St. Cloud, Minn. – The Northern State University football earned themselves a share of the NSIC North title after defeating St. Cloud State 31-24 on the road. The Wolves continue the win streak and move to 6-4 overall and 6-0 in the NSIC North.
 
The Wolves scored first with under three minutes remaining in the first quarter. Northern executed a double-reversal and Kyle Lavand dropped back to find Tyrell Anderson wide open in the end zone for a 26 yard touchdown. St. Cloud State quickly answered back just a minute later, however that did not stop the Wolves. Lavand connected with Nicholas Truen for his second touchdown of the game and the Wolves took the 14-7 lead. Adrian Krupka added a 20 yard field goal on the next drive increasing the NSU lead.
 
St. Cloud State held the Wolves scoreless in the third and took the 24-17 lead. With only one quarter to play, the NSU defense held strong and made some key stops to skunk the Huskies in the fourth. Kyle Lavand connected with both Conner Doherty and Taylor Houchin in the fourth to take the lead. Houchin's 40 yard reception was the longest of the day for Lavand.
 
The redshirt freshmen tallied 282 yards passing with four touchdowns. Lavand threw 24 completions in 41 attempts, and did not give up an interception in the win. He also recorded a team second best 59 yards rushing averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
 
Nicholas Truen recorded a team leading 60 yards rushing on 17 carries. Truen also recorded 20 yards receiving and one touchdown. Tyrell Anderson led the team with 75 yards receiving, followed by Conner Doherty with 45 and Taylor Houchin with 40.
 
Defense has been the name of the game for the Wolves as of late. Channing Barber led the defense with ten tackles, one interception, and five break-ups. Barber's interception came on what may have been a St. Cloud State score in the Wolves end zone. Taylor Zemlicka and Joe Parsley recorded a team leading six solo tackles apiece, and notched eight on the day. Zemlicka recorded the Wolves lone tackle for a loss in the win.
 
Alex Bernstein and Matt Thorson each grabbed on interception for the Wolves, and Thorson recorded a 24 yard return. Thorson also notched a fumble recovery. Tyson Zemlicka and Devin Olson each tallied five tackles, while Cameron Pudwill and Cody Braeger notched four apiece.
 
Adrian Krupka recorded another solid day for the Wolves averaging 37.9 yards per punt and 48.0 yards per kickoff. Krupka was also 4-for-4 in PATs and was just shy for a season long field goal of 52 yards. Blaine Schmidt and Zachery Barber led the NSU special teams returners in the win. Schmidt tallied 16 yards on two punt returns, while Barber recorded 42 yards on two kickoffs.
 
Northern will return home next weekend to take on Bemidji State in the final regular season game of 2015. Game time is set for 1 p.m. from Swisher Field. The NSU football team will also be celebrating senior day.