Wolves blanked at St. Cloud State

Sept. 8, 2001

Northern State's offense continued to struggle in a 24-0 loss at St. Cloud State Saturday afternoon.

The Wolves (0-2) gained just 137 total yards of offense, in comparison to SCSU's 352. However, the Wolves' defense kept the team in the game the first half, trailing only 7-0 going into the third quarter.

NSU senior Cody Jamison (Murray, Utah) sparked the team to begin the second half with a 40-yard kickoff return. The Wolves would penetrate to the SCSU 28-yard line before the Husky's ended the threat in emphatic fashion: a 61-yard interception return to the NSU 14. St. Cloud would tack on a field goal, then scored touchdowns on its two ensuing drives to put the game out of reach.

Senior running back Tefua Bloomfield (Kearns, Utah) led NSU on the ground with 21 carries for 78 yards. Junior quarterbacks Jake Parten (Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa) and Scott Ackley (San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton Calif.) combined for to go 9-of-23 for 67 yards and one interception. Senior tight end Lalo Otuafi (Fernley, Nev.) led the team in receiving, catching four balls for 34 yards. Defensively, junior middle linebacker Sam Mounga (Kearns, Utah) led the way with nine tackles.

SCSU (1-1) quarterback Keith Heckendorf threw for 248 yards and spread the ball to eight receivers.

Northern opens its conference season next week at home against Wayne State (Neb.). The game will also serve as the kickoff to NSU's year-long centennial celebration.