MARSHALL, Minn. - The levy that had been holding back the Northern State football team (2-2, 2-0) from scoring finally broke in Saturday's road game against Southwest Minnesota State (1-3, 1-1 NSIC) as the Wolves scored four touchdowns in a 31-27 win. The win is the 16th straight for NSU over the Mustangs and the second straight NSU win of the season.

The Wolves started the road game against the Mustangs a bit sluggish, allowing SMSU to advance to the Northern 5-yard line before attempting a 22-yard field goal, which was missed. After going three-and-out with a blocked punt that put the Mustangs on the NSU 4-yard line, SMSU got on the board with a pass play complete for the touchdown.

The Wolves showed resolve and evened the score on their next possession, going 68 yards in eight plays with an Adam Halseth (Fr., WR, Sioux Falls, S.D.) 17-yard touchdown completion to Jared Mack (So, WR, Castlewood, S.D.). Thomas Parrott (Fr., K, Tampa, Fla.) connected on a 45-yard field goal attempt just before the first quarter was out to give the Wolves the lead for the remainder of the game.

Travis Frogge (So., DL, Platte City, Mo./Missouri Western St.) sacked SMSU quarterback Josh Shudlick and forced a fumble, which was picked up by NSU and carried to the SMSU 12-yard line early in the second quarter. It took the Wolves just one play, a 12-yard completion from Eric Ellingson to Mack, for the Wolves to take a 17-7 lead, already surpassing a season high scoring mark.

A series of completed mid-distance passes from the Mustangs gave SMSU another seven points and the ball back to the Wolves. NSU ate up 5:48 in clock time on their next scoring drive. They made their way 80 yards to the Mustang goal line and Brian Jark (So., WR, Aberdeen, S.D.) caught a 21-yard pass from Ellingson for NSU's third TD of the game and a 24-14 edge. And just when you thought the Wolves' offense might need a break from putting points on the board, Ellingson and Jark struck again in the first play of NSU's next possession, an 87-yard touchdown pass that, with the extra point, gave NSU a decisive 31-14 lead. The Wolves had a 31-20 edge at the half.

Northern did all of their scoring in the first half and held off a second half push by the Mustangs to keep the win intact. Both teams had several lengthy drives in the final two quarters, but only one more touchdown would be put in the books, a rushing touchdown by SMSU's Zach Wysong early in the third quarter. The remainder of the Mustangs' possessions in the game ended with two turnovers on downs, a missed 43-yard field goal attempt, and an interception.

Eric Ellingson (So., QB, Riverside, Calif.) completed 23-of-30 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-27 win. His longest completion was the 87-yard TD connection with Jark. Jark had five catches in the game for 132 yards, his second straight game with 100+ receiving yards. He had two touchdowns, as did Mack, who had five catches for 49 yards. Mike Cahoy (Sr., WR, Colome, S.D.) also had five catches and totaled 58 yards.

110 of NSU's 384 total yards in the game came on the ground and largely at the feet of Matt DeVine (R-Fr., RB, Gettysburg, S.D.). DeVine rushed for 73 yards, including a 15-yard long rush. Eric Schwan (Sr., P, Aberdeen, S.D.) averaged 44.0 yards in five punts and had a long boot of 62 yards.

The defense was led by Ryan Olerud and Jackson Hegerfeld with nine and eight tackles each, respectively. The Wolves' defense had four sacks in the game, including two from Travis Frogge and one each from Olerud and Lance York. Nate McGruder had six tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups.

The Mustangs had 357 yards of offense in the game, including 280 from passing. Shudlick completed 26-of-49 passes and had two touchdowns. Bret Ballantine caught six passes for 75 yards and had one touchdown, while Matt Fischer had 62 receiving yards in five catches. Derek Townsend was responsible for SMSU's other TD reception. Zach Wysong rushed for 43 yards and two touchdowns.

The Wolves will bring their 2-game winning streak to Bemidji, Minn. next Saturday as they face the BSU Beavers at 1:00 pm.