Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University football team hits the road on Saturday as the head to the University of Sioux Falls for a 6 p.m. match-up with the No. 9 Cougars. Northern heads into the contest with a 1-0 record in 2017. The match-up also marks the Wolves first MidcoSN game of the season which will be aired live. 
 
The Wolves opened the year with a 23-16 victory over Wayne State. Nathan Shaw led the scoring efforts for NSU with three made field goals, including a career long of 48 yards, and two PATs.  Shaw also tied the career record for field goals made with his 26th. Northern recorded 151 yards rushing and 179 yards passing in the win.  Zech Culbreath and Chaka Kelly scored the two touchdowns for NSU, with Kelly's being the game winner with just 17 seconds remaining in regulation. Joe Gorghuber led the Wolves defense with six tackles, including one tackle for a loss of four yards. He also forced on Wildcat fumble, which was recovered by Josh Coyle. Quarterback Jake Comeaux completed over 60% of his passes, throwing for 179 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
 
About the Cougars
                • Sioux Falls returned ten starters and 34 letter winners from their NSIC Championship team in 2016.
                • Of the returning starters are All-American running back Max Mickey and All-Conference safety Josh Butler.
                • USF opened the season with 26-7 victory over Minnesota Duluth on the road.
                • Dennis Gardeck was named the NSIC defensive player of the week after recording ten tackles, including five sacks for a total loss of 25 yards.
                • Mickey rushed for 114 yards with one touchdown and a 23 yard long.
                • The Cougar offense tallied just 195 yards of total offense, while the defense recorded eight sacks, 14 tackles, and held the Bulldogs to -19 yards rushing.
                • Sioux Falls is led by head coach Jon Anderson in his first season at the helm.
 
Last Match-Up
                • The Wolves fell to the Cougars 28-10 at home in 2015.
                • Cody Kraft was the lone returning Wolf to score in the game, with a five yard reception from Kyle Lavand.
                • Nicholas Truen rushed for 108 total yards, including a 40 yard long.
                • NSU is 9-3 all-time against Sioux Falls and 0-2 in the Dosch-era. 
 
A Season Ago
                • The Wolves went 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the NSIC North Division in 2016.The Cougars went 12-1 overall and 7-0 in the NSIC South Division last season.
 
Weather Forecast
                • Sioux Falls weather shows a high of 80 degrees through the day, with a high of 59 degrees in the evening. A 30% chance of rain, with south southeast winds at 12 mph.
 
#DayByDay
                • Bennett Shabazz and Darian Ogunjemilusi were named the scout team players for the week in the first installment for this season.
  
What's Trending: #NSICFB
                • Damon Gibson (MSUM), Dennis Gardeck (USF), and Keith Schwickerath (UIU) were named the NSIC offensive, defensive, and special teams players of the week for week 1
                • Three NSIC teams were named in this week's AFCA Top-25 poll in No. 9 Sioux Falls, No. 12 Minnesota State, and No. 21 Minnesota Duluth. Bemidji State, MSU Moorhead, and Winona State are all receiving votes
                • MSUM pulled out an upset victory over Augustana, defeating the Vikings 38-7 on the Augie's home field
                • Upper Iowa, Minnesota State, and St. Cloud State also came away with road victories
                • Concordia-St. Paul shut-out Minot State 24-0
                • Upper Iowa recorded the largest margin of victory defeating Minnesota Crookston 44-7
                • Sioux Falls broke a 22-game home winning streak for Minnesota Duluth with their 26-7 victory on Thursday