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Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University football team dropped their 2024 home opener to Sioux Falls Saturday evening from Dacotah Bank Stadium. The Wolves trailed early, following a 20-point first quarter by the Cougars.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 10, USF 34
Records: NSU 0-2 (0-1 NSIC), USF 2-0 (1-0 NSIC)
Attendance: 5211
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Northern tallied all ten of their points in the second half, notching a field goal in the third and touchdown in the fourth
- Sioux Falls recorded 20 points in the first and a pair of touchdowns in the second and third
- Jeremy Caruso put the Wolves on the board with seconds remaining in the third quarter, hitting a 41-yard field goal
- Hank Kraft added a touchdown in the fourth off a 6-yard pass by Colton Hackel
- The Wolves recorded a game high 131 yards rushing, as well as 161 yards passing, for 292 yards of total offense
- In the return game, NSU notched 219 kick return yards and 19 punt return yards, averaging 21.5 yards per kickoff and 9.5 yards per punt
- The Wolves defense held the Cougars to 5-of-13 on third down, however USF scored five of the six times they entered the red zone
- Daniel Britt threw for 68 yards, while Colton Hackel tallied 63 yards passing and one touchdown
- Hank Kraft led the rushers with 80 total yards, followed by Britt and Hackel with 33 and 29 respectively
- Ty Wiley led the receiving front with 41 total yards, averaging 10.3 yards per reception, and added 129 yards on kick returns
- The NSU defense was led by Jake Adams with wight tackles, followed by Trevor Johnson with seven, including one tackle for a loss
- Kegan Mountain recorded the team's one interception, which came on the Cougars third drive of the contest
- Tom Ellard led the kicking game, averaging 46.7 yards per punt with a 58-yard long; 10.3 yards per punt more than USF's Scott Dickson
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Hank Kraft: 80 yards rushing, 37-yard long, 5.7 yards per carry
Jake Adams: 8 tackles, 3 solo tackles
Tom Ellard: 140 yards punting, 46.7 yards per punt, 58-yard long
Ty Wiley: 129 kick return yards, 30-yard long, 41 yards receiving
UP NEXT
Northern State hits the road next weekend for a 2-game road trip. They will face Minot State on September 14 at 2 p.m. and Augustana on September 21 at 1 p.m. in a pair of NSIC contests.
