WOLVES' BALANCED ATTACK TOO MUCH FOR SOUTHWEST STATE

Oct. 6, 2001

Northern State ran, passed and kicked its way to a decisive 36-18 win at Southwest State Saturday afternoon.

Not only was the win the program's 10th straight over SSU, it also helped ease upset stomachs after last week's one-point, double-overtime homecoming loss. This week the Wolves were able to play the spoiler role, defeating the Mustangs during SSU homecoming weekend.

NSU's offense used textbook balance, rushing 32 times and passing 35 to rack up 478 total yards. On the ground, senior back Tefua Bloomfield (Kearns, Utah) rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. Through the air, junior quarterback Scott Ackley (Stockton, Calif.) hit seven receivers in going 14-for-35 for two touchdowns and 331 yards. Junior wideout Jimmy Johnson (Lodi, Calif.) led the team in receiving with four catches for 124 yards and one touchdown. Senior tight end Josh Graves (Volga, S.D.), normally known for his blocking, showed his versatility by hauling in NSU's other touchdown pass.

The team also incorporated the kicking game, as sophomore left-footer Owen Olson (Denver, Colo.) went 3-for-3 in field goals.

Defensively, senior linebacker Booker T. Bell III (Diamond Bar, Calif.) led the team with 11 tackles, including eight solos.

After trailing for most of the first half, Northern scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the second quarter to take a 23-10 lead into halftime. The Mustangs kept within striking distance throughout the third quarter, but Ackley's 21-yard scoring strike to former San Joaquin Delta College teammate Johnson a minute into the fourth gave the team a three-score insurance policy. NSU's defense didn't need it, however, as the Wolves rendered the Mustangs scoreless in the fourth.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak for NSU and evened the teams' records at 2-4 overall and 2-2 in the NSIC. NSU returns home to face Minnesota-Morris Oct. 13. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. at Swisher Field.