Box Score (.pdf)

Northern State quarterback Jared Jacobson racked-up a career-high 502 yards of total offense and scored five total touchdowns as the Wolves (6-3, 4-1 NSIC North) defeated U-Mary 42-33 Saturday afternoon in Bismarck, N.D. The 502 yards of offense from Jacobson is just nine short of the NSU program record of 511 yards set by Kip Kieso against Minnesota-Morris in 1992.

Although Northern never trailed in the game, the two teams traded scores for most of the contest with the Wolves striking first. After a big goal line stand on Mary's (5-4) opening drive, the Wolves marched 99 yards in 11 plays, capped-off by a Jacobson one-yard touchdown run. The Marauders quickly responded on a Zach Roberson one-yard run, but a missed PAT kept NSU up 7-6.

Cameron Pudwill scored on a one-yard plunge on Northern's next possession, putting the Wolves up 14-6 early in the second quarter. After Mary's response, the Wolves scored again on their next drive, this time as Jacobson hit Cody Kraft for a three-yard touchdown pass. The Marauders would respond again on a VaShawn Pope 18-yard touchdown catch with just 1:27 left in the half and Northern carried a 21-20 lead into the break.

Nicholas Truen caught the first of his two touchdown receptions to open the scoring in the second half, as his 13-yard catch capped a nine-play, 67-yard drive and put NSU up 28-20. Again U-Mary would respond and cut the Northern lead down to 28-27 on its next possession. After the Wolves were forced to punt, Mary attempted a go-ahead 40-yard field goal with just over 10 minutes to play, but Jalon Bibbs had other ideas as he got in to block the field goal and Chad Stoterau recovered for the Wolves.

Five plays later, with 8:24 left in the game, Jacobson hit Truen again, this time for a 41-yard touchdown and Northern went back up by eight, 35-27. NSU forced Mary to punt on its next drive and the Wolves went to work on the clock, driving 56 yards on 14 plays and chewing up 5:58 of time. On the drive, Nathan Shaw hit a 23-yard field goal with 2:39 to play to put Northern up 38-27, but the drive continued as Mary was penalized for having 12 men on the field. Jacobson's second rushing touchdown of the game provided the knockout, on fourth and goal from the one, and put the Wolves up 42-27. The Marauders added another score with 11 seconds left to make it 42-33, but NSU recovered the ensuing on-side kick.

Jacobson finished the day going 36-for-53 with 418 yards passing and the three scores through the air. The 418 yards is the second-most of his career. Jacobson passed for 422 against Mary back in 2012. Jacobson also led the NSU rushing attack with 84 yards on the ground. Truen added 47 yards rushing.

Conner Doherty led the Wolves with 93 yards receiving on five catches. Taylor Houchin had six catches for 80 yards while Zach Barber and Truen both had six catches as well in the win. Jared Hannigan led the Wolves with seven grabs and had 60 yards receiving.

Zach Neer led the Wolves defense with 11 tackles in the game. Joe Parsley added nine stops and Devin Olson and Paul Woodward each had eight tackles. Parsley also forced NSU's lone takeaway in the game with a forced fumble that was recovered by Stoterau.

The Wolves return to action next Saturday for Senior Day as Minnesota, Crookston comes to Swisher Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff.