Aberdeen, SD (NSUWolves.com) – The Northern State University football team returned to .500 on Saturday, winning their fourth straight. The 34-point victory over Southwest Minnesota State from Dacotah Bank Stadium saw the Wolves record season highs in rushing yards, passing yards, rushing touchdowns, total offense, and tackles for a loss.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 41, SMSU 7
Records: NSU 4-4 (4-3 NSIC), SMSU 0-7 (0-6 NSIC)
Attendance: 4,301
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Wolves scored early and often, notching ten points in the first, 21 in the second, seven in the third, and three in the fourth
- Southwest Minnesota State broke through with their lone touchdown at 11:23 in the fourth after trailing 38-0
- Jeremy Caruso was the bookends for the Wolves scoring front, opening the game with a 34-yard field goal and closing out the contest with a 40-yarder
- Following Caruso’s first three points, Hank Kraft recorded his second receiving touchdown of the year season on an 11-yard pass from Daniel Britt at 2:54 in the first
- Three Wolves scored in the second, led off by Colton Hackel with a 3-yard run on the Wolves 75-yard drive midway through the quarter
- The ball was back in the Mustangs hands, however that didn’t last long as Kegan Mountain grabbed his fourth interception of the season and ran it back for 55 yards and a touchdown at 4:48; Northern’s first defensive touchdown of the season
- Kraft closed out the half for the Wolves on a 32-yard run at 1:04; his third rushing touchdown of the season and second score of the evening
- Just over a minute into the second half Daniel Britt broke through rushing 68-yards to the endzone for the Wolves fourth touchdown of the contest and longest rush of the season
- The two teams closed out the third scoreless and the fourth quarter saw the Mustangs 1-yard rushing score and Caruso’s sixth field goal of the season
- The Northern State offense led the contest with 20 first downs, 277 yards rushing, 180 yards passing, and 457 yards of total offense; they averaged 7.7 yards per rush and 13.8 yards per reception, scoring on three of the four times they entered the red-zone
- The NSU defense notched 11.0 tackles for a loss of 43 yards, 4.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception; they held the Mustangs to 2-of-11 on third down and 0-2 on fourth
- Britt was in a groove for the Wolves recording 126 yards passing and 71 yards rushing with two touchdowns; he averaged 14.2 yards per rush and completed 11-of-18 passing attempts
- Noah Smith and Wyatt Block each rushed for 60-plus yards, notching 69 and 66 respectively, with Block adding 52 yards receiving
- Five Wolves tallied five or more tackles led by Charlie Larson with eight in the win
- Gabe Gutierrez held the Mustangs at bay with 3.0 tackles for a loss, two of which were sacks, followed by Matthew Baker and Max Van Landingham with 2.0 tackles for a loss apiece
- Van Landingham added a forced fumble on his sack that was recovered by sophomore Jake Adams
- Lynden Williams added six tackles, five of which were solo stops, while the trio of Baker, Adams, and Elijah Jopp recorded five tackles each
- Tom Ellard punted for 128 yards, averaging 42.7 yards per punt with a 57-yard long and two inside the 20
- Caruso tallied 11 points for the Wolves in the win and added 457 yards on kickoffs with three touchbacks
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Daniel Britt: 126 yards passing, 71 yards rushing, 1 rushing TD, 1 passing TD, 61.1 pass completion%
Noah Smith: 69 yards rushing, 40 kick return yards
Wyatt Block: 66 yards rushing, 52 yards receiving
Gabe Gutierrez: 3 tackles, 3.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks
Charlie Larson: 8.0 tackles
Jeremy Caruso: 2 field goals (34 & 40 yards), 5-of-5 PAT, 57.1 yards per kickoff
Check out the RADIO HIGHLIGHTS with the “Voice Of The Wolves” David Tukesbrey HERE:
UP NEXT
Northern State travels to Concordia-St. Paul next Saturday, October 26. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. against the Golden Bears.