Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University football team took things down to the wire taking the 23-16 lead with 17 seconds left to play. The score stood as the Wolves improved to 1-0 on the year. Senior kicker Nathan Shaw led the team with 11 points while reaching career milestone along the way.
 
Wayne State scored first via field goal at the 11:39 mark in the first quarter, however the Wolves answered back with two field goals in the second off the foot of senior Nathan Shaw. Shaw first connected with a 30-yard make just under ten minutes, and added a 20-yard make just five minutes later. The Wildcats quickly regained the 10-6 lead with their first touchdown of the win, however Shaw kept the Wolves in striking distance with a career performance. The senior literally knocked one through the uprights as the ball bounced off the left goal post, with a career long field goal of 48 yards. The made attempt also marked the 26^th of his career, tying him with the school record set by Owen Olson in 2003.
 
The two teams entered the locker at the half, with the Wildcats leading 10-9. Wayne State opened the second half with their second touchdown of the evening, however it would be their final score in the game. Jake Comeaux connected with Zech Culbreath for a 29 yard touchdown at the 2:37 mark in the third quarter, tying the game at 16-all. The two teams went scoreless through a majority of the fourth, before the Wolves took possession with just 2:30 remaining in regulation. Comeaux opened the drive with a big 31 yard run, followed by a 20 yard completion to Raekwon Robinson which put NSU on the Wayne State 13-yardline. The rest was history, as Chaka Kelly recorded his first touchdown of the season as the clock read 17 seconds. The Wildcats kept the ball alive as the clock clicked down, however the Wolves defense was able to hold them at bay.
 
The Wolves tallied 330 yards of total offense, including a game leading 151 yards rushing. On offense NSU was able to convert on both fourth down attempts and was perfect on red zone scoring chances with two touchdowns and a field goal.
 
In the first start of his Northern State career, Jake Comeaux threw for 179 yards and one touchdown. He added a team second best 42 yards rushing with a 31 yard long. Nicholas Truen led the team on the ground with 46 yards rushing, while Chaka Kelly notched 27 and the game winning touchdown. Zech Culbreath led the receivers with 37 yards on three receptions and one touchdown.
 
A total of four Wolves recorded five tackles in the win including Etienne Ezeff, Alex Gray, Joe Gorghuber, and Cody Braeger. Ezeff and Braeger each notched four solo stops, while Ezeff tallied a fumble recovery and two pass breakups. Braeger recorded the team's long tackle for a loss of three yards and added a pass breakup.
 
In addition to his three made field goals in the second quarter, Shaw recorded 319 yards off five kickoffs. Jacob Wiedrich added 201 yards on six punts with a 45 yard long. Zachery Barber and Riley Frantzen led the team in the return game. Frantzen recorded 32 yards on three punt returns with a 16 yard long, while Barber notched 71 yards on three kick returns with a 33 yard long.
 
The Wolves return to action next Saturday on the road at Sioux Falls. The Wolves and Cougars will kick-off at 6 p.m. from Sioux Falls.