Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University football team wraps up the 2018 season this weekend on the road at Minnesota Duluth. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. against the No. 6 Bulldogs from Malosky Stadium.
 
Quick Hits on the Wolves
                • The Wolves enter the final game of the 2018 season after a shutout win over Minnesota Crookston last weekend, Northern's first shutout since the 2015 season.
                • NSU is averaging 23.4 points, 121.8 yards rushing, 250.2 yards passing, and 372.0 yards of total offense per game this season.
                • The Wolves have led the league throughout the season with the fewest penalties recording just 41.
                • Northern also sits fifth in the league in passing offense and total interceptions (11).
                • Chaka Kelly leads the rushers with 478 total yards, averaging 3.1 yards per carry and 47.8 yards per game with three touchdowns.
                • Hunter Trautman has thrown for 2445 yards, averaging 244.5 yards per game with 23 touchdowns and a 54.9 completion percentage.
                • Dakota Larson and Jacob Streit have been a one-two punch for the Wolves receiving core with 835 and 654 yards respectively. Larson is averaging 17.8 yards per catch and 83.5 yards per game with seven touchdowns, while Streit is averaging 14.2 yards per reception and 65.4 yards per game with six touchdowns.
                • Jacob Wiedrich is averaging 37.6 yards per punt and 52.3 yards per kickoff this season. He is 4-of-6 in field goals attempted with a 38-yard long and 14-of-15 in PATs made.
                • Noah MacPherson leads the Wolves defense with 80 total tackles including a team high 14.5 tackles for a loss and nine sacks. The senior also has an interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.
                • Preston Droessler is second on the team with 66 tackles and 11.0 tackles for a loss of 35 yards.
                • Etienne Ezeff leads the defensive backs this season with 15 passes defended adding 32 tackles.
 
Weather Forecast
                • Saturday calls for cloudy skies with a high of 28, and SSW winds at 10 to 15 mph.
 
About the Bulldogs
                • Minnesota Duluth enters the final game of the regular season with a 10-0 record overall and the No. 3 ranking in Super Region Four and No. 6 ranking in the AFCA Top-25 Poll.
                • The Bulldogs are averaging 43.3 points, 215.3 yards rushing, 250.7 yards passing, and 466.0 yards of total offense per game.
                • The UMD defense leads the league in scoring defense (10.3), rushing defense (61.7), passing defense (130.9), and total defense (192.6).
                • Wade Sullivan leads the rushers with 523 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per rush with nine touchdowns.
                • John Larson has thrown for 1343 yards, averaging 191.9 yards per game with 11 touchdowns and a 60.5 pass completion percentage.
                • Nate Ricci leads the receivers with 403 total yards, averaging 13.4 yards per catch and 40.3 per game.
                • Gus Wedig leads the defense with 43 tackles, followed by Bill Atkins with 42.
                • Alex Helmer has a team high 12.5 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks for a loss of 59 yards.
                • UMD is led by head coach Curt Wiese in his sixth season at the helm.
 
Last Match-Up
                • The Bulldogs shutout the Wolves 41-0 from Swisher Field in 2017.
                • The Wolves recorded just 57 yards rushing and 26 yards passing for 83 yards of total offense.
                • The offense gave up three sacks and one interception in the loss.
                • Noah MacPherson and Cody Braeger led the Wolves defense with nine tackles, while Braeger notched the lone sack for NSU.
                • Northern is 13-22 all-time versus UMD, with their last victory coming in the 2015 season.
 
A Season Ago
                • The Wolves went 6-5 overall and 5-2 in the NSIC North Division in 2017, while the Bulldogs 9-3 overall and 7-0 to win the NSIC North.