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Listen LiveAberdeen, S.D. – Northern State football will be back to the gridiron tomorrow versus Upper Iowa University on the road. Game time is set for 12 p.m., between the Wolves and the Peacocks to open the 2015 season. The two teams have not faced each since 2013 and have matched-up only twice in the last six seasons.
Setting the Stage - NSU enters the 2015 season after going 8-3 in 2014, racking up the most wins since 1999. Head coach Tom Dosch was named the NSIC Coach of the Year.
- The key for the Wolves this season will be to remain healthy, as they return starters on both sides of the ball including NSIC First-Team honorees Conner Doherty, Chad Stoterau, and Tyler Robel.
- Northern was picked seventh overall and second in the NSIC North in the Preseason Coaches' Poll. Devin Olson and Conner Doherty were named as the NSU players to watch in 2015.
- Doherty started all 11 games in 2014 leading the team with 51 receptions for 718 yards. He tallied six touchdowns on the year, with two a piece against both Minot State and St. Cloud State. Conner tallied a season high 175 yards of offense against St. Cloud State and was named All-NSIC first team North Division, All-Super Region Three second team, and Don Hansen All-Super Region team.
- Olson started all 11 games in 2014, leading the team with 81 tackles (36 solo), 3.5 sacks, and 6.5 tackles for a loss. Devin recorded a season high 15 tackles versus Bemidji State.
- The Wolves out-scored their opponents by 4.4 points and converted 63% of the time on fourth down in 2014.
- Nicholas Truen returns after leading the team in rushing with 154 attempts for a total of 820 yards on the year. Truen averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 74.5 yards per game. Truen also ranked second on the team in total offense behind graduated quarterback Jared Jacobson.
- Conner Doherty and Zachery Barber return as the team's first and third leading receivers tallying 51 and 50 receptions respectively and averaging 65.3 and 45.8 yards per game.
- Northern returns their top three statistical threats on defense in Devin Olson, Joe Parsley, and Zach Neer. Olson led the team with 58.5 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2014. Parsley added his fair share with 56 tackles, and a team leading four interceptions. Neer was just behind with 47.5 tackles and two tackles for a loss.
About the Peacocks - Upper Iowa is led by sixth year head coach Tom Shea. Shea holds a career coaching record of 108-84-3.
- The Peacocks were picked 13th overall and 8th in the South Division in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- Alex Wahl and Trey MacTaggart were named as UIU's preseason players to watch.
- In 2014 a program record 10 student-athletes were named to the All-NSIC South Division Teams.
Last Match-Up - The Wolves and the Peacocks matched up back in 2013, where UIU came away with the 34-17 victory. Upper Iowa was able to avoid penalties in the game, while leading NSU on most fronts.
- Blaine Schmidt led the NSU defense in the game with 13 tackles and one forced fumble.
