Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University football team edged passed St. Cloud State in the eighth game of the season, 29-28 from Swisher Field. Down four starters due to injury the Wolves rallied as a team to improve to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the NSIC North, handing the Huskies their first North Division loss of the season.
 
The Wolves fell behind on the Huskies first drive of the game, however Zachery Barber and Christian McAlvain answered with a five yard touchdown pass to tie things at 7-all at the nine minute mark of the first quarter. The NSU defense made quick work of SCSU and the Wolves came back to take the lead off Nathan Shaw's 23 yard field goa. The lead however did not last long, with the Huskies adding their second touchdown of the game in the final seconds of the quarter.
 
Northern did not let down, taking the lead once again in the second. McAlvain tallied his second passing score of the game, connecting with Conner Doherty for a 12 yard reception. The Huskies and Wolves traded scores to finish out the first half, with a SCSU touchdown and Shaw's second field goal of the game. Northern entered the locker room down 21-20, and would kick-off to begin the final 30 minutes of action.
 
The two team's traded downs through the opening minutes of the third quarter however things heated up as the clock dwindled down. St. Cloud added to their lead with a nine yard touchdown run, and the scoreboard read 28-20. Nicholas Truen answered with his own rushing touchdown just one minute later, however the Wolves were unable to execute the 2-point conversion, still trailing 28-26. Shaw who has battle injury throughout the season, once again stepped up for the Wolves knocking down his third and final field goal with under two minutes remaining in the third. The kick gave the Wolves the 29-28 lead which would hold through the fourth quarter.
 
McAlvain notched his first 300 yard passing game of the season, hitting the mark exactly. The Wolves senior completed 20-of-37 attempts with a 56 yard long to Taylor Houchin. Houchin led the Wolves receivers with 126 yards on five catches, including the opening 35 yard reception. Truen was the leading rusher for NSU notching his third 100-yard rushing game of the season with 106. The tailback averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Chaka Kelly followed with a season high 76 yards, averaging 9.5 yards per carry with a 52 yard long.
 
Z. Barber was second on the team with 70 yards receiving, while redshirt freshman Isaac Hodge notched his first career catches for a total of 19 yards. McAlvain and Stephen Erlandson rounded out the rushing attack for the Wolves with 34 and 25 yards respectively, while Truen notched a team third best 46 yards receiving. Zech Culbreath and Conner Doherty each added 35 yards receiving to the team total of 300 in the win.
 
Quest Parham led the Northern defense with seven tackles, followed by Alex Gray and Chad Stoterau with six tackles each. Channing Barber held SCSU leading receiver Jameson Parsons to just 63 yards in the game, and notched two break-ups giving him the league lead with 14 total passes defended this season. Barber was also one of four Wolves with a team third best four tackles.
 
Noah Macpherson forced the Huskies only fumble of the game, which was recovered by Matt Thorson. A total of 13 Wolves notched multiple tackles in the game, while five tallied at least one pass breakup. Z. Barber recorded the team's only kickoff return of the game, which was a 13 yard gain. Jacob Wiedrich averaged 33.0 yards per punt, while Nathan Shaw averaged 58.0 yards per kickoff.
 
Northern will return to action next Saturday from Bismarck, as they face off against U-Mary at 1 p.m.