BOX SCORE
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana used 40 first half points to end the Northern State Wolves' season on a disappointing note Saturday, as the Vikings cruised to a 47-19 victory at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Wolves close out their season with a 2-9 overall record, including a 2-8 mark in the Northern Sun.
Augustana got on the board quickly, as senior quarterback Luke Butler found Sam Holsen for a 34-yard scoring strike with 12:40 to go in the first. The point after would be good to bring the score to 7-0 in favor of the home team.
Augie scored again at the 9:18 mark of the first quarter on a 5-yard TD pass from Butler to Isaac Jorgenson. The point after would be no good leaving the score at 13-0 in favor of Augustana.
Augie would add two more touchdown passes from Butler, a second to Holsen on a 59-yarder, and one to Joe Klumper on a 2-yarder. One point after would fail and the other would be good to give the home team a 26-0 lead with 1:17 to go in the first quarter.
The Wolves finally got the offense into the end zone at the 6:14 mark on a 2-yard run by Montrel Richardson. The Thomas Parrott point after was good to bring the score to 26-7 in favor of Augustana.
The home team would add two scoring runs before halftime, one on a Luke Butler 16-yarder and the next on a nine-yarder by Joe Clark, leaving the halftime score at 40-7 in favor of Augustana.
The Wolves took the ensuing kickoff after halftime and marched right down the field, capping it off on a 31-yard scoring strike from Joei Fiegler to Josh Aho. The two-point attempt would be no good leaving the score at 40-13 in favor of Augustana.
The Wolves added another score on a 26-yard TD pass from Fiegler to John Michael Migdal with 10:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. The two-point attempt would be no good, leaving the score at 40-19 in favor of Augustana.
The Wolves caught Augustana off-guard on the kickoff following the touchdown, as kicker Thomas Parrott dribbled an onside kick up the middle of the Augustana kick return squad and recovered it himself giving the Wolves the ball on their own 41 yard line.
After one first down the Wolves weren't able to convert a second and were forced to hand the ball over on downs.
Augustana added another touchdown run with 6:23 remaining in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard run by Andrew Phillips.
The Wolves would threaten to score again but could not convert, and again were forced to hand the ball over on downs, and the final score would remain 47-19 in favor of Augustana.
Senior wide receiver Brian Jark entered the day trailing Logan Masters of Wayne State by one reception heading into the last week of the season for the all-time NSIC receptions record, and left Sioux Falls with 210 career NSIC receptions after catching a game high eight passes for 116 yards. Masters ended his game against the University of Mary with only four catches, leaving Jark with sole possession of the record. He also finished his stellar NSU career adding to his Northern State receptions record, and finished with 250 catches in a Wolves' uniform.
Joei Fiegler set a new season-high in passing yards with 346, completing 22 of 40 passes with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Montrel Richardson carried 18 times for 48 yards to lead the Northern State rushing attack, including his afore mentioned touchdown run.
Jark's eight receptions led the Wolves receiving corps, with fellow captain Trent DesLauriers hauling in five catches for 109 yards. It was the first game all season the Wolves have had two 100-yard receivers in the same game. Josh Aho caught three passes for 37 yards and a touchdown, and John Michael Migdal caught two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon.
Defensively, the Wolves were led by senior David Alvarez' 11 tackles, and he was followed closely by freshman Hanipale Seuga's nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Senior Andrew Wanner closed out his Northern State career with four tackles, .5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and an interception.
The game was the last for 11 Northern State seniors, including: Andrew Wanner, Ben Kapelle, Brian Jark, Shaun DelaCalzada, Adam Kuehl, David Alvarez, Travis Owen, Josh Carpenter, Anthony Ponzo, Jr., Ryan Olerud, and Kyle Fulford.
Northern State University is an NCAA Division II affiliated school participating in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
**GO WOLVES**
