Mankato, MN (NSUWolves.com) – The (RV) Northern State University football team’s win streak came to an end Saturday on the road at No. 4 Minnesota State. The Wolves scored first in their opening drive, however, were unable to fend off the Mavericks and convert on crucial third downs.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 17, MSU 35
Records: NSU 3-1 (2-1 NSIC), MSU 4-0 (3-0 NSIC)
Attendance: 4118
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Northern tallied seven points in the first, three in the second, and seven in the third in the contest, while Minnesota State notched 28 in the second and seven in the third
- Hank Kraft scored first for the Wolves on the opening drive, breaking through the line for a 25-yard rushing touchdown at 10:18
- Hank Kraft’s 25y TD run as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
- The Mavericks rallied back in the opening minutes of the second, recording back-to-back touchdowns for a 14-7 lead
- Jeremy Caruso cut into that lead at 8:21 in the second, knocking a 33-yard field goal through the uprights
- Jeremy Caruso’s FG as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
- The 4-point differential did not last long as MSU tacked on a pair of touchdowns to close out the half and the teams entered the locker room with the Mavericks up 28-10
- Minnesota State scored their final touchdown of the contest midway through the third, taking a 35-10 lead, and Northern added their final score on a 2-yard pass from Ty Englehart to Gavin Giesler at 2:25
- Gavin Giesler’s TD reception, as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
- The Wolves recorded 148 yards rushing, 164 yards passing, and 312 yards of total offense, while the Mavericks notched 193 yards rushing, 203 yards passing, and 396 yards of total offense
- Northern threw their first interceptions of the season with three in the afternoon loss and suffered three sacks
- The converted on just 3-of-13 third downs and 2-of-5 fourth downs
- The NSU defense added one interception and two sacks of their own, holding the Mavericks to conversion rates of 3-of-12 on third down and 2-of-3 on fourth down
- Northern led the contest with 124 total return yards, averaging 10.5 yards per punt return and 20.6 yards per kick return
- Englehart and Joey Dube-Garrett threw for a combined 164 yards in the game, each suffering an interception with the final interception thrown by Kraft
- Kraft marked his eighth rushing touchdown of the season, as well as fourth straight game with 100-plus yards, rushing for 154 total with a 55-yard long
- Louie Schwabe led the receivers with 60 yards total, including a 30-yard long
- For the second week in a row, Jake Adams recorded 15 tackles for the Wolves, followed by Cooper Logan with ten, including one tackle for a loss
- The Wolves’ two sacks came via edge Gabe Gutierrez for a total loss of six yards, with one forcing a fumble by Mitchell Thompson
- Joshua Brown notched two pass break-ups, while Elijah Jopp recorded the Wolves interception in the fourth; Brown also added 2.0 tackles for a loss of five yards
- Elijah Jopp’s INT as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
- Cooper Eisenbeisz led the team in returns with 99 total yards, including 88 on kickoffs with a 27-yard long
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Hank Kraft: 154 yards rushing, 11.8 yards per carry, 1 touchdown, 32 yards receiving
- Jake Adams: 15 tackles, 9 solo tackles
- Gabe Gutierrez: 2.0 sacks for a loss of 6 yards, 4 tackles, 1 forced fumble
- Joshua Brown: 5 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss of 5 yards, 2 pass break-ups
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- With his 2.0 sacks in the contest, Gabe Gutierrez has tied Bryar Johnson for the career sacks record with 17.0 total
- Gabe Gutierrez’s recording tying sack, as heard on Fox Sports Aberdeen:
Hear the first word following the game with Head Coach Mike Schmidt during the “Top Chop Meats” Wolves Wrap postgame show with the play-by-play voice of the Wolves, David Tukesbrey HERE:
LISTEN:
UP NEXT
The Wolves return to the confines of Dacotah Bank Stadium next Saturday for the annual Gypsy Days game. Kick-off is set for 2:30 p.m. against the University of Mary. You can listen to the game (for free) on Fox Sports Aberdeen 1420AM & 98.5FM with David Tukesbrey & Matt McClure on the call; or watch (for a fee) on the MidcoSports+ platform. A full listing of Gypsy Days events can be found below.
2026 GYPSY DAYS SCHEDULE
Thursday, September 24
6 pm – Northern State Swimming & Diving vs. Jamestown – Barnett Center Pool
Friday, September 25
11:15 am – Sideliner Luncheon Series – Buffalo Wild Wings
1 pm – President’s Investiture – Johnson Fine Arts Center
2 pm – Northern State Softball Doubleheader Scrimmage vs. NDSCS – Koehler Hall of Fame Field
4-6 pm – Campus Building Open Houses
6 pm – Hall of Fame Banquet – Kessler’s Champions Club Room
6 pm – Northern State Soccer vs. Minnesota Crookston – Athletic & Recreation Fields
7 pm – 1976 Football Reunion – Hall of Fame Room, Barnett Center
7 pm – Volleyball Reunion – Teal Lounge, Dacotah Bank Stadium
7 pm – Wrestling Reunion – Team Room, Barnett Center
7 pm – Track & Field Reunion – Kessler’s Champions Club Room
Saturday, September 26
7 am – Steps for Shep Race – Barnett Center
9 am – Gypsy Days Parade – Main Street
11 am – Northern State Men’s Basketball Intrasquad Scrimmage – Barnett Center
11:30 am – Tailgating Begins – Barnett Center & Dacotah Bank Stadium Lots
12 pm – Northern State Wrestling Open Practice – Dacotah Bank Stadium Main Entrance
12 pm – Alumni Association Tailgate – Dacotah Bank Stadium Lot
2:30 pm – Northern State Football vs. UMary – Dacotah Bank Stadium
6 pm – Northern State Volleyball vs. UMary – Barnett Center