MSUM Dragons Football 2026 - Life After Strand

[IceBoxDragon]

Less than 100 days away from the season opener for the Minnesota State Dragons football team and the big, obvious question at this point is who the signal caller will be. That was covered by the Fargo-Moorhead Forum in spring, with the story Dragons experience unique quarterback dynamic during annual football spring game.

Right now, it's hard to tell who will be taking over the lead role, as the QB room is inexperienced with no upperclassmen. Here's the list of signal callers available:

• RS SO Michael Rostberg. Transferred from D1 St. Thomas. Played in 7 games throwing for 234 yards and 2 TDs, while also tossing 5 INTs in 2024. Sat out in 2025 because of injury. Played high school in North Dakota at Fargo Shanley
• RS SO Timmy Guler. Backup in 2025. Had 112 passing yards with two TDs, plus 42 rushing yards. Played at Pelican Rapids High School with 3,914 yards and 38 TDs passing, plus 2,279 yards and 33 TDs rushing.
• RS FR Drew Huebner. Played high school ball in Morris, Minnesota. Passed for 5,186 yards and 55 TDs, plus rushed for 1,060 yards and 24 TDs
• FR Payton Wallen. Played high school ball in Texas in Royse City. Threw for 2,200 yards and 18 TDs, along with 1,050 yards rushing.
• RS FR Madden Riggs. Played high school at Elkhorn in Nebraska. Had 2,672 passing yards with 31 TDs
• RS FR Joey Kallay. Played high school in Franklin, Wisconsin. Threw for 6,130 yards and 66 TDs.

Guler is the only one who's had some game time at MSUM and knows the playbook so I imagine he'll get a good shot, but we'll see. Here's how the rest of the roster is shaping up from the spring game.

2026 Seniors -

• RB Owen Wiersma, 436 rushing yards, 5 TDs, 64 receiving yards, 1 TD
• WR Brody Headley, 5 receiving yards
• OL Nick Haugrud
• DL Denver Piechowski, 13 solo tackles, 5 TFL, 5 Sacks, 1 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR
• DB Gavin Jarchow, 90 solo tackles, 4 TFL, 1 INT, 10 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
• DB Kennan Stowers, 50 solo tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 INT, 5 PD
• DB Evan Miles, 21 solo tackles, 1 INT, 6 PD
• DB Adam Kallenbach, 68 solo tackles, 9 TFL, 6 INT, 19 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR (RS)

2026 Juniors -

• RB Tyson Brandt, 629 rushing yards, 3 TDs, 178 receiving yards, 3 TDs
• WR Kelly Johnson, 280 yards, 1 TD
• OL Dallen Ernst
• OL Manny Wilson
• OL Jacob Dorner
• OL Kyle Nemzek
• OL Grant Erickson
• DL Zach Dahl, 28 solo tackles, 6 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 FR
• LB Derek Tibbetts, 4 solo tackles, 1 FR
• LB Henry Smith, 5 solo tackles
• DB Ryan Routhieaux, 4 solo tackles
• DB Micah Runion, 19 solo tackles, 1 TFL
• K Max Watson, 22 FG Attempts, 16 FG Made, 81 PAT, 118 Kickoffs, 25 TBs

2026 Sophomores

• RB Kevon Johnson, 52 rushing yards
• RB Isaiah Favors, 46 rushing yards (RS)
• RB Keegan Deyoung, 8 rushing yards
• WR Kalen Lucas, 211 receiving yards, 1 TD
• WR Denzel Sutton, 52 receiving yards (RS)
• TE Gavin Lill, 77 receiving yards, 2 TDs (RS)
• OL Luke Rogen
• DL Dean Lempka, 6 solo tackles, 4 TFL, 4 Sacks, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
• DL Brody Friend, 2 solo tackles (RS)
• DL Will Martin, 6 solo tackles, 2 TFL (RS)
• DL Malik Traore, 1 solo tackle (RS)
• DL Hunter Corbin, 1 solo tackle, 1 FR (RS)
• DB Jacion Owens, 1 solo tackle
• DB Preston Johnson, 6 solo tackles
• P Tristan Ulmer, 29 Attempts, 1,143 yards, 39.4 AVG

Here’s the schedule for the team, starting in late August.

• Northern Michigan, Aug. 27, Home
• Concordia-St. Paul, Sept. 3, Home
• Sioux Falls, Sept. 12, Away
• Augustana, Sept. 19, Away
• Minnesota-Duluth, Sept. 26, Home
• Minot State, Oct. 3, Away
• Mary, Oct. 10, Home, Homecoming, Rivalry
• Northern State, Oct. 24, Home
• Bemidji State, Oct. 31, Away, Rivalry
• Jamestown, Nov. 7, Away
• Minnesota State Mankato, Nov. 14, Home

Steve Laqua will enter the season with a 73-82 (70-80) record.

[IceBoxDragon]

Had been looking over the schedule lately as I continue reading offseason news and have put together thoughts on what I think are the most important games on the schedule this year for the Dragons. Of course every game on a schedule with 11 match-ups is important. None can be overlooked. These are just the standouts for me.

Northern Michigan
Season opener is always a big deal. Starting off the season on the right foot can really set a good tone. Plus, it’s a prime opportunity to pick up a win considering Northern Michigan’s struggles.

Concordia-St. Paul
Getting off to a 2-0 start would be really helpful for this year, and having back-to-back home games should help. This is another game where the Dragons should match up fairly well and can take advantage of the home field advantage.

Minnesota-Duluth
The last few games have been competitive, including 2024’s win. Obviously it will be a lot more difficult without Strand and Gage but the game being at Nemzek again should provide some potential for another win.

Mary
It being homecoming and the start of the second half of the season is big enough. On top of that, it’s a chance to continue the winning streak in the Battle for the Paddle trophy series.

Bemidji State
Getting the Axe back last year for the first time since 2018 was a big deal. Now it’s time to try and pick up two consecutive wins in the series for the first time since 2013-2014. It’s the chief rivalry for the Dragons so it’s the No. 1 game for me every season.

Minnesota State, Mankato
Picking up a win last year against the Mavericks was a huge deal. Again, things are quite different than last year without those offensive pieces, will make the task exceptionally difficult. However, the game is at home and it would be a heck of a way to cap the 2026 campaign.

[vikingfaithful]

Had been looking over the schedule lately as I continue reading offseason news and have put together thoughts on what I think are the most important games on the schedule this year for the Dragons. Of course every game on a schedule with 11 match-ups is important. None can be overlooked. These are just the standouts for me.

Northern Michigan
Season opener is always a big deal. Starting off the season on the right foot can really set a good tone. Plus, it’s a prime opportunity to pick up a win considering Northern Michigan’s struggles.

Concordia-St. Paul
Getting off to a 2-0 start would be really helpful for this year, and having back-to-back home games should help. This is another game where the Dragons should match up fairly well and can take advantage of the home field advantage.

Minnesota-Duluth
The last few games have been competitive, including 2024’s win. Obviously it will be a lot more difficult without Strand and Gage but the game being at Nemzek again should provide some potential for another win.

Mary
It being homecoming and the start of the second half of the season is big enough. On top of that, it’s a chance to continue the winning streak in the Battle for the Paddle trophy series.

Bemidji State
Getting the Axe back last year for the first time since 2018 was a big deal. Now it’s time to try and pick up two consecutive wins in the series for the first time since 2013-2014. It’s the chief rivalry for the Dragons so it’s the No. 1 game for me every season.

Minnesota State, Mankato
Picking up a win last year against the Mavericks was a huge deal. Again, things are quite different than last year without those offensive pieces, will make the task exceptionally difficult. However, the game is at home and it would be a heck of a way to cap the 2026 campaign.

Dragons total defense moved up to 6th in 2025 after a being 10th in 2024. If, MSUM can maintain that trajectory in defensive effort, the losses on offensive can be mitigated

Dragons first two games are winnable. The next 3 will define their season. Playing on the road two weeks in a row in Sioux Falls and a home game vs. UMD. Winning 1 or 2 games will be imperative. We will see if the Dragons have the MoJo.

[IceBoxDragon]

Dragons total defense moved up to 6th in 2025 after a being 10th in 2024. If, MSUM can maintain that trajectory in defensive effort, the losses on offensive can be mitigated

Dragons first two games are winnable. The next 3 will define their season. Playing on the road two weeks in a row in Sioux Falls and a home game vs. UMD. Winning 1 or 2 games will be imperative. We will see if the Dragons have the MoJo.

For sure, and both teams in Sioux Falls are always tough. It will certainly be a big test.

[laker]

Strand taking first team reps due to Falcon injuries.

"With Michael Penix Jr. not yet cleared for team work, Tua Tagovailoa working through an injury and Trevor Siemian now released, Kevin Stefanski said rookie UDFA Jack Strand will take the 11-on-11 reps"

[IceBoxDragon]

It's been really cool seeing all the buzz come out of Falcons training camp. Realistically, I know Strand is going to remain behind the other QBs on the roster once the season gets underway, and he may even need to fight for an actual roster spot, just this opportunity is great. This is likely the most MSUM athletics has been refererenced in national media since, ever? Awesome moment. I'm also wondering if Gage Florence, who missed out on the NFL, might get an opportunity in the CFL or UFL.

As for the Dragons, as the season gets close, it just remains a feeling of mystery. There's no doubt going to be a regression, as it's both talent and leadership that went with Strand, Florence and Brady Perryman. However, there's at least the posiitve that experience returns on the offensive line and overall defense. Hoping there's enough to pull off six victories for a fourth consecutive winning season.