Sept. 30, 2000

It was to be Tyrone Morgan's day, but to the delight of the 5,000-plus in attendance for Northern State University's homecoming game Saturday, Morgan was one of many stars to shine for the Wolves as they demolished Southwest State 56-17 at Swisher Field in Aberdeen, S.D.

Before the game, the senior back and school's first-ever Harlon Hill national finalist was presented a game ball for breaking Northern State's career rushing mark last week at Bemidji State. As former Wolves' career rushing leader Jim Kretchman -- who held the record for 45 years at 4,121 yards -- ceremoniously handed Morgan last week's game ball, he also passed the torch of most prolific rusher in school history to Morgan, who now holds every school rushing record in just his third year with the program.

Morgan kept up his part, running roughshod through the Mustangs' defense in the first half to help the Wolves take command early. The San Fernando, Calif., native had four rushes for 20-or more yards in the first half, including an 81-yard touchddown burst which his own school record for longest rushing touchdown (old mark was 80 yards, held by Morgan and two other NSU backs). After rushing for 224 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in the first half, Morgan played only sparingly in the second half as the Wolves had the game well in-hand. Morgan finished the day with 20 carries for 228 yards.

But Morgan was far from being the only Wolves' player to turn in an outstanding performance Saturday. Senior quarterback Nate Breske (Webster) lit up the Mustangs' secondary on 12-of-17 passing for 263 yards and three touchdowns. But he wasn't through there, also rushing for a 16-yard touchdown and showing surprising mobility and elusiveness all day. His favorite target on the day was senior 5-8 receiver Adam Syphers (Klamath Falls, Ore.), who caught six Breske passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. The two hooked up on an 80-yard scoring play in the third quarter to put NSU up 42-3.

The Wolves were never threatened in the game, with NSU's defense setting the tone on the third play of the game. Sophomore linebacker Eric Rambow (Litchfield, Minn.), who recorded his first career interception last week, came up big again, laying a ferocious hit on SSU quarterback Tyler Engquist, who fumbled. The ball squirted backwards 18 yards to SSU's endzone, where defensive lineman Jeremy Jehangiri (Costa Mesa, Calif.) plopped on it for a defensive touchdown. SSU never recovered, and with Morgan's running and Breske's passing were down 35-0 at the half with no answers.

Northern's defense gave up 308 yards of offense, but came up with enough big plays to limit SSU's scoring chances. Senior cornerback Dave Snelling (Sturgis) picked off a pass in the end zone to halt an SSU threat in the first half, and junior corner Jared Harward (American Fork, Utah) recorded his first career pick with the Wolves in the end zone on an SSU red zone attack. Snelling also led the Wolves in tackles, registering eight on the day, including seven solo stops. Harward also shined on special teams as NSU's punter, seeing limited action with the Wolves' explosive offense racking up 574 yards on the day, but nonetheless making the most of his opportunities. Harward punted three times with a 47.3-yard average and a long punt of 58 yards.

After a stinging loss at Bemidji State last week, the Wolves were awarded a pleasant surprise from the same team today when public address announced Harry Jasinski announced that the Beavers lost 19-8 today at Concordia-St. Paul. That means the Wolves' quest for back-to-back Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championships fell back into their hands today. With perennial conference powers Minnesota-Duluth and Winona State both coming to Aberdeen this year, the stage is set for NSU fans to catch another very exciting conference finish in their own backyard.