Sept. 16, 2000

Concordia University-St. Paul found out what happens when you wake a sleeping wolf.

The Golden Bears came to Aberdeen Saturday with a 2-0 record and thoughts of upsetting the defending Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference champion Wolves. After holding NSU to a three-and-out possession to open the game, C-SP came out firing on its first play from scrimmage, hooking up on a 63-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Mike Allen to wideout Nick Johnson. But upset thoughts were shortlived, as NSU controlled the rest of the game for a convincing 41-14 victory.

The stunned Wolves regrouped defensively after the broken coverage that allowed the big first play. In the second quarter, the offense woke up and for all intents and purposes ended the game in that frame with a 28-point outburst to go into the half with a comfortable 28-7 lead.

Senior running back and Harlon Hill candidate Tyrone Morgan (San Fernando, Calif.) had good numbers, with 106 yards rushing and a touchdown, but the day belonged to NSU's passing game, led by the senior connection of quarterback Nate Breske (Webster) to wideout Adam Syphers (Klamath Falls, Ore.). Syphers had a career day, hauling in six catches for a staggering 174 yards and even more impressive four touchdowns. Breske ended 10-for-16 for 244 yards and five passing touchdowns. In all, the Wolves' offense compiled 421 yards on the day and were able to rest Morgan for most of the fourth quarter with the game in hand. Morgan is now 144 yards away from breaking NSU's career rushing record of 4,121 yards set by Jim Kretchman from 1952-55.

Two of Syphers' scores came in NSU's big second quarter, with Breske floating it up there and the 5-foot-9 receiver doing the rest. True freshman quarterback Jarod Larson (Cresbard) got clean-up duty in the fourth quarter, as NSU was afforded the luxury to get younger players game experience in a lopsided game.

Defensively, senior middle linebacker Jesse Gingras (Sturgis) came up big, with nine solo and one assisted tackle on the day. Many of his stops were what is becoming the Gingras trademark; shooting a gap and stuffing a running play with a stunning hit all 3,000 in attendance could hear and appreciate.

NSU (2-1 overall, 1-0 NSIC) travels to face Bemidji State next Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.