Sept. 2, 2000

Northern State had their 2000 home opener in the palm of their hands, but let the win slip through their fingers as Augustana College defeated the Wolves 31-28 Saturday night and won its third-straight season opener between the teams.

With three minutes left in the game, Northern led 28-24 and had the Vikings down to their final timeout. But NSU couldn't muster a first down and was forced to punt. After a mishit punt and penalty, the Vikings were suddenly on NSU's doorstep with time winding down. AC quarterback Eric DeGraff hit tight end Casey Meile with 2:16 remaining for what turned out to be the final score.

Northern led for most of the game and showed a glimpse of their full offensive arsenal, putting together a viable passing game to offset the backfield heroics by senior Harlon-Hill candidate Tyrone Morgan (San Fernando, Calif.). A 25-yard strike from senior quarterback Nate Breske (Webster) to tight end Lincoln Mihaere (Las Vegas, Nev.) gave the Wolves a 21-14 edge in the second quarter. Augustana closed the gap to 21-17 going into halftime, then went up 24-21 in the third quarter. NSU's offense answered that challenge with a 31-yard scoring burst by Morgan with three minutes left in the third quarter.

Despite working out some of the first-game kinks inherent in losing seven starters on the defensive side, the Wolves sported an opportunistic defense as well, forcing five Augustana turnovers and scoring a touchdown courtesy sophomore defensive tackle Sam Mounga (Kearns, Utah), who recovered a fumble in the endzone.

Morgan finished with 35 carries for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Breske was 8-of-19 for 137 yards and one touchdown. He hit five different receivers on the night, led by senior Adam Syphers (Klamath Falls, Ore.), who hauled in two catches for 47 yards. Defensively, senior safety Cale DeHart (Sandy, Utah) led the Wolves with nine tackles.