For Immediate Release
Monday, November 14, 2011
Excelsior Springs, Mo. - The Mineral Water Bowl Committee has announced the teams for the 46th Mineral Water Bowl on Saturday December 3rd 2011 noon Kick off at Tiger Stadium in Excelsior Springs MO. Minnesota State University, Mankato vs. Northeastern State University (Okla.)
Minnesota State out of Mankato, Minn. comes in to the game with an 8-3 overall record, an 8-2 record in the NSIC (Co-Champions) and a 6-0 mark in the South Division (Champions). This is Head Coach Todd Hoffner’s 4th year at Minnesota State. He has made two playoff appearances while this will be his first Mineral Water Bowl in school history. Coach Hoffner has an overall record at Minnesota State of 33-13 and was chosen the 2009 NSIC Coach of the Year.
The Mavericks come in to the bowl game averaging 32.1 points per game and 356 total yards of offense per game. They are led on offense by red shirt freshman running back Andy Pfeiffer who gained over 1000 yards and 95.7 yards per game with 6 touchdowns and senior quarterback Jon Daniels, who has thrown for over 2000 yards and 188 yards per game with 18 touchdowns. Daniels favorite target thru the air is junior Dennis Carter who has over 700 yards and 6 touchdowns on the season. Carter also has averaged 141.1 all purpose yards per game.
On defense the Mavericks have only given up 19.5 points per game behind junior Marcus Hall-Oliver with 77 tackles and 2 interceptions and red shirt freshman Kris Fleigle with 69 tackles and sophomore Chris Schaudt with 16 tackles for loss and 8 quarterback sacks
Coach Kenney Evans brings his Northeastern State Riverhawks to the first Mineral Water Bowl appearance. The Riverhawks for Tahlequah, Okla. will be joining the MIAA in the 2012-2013 season. Coach Evans took over the program in 2008 and guided the Riverhawks to the 2010 LSC North Division Championship and the 2011 brings the team to the Mineral Water Bowl with a 7-4 record.
The Riverhawks are averaging 35.5 points per game with 157 rushing yards and 306 passing yards. The rushing attack is led by to redshirt freshman in Joel Rockmore with 5 touchdowns and Terrance Dixon. Sophomore quarterback Johnny Deaton has thrown for over 2400 yards with 25 touchdowns and 261 all purpose yards per game. Deaton favorite target is senior Trey McVay with 1492 yards and 16 touchdowns in the 2011 season.
On Defense the Riverhawks are led by junior Langston Jones with 77 tackles along with senior Travis Boswell with 11 tackles for loss and 7 quarterback sacks. Senior Nate Robinson leads the secondary with 5 interceptions.
For more information visit www.mineralwaterbowl.net