Football | 10/14/2016 8:36:00 AM

Aberdeen, S.D. – In week three of NSIC North Division action, the Northern State University football team will play their second straight road contest versus Minnesota Duluth. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. from Malosky Stadium on Saturday.
 
The Wolves enter the weekend after another overtime heartbreaker a weekend ago, falling to No. 25 Bemidji State 31-28 on the road. NSU tallied 439 yards of total offense including 294 yards passing and 145 yards rushing with four offensive scores. The Wolves had their opportunities in the win, out-playing the Beavers in multiple statistical categories, however an interception in the end zone and a blocked field goal proved to be the Wolves demise. Northern is second in the league in sacks against the season, with only seven, due to an experienced offensive line. The Wolves led the league in interceptions this season with 12 total and three touchdowns, averaging 17.3 yards per return. Channing Barber is second in the league in passes defended this season, with eight break-ups and three interceptions, averaging 1.83 per game. NSU is second in the nation in defensive touchdowns behind Limestone College with five.
 
Northern State senior tight end, Conner Doherty recorded 69 yards receiving in Saturday's match-up with the Bemidji State. The Brookings native also notched a touchdown and a 26 yard long. In his first two catches of the afternoon, Doherty tallied 13 total yards bringing his career mark to an even 2,000. He now has 2,056 yards receiving in his four year career with the Wolves, averaging 13.4 yards per reception and 51.4 yards per game. Doherty has 19 total career touchdowns with four this season.
 
About the Bulldogs
• Minnesota Duluth enters the match-up with the Wolves holding a 5-1 record overall and 2-0 record in the NSIC North.
• The Bulldogs are also receiving votes in this week's AFCA Top-25 Poll.
• Duluth is second in the NSIC this season in total offense, averaging 536.5 yards per game with 32 touchdowns and 3,219 total yards.
• UMD quarterback Drew Bauer is also second in the league in total offense, averaging 348.2 yards per game with 459 rushing yards and 1,620 passing yards.
• Beau Bates sits atop the Bulldog defense, as the only player over 30 total tackles with 47 this season. He also has 9.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles
• Minnesota Duluth is led by head coach Curt Wiese in his fourth season with the program. He holds a career record of 33-6 with UMD.
 
Last Match-Up
• The Wolves defeated the No. 18 Bulldogs 23-15 from Swisher Field in 2015.
• The win helped the Wolves secure a portion of the NSIC North Division crown.
• It was a team effort for NSU as they tallied 279 yards of total offense, with no one player breaking the 100 yard mark either rushing or receiving
• Tyson Zemlicka and Channing Barber led the Northern defense with ten and nine tackles respectively, while each notched an interception.
• Northern State is 13-20 all-time versus Minnesota Duluth.
 
A Season Ago
• Northern went 6-5 overall and 6-1 in the NSIC North in 2015, while Minnesota Duluth went 8-3 overall and 6-1 in the North Division.
 
Weather Forecast
• Saturday calls for cloudy skies with a high of 63 and a low of 50, with a 90% chance of rain and southwest winds at 10-20 mph.
 
#AllIn
• Nick Kayl (WR) and Jacob Cross (DE) were named the offensive and defensive Scout Team Players of the Week for the Wolves.
 
#NSICFB: What's Trending
• Sioux Falls leads the nation in total offense (585 yds/g), rushing per game (371), and yards per play (7.78)
• The NSIC houses three teams on this week's AFCA Top-25 Poll in No. 6 Sioux Falls, No. 22 Bemidji State, and (RV) Minnesota Duluth
• Max Mickey (USF), Mike Imperiale (WSU), and Mason Hoffer (BSU) were named the offensive, defensive, and special teams players of the week
• A total of three Cougars rushed for over 100 yards in their 48-28 win over Southwest Minnesota State and recorded their 23rd straight winning season
• Minnesota State recorded the largest margin of victory defeating Concordia-St. Paul 45-10
• Other wins on the week include Augustana over Wayne (44-31), Minnesota Duluth over Minot State (38-7), St. Cloud State over U-Mary (41-7), Bemidji over Northern (31-28), Winona State over Upper Iowa (27-13), Sioux Falls over Southwest (48-28), and MSU Moorhead over Crookston (41-12)