10 Shocking Realities Of Southwest Minnesota State University Football's 2025 Season: The Scott Underwood Era's Toughest Test

The Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Mustangs football program faced a brutal reality check during the 2025 season. Despite high hopes fueled by a strong recruiting class and the continuity of a veteran coaching staff, the team concluded their 58th year of college football with a difficult 1-10 overall record, including a 1-9 mark in the highly competitive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). This performance has immediately put the spotlight on the program's direction under Head Coach Scott Underwood as the Mustangs look to rebuild and compete in one of Division II's toughest leagues. The 2025 campaign, which saw the Mustangs finish on a nine-game losing streak (L9), highlighted significant challenges on both sides of the ball, particularly in scoring and defense. The team's overall statistics paint a clear picture of the struggles, setting the stage for an intense offseason focused on player development, strategic adjustments, and capitalizing on the momentum of their recent recruitment efforts to turn the tide for the 2026 season.

The Leadership and Roster Profile of the 2025 SMSU Mustangs

The foundation of the Southwest Minnesota State University football program rests on its leadership and its commitment to recruiting student-athletes capable of excelling in the demanding NSIC. The 2025 season marked a pivotal year for the current regime, solidifying the team's core personnel and coaching structure.

Head Coach Scott Underwood Biography

* Role: Head Football Coach (11th head coach in program history) * Current Tenure: Began in 2022, with the 2025 season marking his fourth year at SMSU. * Prior Experience: Underwood is a veteran coach with deep roots in Division II football, known for his defensive expertise and program-building approach. * 2025 Season Record: 1-10 Overall, 1-9 NSIC.

Key Coaching Staff

* Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers: Levi Bullerman * Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line: Doug Patterson

Notable Players and Recruiting Class

The 2025 team featured a mix of returning talent and a large influx of newcomers. The program signed an impressive 40 student-athletes to the 2025 recruiting class, a crucial step in bolstering the depth chart across all positions. * Jaylen Davis: A key Linebacker listed on the 2025 roster, Davis played in eight games during the previous season and is expected to be a defensive leader. * Josiah Hedensten & Parker Knutson: Standouts from the 2024 season, senior linebacker Hedensten and sophomore safety Knutson both earned All-NSIC honors, showcasing the talent base the Mustangs are building around. * Quarterback Duo: Box scores from the 2025 season mention quarterbacks like Macloud Crowton, who connected with players like Tryg Auten for touchdowns in key conference matchups.

10 Shocking Realities from the 2025 SMSU Football Season

The 2025 season was a statistical anomaly for the Mustangs, underscoring the gap they must close to become competitive in the NSIC. These ten key realities summarize the team's year:

1. The 1-10 Final Record: The team’s overall record of 1-10 is the starkest indicator of the season's difficulties, with the sole victory coming early in the year.
2. The Nine-Game Losing Streak (L9): Finishing the season on a nine-game skid demonstrated an inability to secure wins in the later, crucial conference games.
3. Scoring Disparity: The Mustangs averaged a mere 14.50 Points Per Game (PPG) throughout the season.
4. Defensive Struggles: Opponents averaged an overwhelming 42.60 PPG against the SMSU defense, resulting in a total of 426 points allowed for the season.
5. NSIC North/South Challenge: Competing in the NSIC, which features powerhouse teams like Minnesota Duluth, Augustana, and Minnesota State, proved to be an immense hurdle, as evidenced by the 1-9 conference finish.
6. The Battle for the Sledge: The season included key rivalry games and trophy games, such as the "Battle for the Sledge," which are always high-stakes affairs that test the team's resilience.
7. Home Field Woes: The Mustangs were unable to secure a victory at home, posting an 0-5 record in Marshall, Minnesota, which is a critical area for improvement.
8. Road Victory as the Only Bright Spot: The team’s single win came on the road, where they finished with a 1-5 record, highlighting the difficulty of playing away from home against conference opponents.
9. Key Offensive Performers: Despite the low scoring, players like quarterback Macloud Crowton and receiver Tryg Auten showed flashes of potential, connecting on scoring plays in games against teams like Northern State.
10. The 58th Season Milestone: The 2025 season marked the 58th year of college football at SMSU, adding historical weight to the need for a turnaround in the program's direction.

The Road Ahead: Rebuilding and the 2026 Outlook

The challenging 2025 season has set the stage for a critical offseason for Head Coach Scott Underwood and the entire Mustangs program. The focus is now shifting toward integrating the 40 new student-athletes signed in the 2025 recruiting class and developing the younger talent to rise to the level of NSIC competition.

Strategic Priorities for the Offseason

The statistical realities of the 2025 season dictate clear priorities for the coaching staff, including Defensive Coordinator Levi Bullerman and Offensive Coordinator Doug Patterson. * Defensive Reinforcement: The 42.60 PPG allowed is a clear sign that defensive scheme adjustments and personnel improvements are paramount. The continued development of key players like linebacker Jaylen Davis and safety Parker Knutson will be crucial to lowering the total points allowed. * Offensive Consistency: While the team showed moments of promise, the 14.50 PPG average needs a significant boost. Finding consistency in the rushing game and developing the passing attack around the quarterback and receiving corps is essential for sustained drives and scoring. * Capitalizing on Recruiting: The large 2025 signing class must be quickly integrated into the system. The success of the 2026 season will heavily rely on how many of these newcomers can immediately contribute and provide depth.

Navigating the NSIC Landscape

The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) remains one of the most formidable conferences in NCAA Division II football. The Mustangs face perennial powerhouses like Minnesota State, Augustana, and Minnesota Duluth every year, meaning their path to a winning record is inherently difficult. To climb the NSIC standings, SMSU must find a way to consistently compete with these top-tier programs. The focus must be on winning the close games and improving their performance against regional rivals like Northern State and Concordia-St. Paul. The 2025 season was undoubtedly a difficult chapter, but it provides a clear benchmark for improvement. The SMSU Mustangs' future hinges on the effectiveness of their offseason training, player retention, and the ability of Scott Underwood’s staff to translate potential into performance for the upcoming 2026 campaign. The Marshall community and the entire Mustangs faithful will be eagerly watching to see if the program can make the necessary strides to become a contender in the NSIC.