CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston will head to Minot State University Sat., Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. as they look to snap an eight-game losing streak. Minnesota Crookston is 0-7 (0-3 NSIC North) on the season, while Minot State comes into Saturday's meeting with a 1-6 (0-3 NSIC North) record.

Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Mike Fritze
Record at UMC: 3-37 Season at UMC: Fourth Season

Minot State Beavers
Head Coach: Tyler Hughes
Record at MINOT: 3-26 Season at MINOT: Third Season

Oct. 22, 2016 • Minot, N.D. • Herb Parker Stadium • 1 p.m. 
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Live Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/minotstate/
Live Audio: www.kroxam.com
Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM (Matt Bishop, PXP and Chris Fee, Color/On The Field)

#5StoryLines

1. Can Nathan Cole get the ball to 
Adam Connette and Rod Stewart?

2. Will Andre Person have another breakout game like he did against Minot State in 2015?

3. Can the UMC defense slow down the Minot State pass attack led by Isaiah Weed?

4. Who will make the big play defensively for the Golden Eagles?

5. Can UMC break their winless streak of eight games?

#Don'tCrossHim
UMC redshirt freshman Will Cross has become more comfortable at the middle linebacker position for UMC and it has shown. Cross came away with 18 tackles and 0.5 tackle for loss against the Marauders. His tackles were the most by a UMC player for the 2016 season. He is now No. 5 all-time for single-season tackles in a game.


#TheStandard
After several weeks of anticipation, UMC junior wide receiver Adam Connette has become the new standard to beat for Golden Eagle receivers. Connette shattered a pair of school records on homecoming against U-Mary. With 152 career receptions, Connette has broken Mark Olsonawski's 18-year mark. He also broke Carl Aho's 17-year mark for receiving yards with 1,843 yards. The scary part is Connette still has over a year of football remaining with the Golden Eagles and should distance himself in the record books so his mark is difficult to match for years to come.


#INT
UMC finally came away with their first interception of the season last week after a nice play from Aeric Berner. Jake Newman would follow suit later in the second quarter with one of his own. The UMC defensive backfield has suffered several injuries this season, but they will look to come away with some big turnovers on Saturday against Minot State.


#TheOtherRodStewart
UMC wide receiver Rod Stewart returned to form on Saturday against U-Mary with a 58-yard touchdown reception on a beautiful pass from Nathan Cole. Stewart had battled injuries in recent weeks, but looked strong against the Marauders with four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. The Fort Worth, Texas native will look to continue that trend against Minot State. Stewart has 19 catches for 243 yards and a touchdown this season. So while this Rod Stewart doesn't belt any tunes like "Maggie Mae", he does make great music on the football field with what he can do in the passing game. 


#Tidbits

- The Minnesota Crookston football team suffered a tough loss 26-13 to University of Mary to spoil homecoming at Ed Widseth Field. The Golden Eagles will look to have a repeat of last season after losing to U-Mary, as they responded with a 45-14 win over the Beavers Nov. 7, 2015. That was the last win for the Golden Eagles and they will look to end the nearly year long winless streak on Saturday at Herb Parker Stadium.

- The Golden Eagles had a strong day through the air last Saturday against U-Mary. Nathan Cole (Sr., QB, Aliso Viejo, Calif.) will look to repeat his performance against the Beavers. He will look to new all-time leading UMC receiver Adam Connette to lead the way, along with sophomore Rod Stewart. UMC is averaging 154.0 yards per game through the air this season.

- UMC will look to get the running game going this week against Minot State. Andre Person has struggled to channel last season as he has just 129 carries for 411 yards and two touchdowns this season after his All-NSIC Second Team performance as a junior. Person had 13 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown against the Marauders last season. He had a strong performance against the Beavers last season with 215 yards on 22 carries with four rushing touchdowns. Also look for Shane Curtis and Ty Jochim to possibly see some carries against the Beavers.

- The Golden Eagle defense had just one sack last weekend, but will look to put more pressure on Minot State this weekend. UMC has been led on the year by Bubba Cook and Isaiah Armstrong's 3.5 sacks. Minnesota Crookston has already shattered last year's mark of 12 sacks with 13 on the year. 

- Minnesota Crookston will look to stop the aerial attack for Minot State as they face the opposite style of offense from last week as the Beavers are a pass-first system. Minot State is averaging 225.0 yards through the air this season. They are led by the arm of Isaiah Weed, who has thrown for over 1,200 yards with five touchdown passes and eight interceptions. His top target Akkil Walker, hasn't been starting of late but has been equally effective. Walker has 26 grabs for 489 yards with three touchdowns on the year. Lavante Bushnell comes in with 18 catches for 200 yards on the season.

- On the ground, Minot State is averaging 83.9 yards per game. The Beavers are led by Jarvis Mustipher's 323 yards on the season, while Ben Zahniser has tallied 163 yards on the season.

- Defensively, Minot State has been most susceptible on the rush, giving up 294.1 yards per game to their opponents. They are giving up 463.7 yards per game to their foes this year. UMC will look to exploit their defense on Saturday.