Box Score
Box Score

BEMIDJI, Minn. - In what proved to be a battle of the first half, the Northern State football program saw its three-game win streak come to an end on Saturday as the Wolves fell 23-6 to Bemidji State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football action.

NSU, falling for the first time in North Division play, slipped to 3-4 overall.  The Beavers moved to 4-3 overall and 3-0 in divisional action.

All the offensive scoring for both teams was done in the first half, and all but one BSU touchdown in the first quarter.  The Beavers opened the day with a nearly nine-minute long, 84-yard scoring drive capped by a Dustin Kroeplin two-yard plunge that gave the Beavers a 7-0 edge with 6:10 left in the first quarter. 

NSU answered with its lone scoring drive of the day less than two minutes later.  Senior tailback Chris Nguyen accounted for 46 of the 74 yards on the drive while sophomore quarterback Jared Jacobson bounced in from three yards out to cap the drive.  The Wolves went for the lead with the two-point conversion but couldn't capitalize, leaving the host Beavers with the 7-6 lead.

BSU extended its advantage with touchdowns on its next two possessions, both coming on TD passes from senior quarterback Lance Rongstad.  The Wolves would reach the red zone just once more throughout the course of the game.  A field goal attempt from 27 yards out was blocked on that opportunity.  NSU also missed from 41 yards out early in the fourth quarter.

BSU picked up two points on a safety in the third quarter after pinning the Wolves inside their own 11 yard line on a punt.  Facing third and long from their own six, the Wolves missed a snap that went out of the back of the end zone, giving the Beavers the two-point safety.

Jacobson, who notched his first career 300-yard passing game last week against Minot State, just missed his second straight game of 300 passing yards.  He finished Saturday's contest 24 of 40 for 296 yards.  Mark Hanley caught five passes for 86 of those yards, while Nguyen and sophomore Jordan Piatz also had five catches apiece.

The Wolves return home next week to host St. Cloud State in another NSIC North Division battle.  The Huskies were 55-13 winners over U-Mary on Saturday and enter the contest at 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the division.  Kick-off is set for 2:30 p.m. at Swisher Field.