Oct. 14, 2000

With over 800 yards of offense put up by both teams, Northern State's 49-26 win over Minnesota-Duluth was due in large part to the Wolves' defense producing five turnovers and a few key stops while one of the nation's most explosive offenses scored early and often.

Both teams scored on every possession in the first quarter to knot the score at 14-14. Northern kept scoring at that pace to hold a 28-20 lead at halftime, then took control of the game in the second half.

The Wolves scored on their first two possessions of the second half to blow the game open. Senior running back and Harlon Hill candidate Tyrone Morgan (San Fernando, Calif.), who currently leads the nation in both rushing and scoring, ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. He also caught three passes for 54 yards and  returned a kickoff for 31 yards. His 54-yard burst in the second half was Duluth's dagger, giving NSU a 42-20 cushion. But Morgan wasn't the only back to generate offense for NSU, as the Wolves pounded out 274 yards and four touchdowns on the well-kept grass at Swisher Field.

NSU's passing offense was also in high gear, as senior quarterback Nate Breske (Webster) went 12-for-21 for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Breske, who is the nation's fifth-ranked passer, hooked up with his favorite target in senior wideout Adam Syphers (Klamath Falls, Ore.) three times for 83 yards, including two touchdown connections. Breske also showed he is not afraid to tuck and run, as he ended up with 50 yards of rushing from scrambles on the day. The highlight of Breske's rushing career came on a 37-yard scoring scamper in the fourth quarter that capped the scoring and answered Duluth's last scoring drive.

NSU's offense operated in overdrive all day, racking up 467 total yards. Meanwhile, NSU's defense allowed 364 yards but came up with enough big plays to slow UMD's offensive arsenal. Junior defensive end Chris Rogers (Tallahassee, Fla.) pounced on two fumbles to stop UMD drives. Senior cornerback Torry Thompson (Layton, Utah); junior corner Jared Harward (American Fork, Utah) and sophomore linebacker Eric Rambow (Litchfield, Minn.) all came up with interceptions on the day. Senior corner Dave Snelling (Strugis) led the team in tackles with 11, including 10 solo stops.