl. Adults are welcome in the Marauders Bay and can enjoy a Laughing Sun Brewing beverage while watching the Marauders until the end of the third quarter.
 
12 NOON | KICKOFF
The Marauders-Beavers football game kicks off at 12 noon.
 
For the full list of 2023 University of Mary Homecoming 2023 visit www.umary.edu/homecoming
 
BATTLE OF THE BIG LAKE
This is the 10th annual "Battle of the Big Lake" travelling trophy game between the University of Mary and Minot State University. It is also the 31^st meeting between the two programs, which is the most times the Marauders have faced any single opponent. The series began in 1988 when UMary joined the North Dakota College Athletic Conference. The series went on a hiatus when the Marauders moved to NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun in 2006. After a seven-year break following the 2005 contest, the two schools resumed the series in 2012 when Minot State was admitted into the Northern Sun.
 
BIG LAKE TROPHY
The Marauders won the first two "Battle of the Big Lake" travelling trophy games;  45-10 at home in 2013 and 31-29 on the road in (2014). The Beavers claimed the trophy for the first time in 2015 with a 15-9 overtime road win... UMary last won the Big Lake Trophy 49-31 in 2021 as Logan Nelson threw for 372 yards and 4 TDs, Dave Small Jr. ran for 99 yards and 1 TD, Luke Little caught 4 passes for 156 yards and 3 TDs and Danny Kittner had 10 catches for 107 yards… MSU leads the Big Lake Trophy series 6-3.
 
TWO TRAVELING TROPHIES
The Marauders play two games annually for travelling trophies. UMary is a combined 11-14 in trophy games. The Marauders are 8-8 in the "Battle for the Paddle" with MSU Moorhead and 3-6 in the "Battle for the Big Lake" against Minot State.
 
MARAUDERS-BEAVERS SERIES HISTORY

• This is the 31^st meeting between the only two NCAA Division II athletic programs in the state
• UMary has played Minot State 30 times, more than any other school
• The series began in 1988 when Mary joined the North Dakota College Athletic Conference
• The series went on hiatus in 2006 when the Marauders moved to NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun. After a seven-year break following the 2005 contest, the two schools resumed the series in 2012 when Minot State was admitted into the Northern Sun.
• Minot State leads the series 17-13
• UMary has won the only two playoff meetings (31-20 in 1993, 21-18 in 2002)
• The Marauders last defeated the Beavers 49-31 in 2021 as Logan Nelson threw for 372 yards and 4 TDs, Dave Small Jr. ran for 99 yards and 1 TD, Luke Little caught 4 passes for 156 yards and 3 TDs and Danny Kittner had 10 catches for 107 yards

 
QUICK HITTERS

• It is 118 miles between the University of Mary and the Minot State University campus without a single turn needed along the way until you arrive on campus
• The Marauders and Beavers are the only two NCAA Division II programs in North Dakota
• The drive between Minot and Bismarck is the shortest trip Northern Sun trip for NSIC foes UMary and Minot State
• This is the second straight home game for the Marauders
• UMary's first eight opponents have a current combined record of 41-21, a winning percentage of .661. The Marauders schedule ranks the 4^th most difficult in the nation. In the current AFCA poll UMary has played #11 Davenport, #12 Augustana, #16 Bemidji State and #25 Minnesota Duluth.   
• UMary is playing six home games for the second straight season
• The Marauders have started six freshmen and redshirt freshmen on offense (RB Andrew Trandahl, RB Jeremiah Moore, OL Elliot Kooiker, TE/OL Henri Supenski, WR Karsyn Jabonski, WR Sean Saise) and two redshirt freshmen on defense (S Abram Jopp and DL Christian Arteaga)

 
TURNOVER TALES

• UMary has won the turnover battle three times, lost three times and was even twice (CSP, Davenport)
• The Marauders are slightly underwater for turnovers this season at a -1. The Marauders have forced eight turnovers (6 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions) and have committed nine (5 interceptions, 4 fumbles)
• UMary is 24^th in the nation and 2^nd in the NSIC for fewest turnovers committed (9)

 
(NEARLY) PENALTY FREE

• The Marauders opponents are being whistled for 76.9 yards of penalties/game, the most in the Northern Sun. UMary is called for 44.9 yards/game, the 5^th fewest in the league.
• One of the least penalized teams in the nation, the Marauders rank 15^th in NCAA Division II in fewest penalties/game (4.75) and 8^th in fewest penalty yards/game (44.9)

 
STAT CITY

• Mujeeb Rufai ranks 14^th in NCAA D2 in receptions/game (6.6). He is 80^th in receiving yards/game (62.6).
• Jason Stoddard is 1^st in the country in fumble recoveries (3) and 21^st in forced fumbles (2)
• Jaxon Feller ranks 9^th in NCAA in combined kick return yards (525)
• Kevin Powell is 42^nd in punting (39.3 yards/punt)
• Kevin Powell is 10^th in field goal percentage (.880)
• Traivon Dyson is 45^th in receiving TDs (5)
• The Marauders are converting 56.3% of their 4th down attempts (9-of-16) to rank 5^th in the NSIC

 
WEEK 7 REWIND | UMary 34 vs. #16 Davenport 44

• This was the Marauders 1^st nonconference game since the opening week of 2011
• UMary posted a season-best 356 yards of offense against Davenport, 100 yards more than the Panthers allow on average. Davenport is 12^th in NCAA D2 in total defense, allowing 251 yards/game.
• The Marauders had a 20-18 edge in 1^st downs, the first time UMary had more 1^st downs than the opposition
• Defense held Davenport to a 3-for-12 effort on 3^rd downs
• Marauders were 6-for-6 on scoring in the red zone
• Sofian Massoud compiled a season-high 313 yards of offense, throwing for 267 and 3 TDs and running for 46 yards and a score
• Traivon Dyson caught 8 passes for 80 yards and a TD
• Andrew Trandahl caught 5 passes for 61 yards
• Mujeeb Rufai had 5 catches for 53 yards
• Jaxon Young caught 6 passes for 43 yards and 1 TD
• Sean Saise caught his 1^st collegiate TD (13 yards) in the 4^th quarter and caught 2 balls for 18 yards
• Grant Collins had 2 tackles for loss
• Vegas George had a sack
• Kevin Powell was 2-for-2 on field goals (26, 29), made two extra point kicks, and averaged 44 yards on 6 punts, placing 2 inside the 20 with a long of 66
• Myren Harris ran for 139 yards on 14 carries to become the Panthers all-time leading rusher

 
YOUTH
The Marauders have played more youth as the season has progressed, with as many as a combined 11 freshmen or redshirt freshman on the field playing either offense or defense. Eight freshmen/redshirt freshmen have started at least one game this season.  
 
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
The Marauders offensive line has had their depth challenged the last four weeks. Sr. Liam Bannon made his fourth straight start at center after making his debut against Winona State. R-Fr. Ethan Kooiker has started the last three. Jr. Luke Tuala made his first start of the season against Winona State at guard and has also played guard and tackle the last three weeks with starts at guard. Freshmen OL/TE Henri Supenski has also started this season at tight end and the last two weeks at right tackle.
 
CAUGHT
Mujeeb Rufai has made an immediate impact in the Marauders passing game. A transfer from the University of Idaho, the junior from Portland, OR, has 53 catches for 501 yards and two TDs. He had a spectacular 1-handed TD catch at Augie in the opener. Rufai had 12 catches for 88 yards in his home debut against Sioux Falls. In his next home game he added another nine catches for 60 yards against Bemidji State. At CSP he caught nine passes for the second straight week for a season-best 120 yards and a TD.
 
SACKED
LB Mason Phillips ranks 14th in the NSIC in sacks with 3.0. He posted two against Sioux Falls – including one resulting in a recovered fumble – and had one against Bemidji State. The sophomore also posted a pair of sacks last season and has 5.0 for his career. Phillips is tied for the team lead with Grant Collins with 4.5 tackles for loss among his 32 stops (17 solo).  
 
SCORE
Traivon Dyson is the team leader in touchdowns with five. He caught a pair of touchdown passes in the Marauders home opener against the Cougars when the sophomore from Las Vegas, NV, hauled in a career-best six catches for 88 yards. In seven games Dyson has 28 catches for 331 yards and five TDs. As a freshman in 2022 he caught three passes for 40 yards and a TD.
 
BOOM
Kevin Powell is averaging a career-best 39.1 yards/punt on 45 attempts, which ranks 42^nd in NCAA Division II. The junior's previous top average was 35.3 last season. He has a career-best 70 yarder against Winona State this season. With six punts over 50 yards this year in eight games he has more than doubled his career total. Powell also has dropped 12 punts inside the 20 yard line… After a 2-for-2 effort against Davenport, he is 7-for-8 on field goals, a career-high for makes. His 88% conversion rate on field goals ranks 10^th in the country… Doing a little of everything against Bemidji State, Powell made a field goal and an extra point, punted 8 times for a 33.1 yard average, had a tackle and threw a 25 yard competed pass to convert on a 4th down.
 
FAMILY MATTERS
Ryan Woroniecki's older brother Adam also played football for the Marauders… Cameron Brusven and Karsyn Jablonski are 2nd generation Marauders as both of their father's played at UMary played football for the Marauders.
 
CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN
Seniors Drake Lalim and Ryan Woroniecki are the 2023 team captains. Lalim is entering his 4th year starting at left tackle for UMary and is a native of Saint Stephen, Minn. A linebacker, Woroniecki hails from Hebron, ND, and competed for Richardton-Taylor HS… The Marauders will also select two scholar-athletes to serve as gameday captains each week.
 
2023 NUMBERS

• 39 Senior captain and left tackle Drake Lalim has started 39 straight games for the Marauders since moving into the lineup the third game of his freshman season in 2019 and has played in 41 straight games
• 33 Senior guard Conner Paul has started 33 games in his Marauders career. His string of 28 straight was interrupted by injury late last season.  
• 28 Junior OL Melvin Hudson had started 28 straight games at right tackle before his string was snapped at UMD
• K/P Kevin Powell has played in 30 straight games for the Marauders with Jakob Petry (29) close behind.
• 11 Marauders made their starting debuts for UMary in the opener at Augustana, including seven on defense
• 6 starters made their Marauers debut against Augustana, including a pair of true freshmen – RB Andrew Trandahl and OL/TE Henri Supenski
• 30 Marauders saw their first-ever action at UMary in the opener, including seven true freshmen and 10 redshirt freshmen
• 50 Marauders return from last season
• 16 returners have started one or more games for UMary and 32 have taken to the field for the Marauders
• 9 seniors, 19 juniors, 15 sophomores, 17 redshirt freshmen and 31 true freshmen

 
NSIC CHANGES
In 2023, Northern Sun football will consist of 13 teams with each team playing 10 conference games over an 11-week schedule. The NSIC will award an overall champion based on win percentage over the 10 NSIC contests. Ties will not be broken for the overall champions. This is the first time since 2010 NSIC teams will not play 11 conference contests. There are no North or South divisions for the first time since 2007, the first season the Marauders officially competed in the NSIC… The Marauders will take advantage of the open weekend in the conference schedule to host Davenport University in a nonconference contest on October 21, providing the Marauders six home dates with five road games in 2023.
 
LALIM NAMED MARAUDERS NSIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER TO WATCH
A senior from Saint Stephen, MN, Drake Lalim has anchored the Marauders offensive line at left tackle since he was a true freshman. After serving as a reserve his first two collegiate games, he moved into a starting role in his third game and has started 32 straight games for the Marauders. Lalim, a team captain since his sophomore year, earned All-NSIC honorable mention selection as freshman in 2019 and protected the Marauders quarterback's blind side as UMary led the nation in passing in 2021. He is also an NSIC all-academic team member.
 
COLLINS NAMED MARAUDERS NSIC DEFENSIVE PLAYER TO WATCH
Grant Collins moved into a starting spot on the defensive line last season as a sophomore after playing a key role on the line as a redshirt freshman in 2021. Now a junior, he native of Peoria, AZ, started all 11 games in 2022 and recorded 24 tackles. He had 2.5 tackles for loss – including a sack – and recovered a fumble. An NSIC All-Academic Team selection last fall, Collins set a career-high for tackles with five in the Marauders home win in overtime against Northern State.
 
MARAUDERS FOOTBALL QUICK FACTS
History | 35th varsity season (JV season 1987, varsity 1988)
Record - overall (through 2022) | 189-172-1
Record - conference | 130-137
Record - postseason | 6-10
Playoff appearances | 9 (1993, '95, '96, '98, '99, '00, 01, '02, '03)
Conference Titles | 7 (1992, '96, '98, '99, '01, '02, '04)
Home Field (capacity) | MDU Resources Community Bowl (7,000)
Surface | FieldTurf
 
FOOTBALL STAFF
Head Coach | Shann Schillinger, 1st year (Montana, '10)
Offensive Coordinator | David Schramm, 1st year (San Diego State, '88)
Defensive Coordinator | Ben Davis, 9th year (MacMurray, '11)
Offensive Line | Mark Martin, 5th season (St. Cloud St., '01)
Wide Receivers | Jack Neuheisel, 1st year
Special Teams/Safeties | Van Cooper, 1st year (Montana, '07)
Tight Ends | Tom Johnson, 2nd year (University of Mary, '17)
Running Backs | Markell Pete, 1st year (Dickinson State University, '13)
Secondary | Jayden Dawson, 1st year (Montana, '23)
 
Head Athletic Trainer | Ray Hall
Equipment Manager | Wayne Norman
Chaplain | Father Jarad Wolf
 
SHANN SCHILLINGER – YEAR 1 LEADING THE MARAUDERS
Former NFL player and Baker, MT, native Shann Schillinger leads the Marauders onto the field for the first time in front of the home fans on Saturday when UMary hosts the University of Sioux Falls in week two of the 2023 season. A former star at the University of Montana and the 8th head coach in UMary program history, Schillinger has coached in both the NCAA Division I Big Ten and Big Sky conferences and is a Montana Football Hall of Fame inductee.
 
Winning is a common theme throughout Schillinger's career. Between high school and college Schillinger's teams posted 100 victories and only seven defeats. A team captain, Schillinger won three state titles during his four years at Baker HS (2001-04) as quarterback and defensive back while coached by his uncle Don Schillinger, one of the winningest prep coaches in Montana history.
 
Dubbed "the fastest man from Baker, MT," his accolades made him a highly recruited college prospect before signing on with the Grizzlies as a safety. Schillinger helped lead the Grizzlies to two Football Championship Series (FCS) title games while also earning All-Big Sky Conference honors. Twice he was honored with the Tony Barbour Award, given annually to the "player who best exemplifies outstanding practice habits and makes an unselfish contribution to the betterment of the Grizzly football team." He ranks among the best in Montana history with 257 career takedowns and 11 career interceptions.
 
After a star-studded career with the University of Montana Grizzlies, NFL fans heard Schillinger's name called on national TV by the Atlanta Falcons in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Drafted as the 171st overall pick, Schillinger played four years in the NFL as a safety from 2010 to 2013 with the Falcons and Tennessee Titans.
 
Schillinger's full-time coaching career began after the NFL in 2015 as a special teams and defensive backs assistant for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. He returned to his alma mater in Missoula to coach special teams and safeties from 2016 to 2021 and served as the team's pro scout liaison.
 
2022 REWIND

• All-NSIC performers WR Danny Kittner, Logan Nelson and Dave Small Jr. wrapped up impressive carers with the Marauders at the end of the 2022 season.
• Kittner, Small and Ty'Rhae Gibson earned All-NSIC honors
• All-American WR Danny Kittner shattered NSIC and Marauders career records for receptions (291) and receiving yards (3,651) while catching 29 receiving touchdowns. He is 4th all-time in school history in receiving touchdowns (29) and 3rd in total touchdowns (31)… He had 90 catches for 986 yards and 5 TDs in 2022.
• All-American QB Logan Nelson passed for 6,417 yards and 62 touchdowns in his career at UMary, completing 60.0% of his passes (499-of-825) with just 26 interceptions. He is 3rd all-time at UMary in passing yards and TD passes. In 2021 he triggered the Marauders passing attack that led the nation in yards passing/game.
• Kittner (Bears) and Nelson (Vikings) both earned NFL Rookie Camp invitations in May 2023
• The Marauders played eight teams with winning records at game time
• Marauders opponents had a winning percentage over .550 for the year
• 7 of 11 Marauders games in 2022 were one possession games, including 6 of 9 losses
• During the 2021-22 seasons UMary played ten contests decided by one possession (8 or fewer points)
• UMary owned second half leads in losses to Wayne State, Winona State, #23 Minnesota State, #14 Sioux Falls and MSU Moorhead. Wayne State scored the winning touchdown with 1:46 left in the game and Minnesota State with 1:57 remaining.

 
2023 MARAUDERS FOOTBALL TICKETING FAQs

• Tickets are $20 at the gate (cash only) and $15 (plus fees) online
• Tickets purchased online at www.UMaryTickets.com or via the HomeTown Fan app (iOS and Android) receive a $5 discount (minus fees) per ticket vs. cash purchases at the gate
• Tickets purchased at the gate are CASH ONLY transactions
• ATMs are located near the main ticketing gates for Marauders home games
• Debit and credit card purchases are ONLINE ONLY at www.umarytickets.com or via the HomeTown Fan App
• UMary students and faculty and staff with their MCard are admitted FREE
• Youth 12 and younger with an adult are admitted FREE
• Any youth 12 and under unaccompanied by an adult are charged a $5 admission fee at the gate (cash only)
• All ticket sales are FINAL at time of purchase, whether online or at the gate

 
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