Air Raid: Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons Football 2024

[IceBoxDragon]

Well, after an absolute roller coaster of a campaign, the final game of the season is here. Crazy how fast this season seamed to go, with plenty of highs and lows.

Now I'm hoping the team can end on a high. It's a chance to keep a rivalry trophy and clinch a winning record. It may not seem like much in a grander scheme, but 6-5 feels a whole lot better than 5-6. Especially since it would mark back-to-back winning seasons.

The Dragons last did that in 2018-2019, before sliding back after the pandemic year off. Getting back to a status with consecutive winning records would certainly be a positive. Hopefully the team is ready to play. Minot State and Concordia are on the lower end of the standings, too, but they were on the road and those teams gave the Dragons a hell of a fight. Have to expect Mary is going to throw everything they've got to get the Paddle back and end the season on a high note.

[IceBoxDragon]

Happy to get the win yesterday, keep the Paddle in Moorhead and clinch another winning season. I think there's certainly a feeling this team could have snagged another win or two, especially against McKendree. There were a lot of narrow victories, though, so I guess it evens out.

This marks the sixth winning season for the Dragons in the last decade, Vs. four losing records. That's definitely a positive, as there was just one winning season from 2000-2013. Overall record for the Dragons since 2014 is 58-53. I think it's fair to say that the ship looks like it's been righted, next step now is the playoffs, especially since it's the only post-season option with no more Mineral Water Bowl.

Here’s a list of some notable players who will be juniors and seniors on next year’s team. Listed is their 2025 class, position and career stats

• Jr. Grant Warkenthien, QB, 72 yards
• Jr. Madden Thorson, WR, 1,479 yards, 8 TDs
• Jr. Gavin Jarchow, DB, 50 Solo Tackles, 6 PD, 1 FF
• Jr. Kennan Stowers, DB, 40 Solo Tackles, 4 PD, 1 INT
• Jr. Evan Miles, DB, 8 Solo Tackles, 1 PD, 1 INT
• Jr. Devin Beach, LB, 10 Solo Tackles, 2 PD
• Jr. Denver Piechowski, DL, 8 Solo tackles, 3 Sacks, 1 PD, 2 FF
• Jr. Ashton Sayre, DL, 12 Solo tackles, 1 Sack, 1 FR
• Sr. Brady Perryman, WR, 1,790 yards, 26 TDs
• Sr. Carter Birrenkott, WR, 1,046 yards, 10 TDs
• Sr. Gage Florence, WR, 2,797 yards, 17 TDs
• Sr. Carson Elbert, WR, 533 yards, 6 TDs
• Sr. Jack Strand, QB, 9,615, 84 TDs
• Sr. Cyrinus George, DB, 16 Solo Tackles, 3 CDs, 1 FF
• Sr. Adam Kallenbach, DB, 42 Solo Tackles, 3 INTs, 11 IDs, 1 FF
• Sr. Caleb Munger, DB, 16 Solo Tackles, 4 PDs
• Sr. McKale Pierson, DB, 66 Solo Tackles, 1 INT, 16 PDs, 2 FF, 1 FR
• Sr. Tate Gustafson, LB, 61 Solo Tackles, 3 INTs, 4 IDs, 1 FF
• Sr. Mitchell Jezierski, LB, 56 Solo Tackles, 1 Sack, 3 CDs, 1 FF
• Sr. Jacob Brosius, LB, 13 Solo Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 1 INT, 1 PD
• Sr. Andrew Spandiary, DL, 13 Solo Tackles, 3 Sacks
• Sr. Jaiden Chrisman, DL, 8 Solo Tackles, 1 PD

They also have a reliable kicker who will be a sophomore next season. Max Watson was 32-35 on PATs and 8-11 on Field Goals.

RB Flynn Ridgeway will also be back as a (RS) sophomore. He has a total of 233 rushing yards and 3 TDs, as well as 247 receiving yards and 2 TDs. Hopefully he can help the Dragons establish more of a running game in 2025.

[IceBoxDragon]

Jack Strand confirms after some speculation: He's staying in Moorhead. Story from the Fargo-Moorhead Forum - 'Wouldn't want to be anywhere else': Record-setting QB Jack Strand staying put with the Dragons

“I don’t pay a ton of attention to it," Strand said of the portal. "I’ve never had any thoughts of it because being here, being in the position I’m in, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Strand holds every major career passing record for the Dragons, including pass yards (9,615), completions (944), pass attempts (1,470) and passing touchdowns (84). He's played 31 games for MSUM over his first three seasons.

“Being able to throw the ball as much as we do, I always say it's a quarterback’s dream," Strand said. “It’s really fun.”

Strand said wanting to stay with the Dragons goes beyond the numbers. He also likes the culture head coach Steve Laqua has built in the program.

“We talk about Dragon love all the time and I think it fits with my morals and the morals from everybody else on the team," said Strand, from Bloomer, Wisconsin. “We show it in everything we do.”

[WSUWarriorFan]

[QUOTE=IceBoxDragon;n864396]Jack Strand confirms after some speculation: He's staying in Moorhead. Story from the Fargo-Moorhead Forum - 'Wouldn't want to be anywhere else': Record-setting QB Jack Strand staying put with the Dragons

[I]“I don’t pay a ton of attention to it," Strand said of the portal. "I’ve never had any thoughts of it because being here, being in the position I’m in, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Strand holds every major career passing record for the Dragons, including pass yards (9,615), completions (944), pass attempts (1,470) and passing touchdowns (84). He's played 31 games for MSUM over his first three seasons.

“Being able to throw the ball as much as we do, I always say it's a quarterback’s dream," Strand said. “It’s really fun.”

Strand said wanting to stay with the Dragons goes beyond the numbers. He also likes the culture head coach Steve Laqua has built in the program.

“We talk about Dragon love all the time and I think it fits with my morals and the morals from everybody else on the team," said Strand, from Bloomer, Wisconsin. “We show it in everything

Can never fault someone for leaving but it always makes me happy when players especially really good ones choose to stay.

[Stanger86]

Jack Strand confirms after some speculation: He's staying in Moorhead. Story from the Fargo-Moorhead Forum - 'Wouldn't want to be anywhere else': Record-setting QB Jack Strand staying put with the Dragons

Good for him! I don't know if he'd get the freedom he has anywhere else.

[IceBoxDragon]

Well, I'm sure many of you are aware of the Vikings season coming to an end this evening. It sucks, I hate it, it's disappointing. However, the journey was at least a fun ride, especially since all of my teams had winning seasons. This is just the sixth time in my life (born in 1988) that the three teams I follow (Vikings, Gophers and Dragons) all finished with .500 or better seasons.

2024

• Vikings: 14-4, Lost Wild Card Game
• Gophers: 8-5, Won Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Dragons: 6-5

2019

• Vikings: 11-7, Won Wild Card Game, Lost Divisional Round
• Gophers: 11-2, Won Outback Bowl
• Dragons: 6-5

2018

• Vikings: 8-7-1
• Gophers: 7-6, Won Quick Lane Bowl
• Dragons: 8-4, Lost Mineral Water Bowl

2016

• Vikings: 8-8
• Gophers: 9-4, Won Holiday Bowl
• Dragons: 7-4

1999

• Vikings: 11-7, Won Wild Card Game, Lost Divisional Round
• Gophers: 8-4, Lost Sun Bowl
• Dragons: 7-4

1989

• Vikings: 10-7, Lost Divisional Round
• Gophers: 6-5
• Dragons: 6-4, Won NIC Title, Lost NAIA Round one

[CollegeFBGuy]

Well, I'm sure many of you are aware of the Vikings season coming to an end this evening. It sucks, I hate it, it's disappointing. However, the journey was at least a fun ride, especially since all of my teams had winning seasons. This is just the sixth time in my life (born in 1988) that the three teams I follow (Vikings, Gophers and Dragons) all finished with .500 or better seasons.

2024

• Vikings: 14-4, Lost Wild Card Game
• Gophers: 8-5, Won Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Dragons: 6-5

2019

• Vikings: 11-7, Won Wild Card Game, Lost Divisional Round
• Gophers: 11-2, Won Outback Bowl
• Dragons: 6-5

2018

• Vikings: 8-7-1
• Gophers: 7-6, Won Quick Lane Bowl
• Dragons: 8-4, Lost Mineral Water Bowl

2016

• Vikings: 8-8
• Gophers: 9-4, Won Holiday Bowl
• Dragons: 7-4

1999

• Vikings: 11-7, Won Wild Card Game, Lost Divisional Round
• Gophers: 8-4, Lost Sun Bowl
• Dragons: 7-4

1989

• Vikings: 10-7, Lost Divisional Round
• Gophers: 6-5
• Dragons: 6-4, Won NIC Title, Lost NAIA Round one

Was Bobby Jones the QB in 89?

[IceBoxDragon]

Was Bobby Jones the QB in 89?

Yup, tossed for 3,954 yards and 34 TDs in his career for the Dragons. Actually went to Europe and played pro football in Germany, winning two titles over there.

[CollegeFBGuy]

I am younger, but watched Bobby and his brother Matt back in HS. Sort of followed the college journey, but that was way more difficult pre internet!