Aberdeen, SD (NSUWolves.com) – The (RV)/#25 Northern State University defense shinned Saturday evening from Dacotah Bank Stadium with career milestones, big time stops, and three scoreless quarters for their opponent in a 16-9 victory over Bemidji State. With the win, the Wolves sit atop the North Division and tied for second in the NSIC overall standings.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 16, BSU 9
Records: NSU 5-1 (4-1 NSIC), BSU 2-4 (2-3 NSIC)
Attendance: 5709
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Wolves opened the contest with a 70-yard drive resulting in a 27-yard field goal by Jeremy Caruso and 3-0 lead at 9:45 in the first
- Caruso’s FG, as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
- With the Beavers punting from their own 3-yard line in the second, Jackson Waitkus came up big, blocking the Beaver punt which was scooped up by Kale Johnson at the 6-yard line and returned for the sophomore’s first career touchdown
- Kale Johnson’s scoop & score on special teams, as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
- The two teams entered the locker room at halftime with Northern holding a 9-0 lead
- Hank Kraft opened the second half scoring with a 52-yard touchdown run at 9:07 in the third
- Kraft’s 52y TD run, as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
- Northern entered the fourth with a 16-0 lead, however Bemidji State stormed back late in the quarter notching a 3-yard passing score at 2:10 and 32-yard field goal at 1:08
- The Beavers attempted an on-side kick following the field goal, however Northern was able to come away with the ball on the play and kneel for the win as the clock ticked down
- The Wolves led the contest with 232 yards rushing and 284 yards of total offense, averaging 5.2 yards per play in the win
- The defense held Bemidji State to 260 yards of total offense and one touchdown, notching one interception by Andrew Ewald and two sacks
- Andrew Ewald’s late INT, as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
- Kraft continued his national leading performance this season, racking up 191 rushing yards in the win, averaging 9.6 yards per carry with a 52-yard long
- Connor Sams made his first appearance for NSU, adding 42 yards rushing with an average of 5.2 yards per carry
- Jake Adams was back in double figures for NSU with 13 tackles, including 0.5 sack, and one pass break-up
- Cooper Logan and Kale Johnson followed with eight tackles and one pass break-up each, with Logan notching 1.0 tackle for a loss and Johnson recording the punt return score
- Kegan Mountain forced his second fumble of the season and added a pass break-up, while Kaydn Turnbow connected with Adams for the 0.5 sacks
- Gabe Gutierrez tallied the second sack on the evening for NSU for a total loss of six yards and Javonnee Szymanski added the final TFL for the defense
- Cooper Eisenbeisz led the returners with 24 punt return yards and 18 kick return yards, while adding a team leading 18 yards receiving
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Hank Kraft: 191 yards rushing, 9 yards receiving, 1 touchdown, 9.6 yards per carry
- Jake Adams: 13 tackles, 0.5 sack, 1 pass break-up
- Cooper Logan: 8 tackles, 1.0 tackle for a loss, 1 pass break-up
- Kale Johnson: 8 tackles, 1 pass break-up, 1 punt return touchdown
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Gabe Gutierrez solidified his spot at the top of the career records list with the 18th of his career against the Beavers
- Gabe Gutierrez’s record-breaking sack moment, as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
- The Sioux Falls native achieved the feat in just 25 games played for the Wolves, surpassing Bryar Johnson with 17.0 sacks set back in 2008
UP NEXT
Northern State is set for a stint on the road, traveling to Minnesota Duluth next Saturday, October 10. Kick-off is set for 12 p.m. versus the Bulldogs. The Wolves will then enter the by week, before heading to MSU Moorhead for a 12 p.m. kick on October 24. David Tukesbrey will provide the play-by-play on Fox Sports Aberdeen 1420AM & 98.5FM with pregame at 11a & that kickoff at noon from Duluth, next Saturday.