Mark Hanley
Gene Richter

Record-setting effort powers Wolves past Dragons 45-7

9/29/2012 8:23:00 PM

Box Score
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MOORHEAD, Minn. -
Northern State junior Jared Jacobson threw for a career-high 280 yards and three touchdowns, while the NSU defense held MSU Moorhead to a school-record -40 yards rushing, as the Wolves rolled to a 45-7 victory over the Dragons on Saturday afternoon in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football action.

NSU picked up its second straight win to improve to 2-3 on the season, all in NSIC play.  MSU Moorhead fell to 0-5 on the year with Saturday's homecoming loss.  The Dragons have dropped 12 straight games dating back to Sept. 24, 2011.

Northern State took advantage of a series of Dragon penalties late in the first quarter to put its first score on the board.  MSUM blocked an NSU field goal attempt from 41 yards out, but were whistled for an offsetting personal foul penalty and an offsides penalty.  NSU lined up to take a second shot at a field goal, but missed the 36 yarder.  The Dragons, however, were flagged again for jumping the line, giving the Wolves a third shot at the board. 

NSU lined up in field goal formation but faked the kick and instead threw the ball to senior inside linebacker Logan Fahnhort for a touchdown.

The Wolves went on to score twice more in the half, once on a 15-yard strike from Jacobson to senior Mark Hanley to go up 14-0.  Senior Felipe Alfaia hit a 20-yard field goal with 1:25 left in the half to put the Wolves up 17-0 heading into the break.

The Wolves tacked on three more touchdowns in the third quarter on two John Hughes runs and Hanley's second TD catch of the day.  Redshirt freshman Cameron Pudwill notched his first career touchdown early in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard plunge.  Felipe's kick made it a 45-0 game with 12:25 left in the game.

The Dragons broke up the shut-out bid late in the quarter on a 25-yard pass from Ryan Toelle to Shawn Marloe with 3:11 left, making it a 45-7 NSU advantage.  That score would stand for the remaining minutes of the game.

Jacobson, who was held to less than 15 yards rushing for the second straight game, matched a career-best with 19 completions to eight different receivers.  Six of those completions went to Hanley, who notched his first 100-yard receiving game since Oct. 9, 2010 at Augustana.  Hanley had 115 yard and two touchdowns on Saturday.

Hughes had 17 carries for 79 yards and two scores on the ground for the Wolves, who finished with 121 net yards rushing.

Defensively, the Wolves were led by Fahnhorst, who, in addition to his first-quarter touchdown receptiion, recorded seven tackles and a sack.  Devin Olson and Marquis Mulkey each recorded interceptions, while true freshman Dakota Odermann recorded his first career fumble recovery in the third quarter.  The interception was a career first for Olson, while Mulkey's pick was his third of the season.

MSU Moorhead's Brandon Schell had eight carries for 40 yards, but the Dragons had three players with negative net rushing yards, including quarterbacks Ryan Toell and Jake Hodge, who combined for -80 yards.  Hodge was 12-for-29 through the air for 152 yards and two interceptions, while Toelle was 5 of 8 passing for 79 yards and the Dragons' lone touchdown of the game.

The Wolves return home next weekend looking for their third straight win.  NSU will host NSIC newcomer Minot State in the team's annual Gypsy Days/Homecoming contest.  The MSU Beavers are coming off their first win of the season and first ever as an NSIC member institution with a 32-21 win over the University of Mary.  Kick-off for next weekend's match-up is set for 2:30 p.m. at Swisher Field.
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