St. Paul, MN (NSUWolves.com) – A 21-point second half led the Northern State University football team to their fifth straight victory on Saturday over Concordia-St. Paul. The Wolves trailed by as much as 17 in the second quarter; closed out the half with a touchdown as time expired and rallied back in the third and fourth. The game-tying touchdown, a 2-yard rush by Wyatt Block, came with just 16 seconds left in regulation and Jeremy Caruso sealed the win with his fifth PAT of the afternoon.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 35, CSP 34
Records: NSU 5-4 (5-3 NSIC), CSP 2-6 (2-5 NSIC)
Attendance: 1163
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Golden Bears took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on an opening 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and 1-yard rushing score
- They extended that lead in the opening minutes of the second on a 22-yard field goal by Jeff Isotalo-McGuire
- Daniel Britt broke through at 8:58 in the second on a 14-yard rushing touchdown and the Wolves again trailed by 14
- Concordia added their third touchdown of the contest just five minutes later and the Wolves had the ball with three minutes to play in the half
- Northern pushed the pace, trotting 75 yards down field as the half expired, capped off by a 10-yard receiving touchdown by Jacob Van Landingham
- The two teams entered the locker room with Concordia-St. Paul on top 24-14
- It was all Northern State in the third with a pair of rushing touchdowns by Britt and Wyatt Block, giving the Wolves their first lead of the contest, 28-24
- The Golden Bears opened the fourth with their third touchdown of the contest from Jaylin Richardson and extended their lead on a 34-yard field goal at 3:28
- Northern closed out the game like they closed out the half, moving 72-yards downfield for their fifth and final touchdown of the win, a 2-yard run by Block
- CSP had the ball with 12 seconds to play, however Max Van Landingham stopped the attacked with a 15-yard sack as time expired
- The Northern State offense led the contest with 24 first downs, 278 yards rushing, and 410 yards of total offense
- They completed 9-of-14 third downs, 1-of-2 fourth downs, and scored all five times they entered the red-zone
- The Wolves offensive line did not give up a sack, while the Northern State defense recorded two
- Britt had a day for the Wolves, passing for 131 yards and one touchdown, and rushing for 75 yards and two touchdowns
- Block and Hank Kraft each tallied 100-plus yard rushing games with 102 and 101 respectively
- Tanner Branson and Van Landingham led the receiving core with 38 yards apiece, as the Wolves saw seven players recorded a reception in the win
- Jake Adams returned to the team lead with 16 tackles, including six solo stops, and was followed by Charlie Larson with 12
- Lynden Williams notched seven tackles, including a team best 1.5 tackles for a loss, while Luke Gunderson notched six tackles, including one sack
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Daniel Britt: 131 yards passing, 1 touchdown, 75 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns
Wyatt Block: 102 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns
Hank Kraft: 101 yards rushing, 8.4 yards per carry, 56 kick return yards
Jake Adams: 16 tackles
Luke Gunderson: 6 tackles, 1 sack for a loss of 9 yards
Check out the RADIO HIGHLIGHTS of the win with the voice of the Wolves, David Tukesbrey HERE:
UP NEXT
The Wolves close out their home slate, hosting nationally ranked Minnesota State next Saturday, November 2. Kickoff time is set for 2 p.m. in Dacotah Bank Stadium.