Northern State University Athletics

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Aberdeen, S.D. - The Northern State University football team add another win today, this time at home in the 2015 Ag Bowl.  The Wolves had an impressive showing on all three phases of the ball, as they defeated MSU Moorhead 46-26. With the win, Northern improves their record to 2-4 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC North, while the Dragons fall to 3-3 on the year, and 0-2 in divisional play.

Northern fell behind in the first quarter as Moorhead's Demetrius Carr passed to Damon Gibson for a 17 yard touchdown and the Dragons were up 7-0 late in the first quarter.
MSUM added to their lead earlier in the second with their second touchdown of the game. Up 13-0 at that point, Channing Barber took things into his own hands, literally, blocking the Dragons point after attempt. The momentum shifted as Northern answered back on the next drive. Kyle Lavand connected with Zachery Barber for the Wolves first score of the game. Nathan Shaw quickly added the PAT to bring the Wolves within six. The two team's remained scoreless through the half and entered the locker room with the Dragons on top 13-7.
 
The NSU rally began on their first drive of the half. Six plays into the drive Lavand, Truen, and Tyrell Anderson teamed up for a reversal and Anderson's first rushing touchdown of the season. The 26 yard run tied the game at 13 all, and the scored remained after a missed Northern PAT. The Wolves tallied a pair of long range scores to round out the quarter, a Nicholas Truen 64 yard rush and Zech Culbreath 68 yard reception, to take the 27-13 lead.
 
Taylor Houchin and Lavand added to the NSU lead to open the final 15 minutes of play with a four yard completion to the goal line. Adrian Krupka added the PAT on the play. The Dragons quickly answered back with a pair of receiving touchdowns, for 67 and 23 yards, chipping away at the NSU lead. Truen broke away with just minutes to play in the game for his second touchdown in the win.  Channing Barber sealed the victory for NSU on the Dragons final drive of the game. The junior tallied his third interception and second touchdown of the season on the 75 yard return with 14 seconds to play.

Kyle Lavand led the offense with 238 yards and three touchdowns. The redshirt freshman threw tallied 17 completions in 30 attempts, and added two yards rushing. Nicholas Truen recorded his first 100 plus yard game of 2015, with a total of 150 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Truen averaged 8.3 yards per carry and recorded 34 yards receiving.  Conner Doherty and Zech Culbreath led the NSU receivers with 51 yards, on five receptions, and 104 yards, on four receptions. Culbreath's 68 yard reception marked the first touchdown of his career.  

Defensively, Chad Stoterau led the way with 10.5 tackles and two tackles for a total loss of five yards. Stoterau led the team with seven solo tackles, and teamed up with Devin Olson for a sack. Trevor Heining was close behind with 7.5 tackles. Tanner Lopez and Marcus Marcellus each added a sack in the game. A total of 16 Wolves tallied one tackle or more in the win.

The Wolves recorded 498 total yards of offense with 272 yards passing and 226 yards rushing. The NSU kickers averaged 39.8 yards per punt and 53.6 yards per kickoff. Northern converted on 10-of-20 third downs, and held the Dragons on 9-of-17 third downs on defense.

The Wolves will head to Minnesota, Crookston next Saturday to face the 0-6 Golden Eagles. Kickoff time is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Crookston.