Aberdeen, S.D. (October 26^th, 2019) - Northern State was unable to overcome one of the best defense's in the country as they fall to the University of Sioux Falls at home 35-13.
 
The game started off well for Northern with a 43-yard pass from Hunter Trautman to Dakota Larson on the first play of the game. But the Cougar defense made a crucial goal-line stand on fourth down to give their offense the ball on the 2-yard line.
 
Two plays later Thuro Reisdorfer burst into the NSU secondary to score a 98-yard touchdown run, giving USF a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
 
NSU began the next drive with another deep pass to Larson, this time for 42 yards. But once again the USF defense held strong, keeping NSU to a 21-yard field goal by Payton Eue to make it 7-3 late in the first quarter.
 
The deep passes to Larson were the bulk of Northern's offense early in the game. Of NSU's 125 total offensive yards in the first quarter, 85 came from the two long balls thrown by Trautman.
 
To start the scoring in the second quarter, USF quarterback Caden Walter threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Broadnax after a bad punt gifted them with great field position, making the score 14-3 in favor of the Cougars.
 
USF continued to pile it on later in the second quarter after an interception thrown by Trautman was returned for a touchdown by Tucker Stout to make the score 21-3.
 
NSU was finally able to score their first and only touchdown of the game late in the second quarter thanks to a 5-yard scamper into the end-zone by Trautman to make the score 21-10 at the half.
 
Northern's defense kept the momentum going, delivering key stops on third and fourth down in the third quarter, eventually leading to a tipped punt deep in Cougar territory. Once again, the Cougar defense held NSU to a field goal (Eue), but with the score now 21-13, there was hope that Northern could pull off the upset.
 
Those hopes were dashed however, as a failed on-side kick on the ensuing kickoff set up a 51-yard touchdown pass, making the score 28-13 just before the fourth quarter.
 
Things didn't get any better for NSU, a fumbled snap deep in their own territory lead to a 6-yard touchdown run by Thuro Reisdorfer which would be the last scoring play of the game to settle it at 35-13 in favor of the Cougars.
 
USF's defense, which came into the game ranked second in the nation in total defense and third in scoring, continued their dominance with four turnovers and just 13 points allowed. However, Northern's top receiver Dakota Larson still managed to have a great game with eight receptions for 123 yards.
 
Northern recorded 31 yards rushing and 198 yards passing for 229 yards of total offense, while Sioux Falls tallied 262 yards rushing and 182 yards passing for 444 yards of total offense. The Wolves defense held the Cougars to just 2-of-13 on third down. Offensively, NSU converted on 6-of-17 third down attempts and scored on 3-of-4 chances in the red-zone.
 
Trautman finished the game with 176 yards passing, with a 43-yard long, and one rushing touchdown. Larson tallied his second straight 100-yard game receiving, averaging 15.38 yards per reception.
 
Brayden McNeary led the Wolves defense with ten tackles, including seven solo stops, and one pass break-up. Preston Droessler forced the lone Cougar fumble of the contest and was second on the team with six tackles, while Zach Bohnenkamp led the secondary with four tackles and two pass break-ups.
 
Eue went 2-for-2 in field goals on the day, having connected with his six attempts. He also averaged 30.4 yards per punt with a 46-yard long.
 
NSU is now 4-4 on the year and have yet to deliver a win at home. They'll be looking to change that at their next game against the University of Mary on November 2^nd at Swisher Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. between the Wolves and Marauders.