Mustang
FOOTBALL SATURDAY, OCT. 2
A span of playing three of its first four games inside the friendly confines of Elwood Olsen Stadium concludes this afternoon for Morningside University with the Homecoming 2021 game. Head coach Steve Ryan’s Mustangs move into the match-up with Midland University at 3-0 overall and in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The visiting Warriors, coached by Jeff Jamrog, are 3-2 overall and 3-1 in the league.
A FESTIVAL ATMOSPHERE With the annual Taste of Morningside going on later this afternoon beside the Mason Family Tennis Complex adjacent to Olsen Stadium that partners with GPAC football action, a celebratory theme will be in the air for all in attendance. The Pride of Morningside marching band, Mustangs’ cheerleading and dance teams, the 2021 Homecoming court, and members of the M Club Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020-21 are just a few of the areas helping spotlight today’s gridiron clash. Head coach Alisha Knowler’s dance team and Dr. Martin Gaines’ marching band and introduction of the Homecoming court and the M Club Hall of Fame awardees are all part of an action-packed halftime, so be sure to stay in your seats.
THE SERIES Mside has won 16 straight and 21 of 23 all-time against Midland. That skein includes a 42-7 decision in Fremont last fall.
THE MATCH-UP Their last time out, Morningside, ranked No. 3 on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ First Down Playbook Top 25, used a nearly seamless offensive surge early in the second half to ensure another Great Plains Athletic Conference victory Sept. 18 against Mount Marty. The afternoon had the partisan Mside crowd on its feet early. Senior running back Anthony Sims completed seven and eight-play scoring marches the first two times the home team had the ball with scampers of 54 and 10 yards, respectively. Senior return specialist Caleb Schweigart added a lightning strike of his own, dancing and weaving through the Lancers’ punt coverage unit and finding paydirt on a 72-yard scoring return to conclude a 21-point first quarter. MMU kept things at a 7-7 standstill in the second frame. Coming back on to their friendly FieldTurf after the intermission, Morningside’s offense returned to its first-quarter success formula. With senior quarterback Joe Dolincheck finding his talented receiving corps and the backfield tandem of Sims and freshman Ryan Cole, the Mustangs drove 75, 78, and 69 yards for touchdowns. Sims, concluding a monster early fall afternoon, added two more rushing scores as part of a 16-carry, 158-yard, four-touchdown resume. Dolincheck found senior wide receiver Reid Jurgensmeier (Wahoo, Neb.) for the other third-quarter touchdown. While the offense had more highlight-reel-worthy numbers, Morningside’s defense proved nearly impenetrable on the scoreboard, as has been the case over each of the season’s first three weeks. An impressive back-shoulder catch and spin move marked a big play scoring pass for the visitors, as MMU was held to 191 total yards. Senior linebacker Tyler Wingert, the two-time reigning GPAC Defensive
continued on page 6