WOLVES SUFFER GYPSY DAY LOSS TO CONCORDIA, 24-21

September 28, 2002

NSU's Deacon Burns attempts to evade CSP defender Tell Hammerstrom in Saturday's loss to the Golden Bears. Burns currently ranks among the top kick and punt returners in the NSIC.

ABERDEEN, SD: Northern State was defeated by Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, 24-21 in front of over 3,100 fans at Swisher Field on Gypsy Day 2002.

Northern started out with a bang as Cody Steen intercepted CSP quarterback James McNear on the Golden Bear's first play from scrimmage. The interception set up NSU's first score of the ball game as they took it 35 yards on six plays capped by a Matt Wagner burst up the middle to put the Wolves up 7-0.

The Bears answered on the very next drive after a 54 yard Joe Mapson kick return gave CSP the ball at the Northern 43 yard line. Nine plays later McNear scrambled for 12 yard and reached paydirt to knot the score at 7-7.

Northern then took a 14-7 lead on Matt Wagner's second TD of the day with 2:20 to go in the first quarter.

Concordia crept back with a Blake Duden 31-yard field goal with 6:58 left in the first half that made the Northern lead four at 14-10.

Concordia went on one more sustained drive late in the first half and scored with :45 to go in the second quarter when McNear hit Joseph Mapson for a 10-yard strike to put CSP up 17-14 at the half.

The Golden Bears held NSU scoreless in the third quarter and tacked on seven points of their own on a six-play 79-yard drive that was finished by Sam Blocker sprinting down the sideline for a 41-yard touchdown run.

Northern was able to hold the Bears off the scoreboardin the fourth and

Wolves receiver Charlie Johnston hauls in a pass from Jake Parten in the fourth quarter. The pass resulted in a 55-yard touchdown, the first of the freshman's career.

started to make its comeback late in the ball game when Jake Parten hit Charlie Johnston for a 55-yard touchdown pass to bring the Wolves within three with 3:11 to go in the game.

Northern held CSP but its offensive drive stalled on its own 26 on the next possession. CSP took over on downs and was able to take a knee to end the ball game and remain undefeated.

Ronnie Cruz led all rushers with 105 yards on the ground for the Wolves on 28 carries. James McNear paced the Bears with 57 yards on the ground.

Northern won the battle through the air with 190 yards on the day compared to CSP's 150. Jake Parten was 13-for-29 for 190 yards and one touchdown. McNear led Concordia with a 9-for-20 performance for 135 yards. He threw one touchdown and was intercepted once.

NSU's Charlie Johnston netted 93 yards receiving on three catches to claim the game high. Joe Mapson hauled in four catches for 72 yards on the day for CSP.

Jason Carson led NSU with six tackles including four tackles for a loss and one sack for ten yards. Justin Briese and Charles Williams also netted six tackles on the day for NSU.

Northern (1-3, 1-1 NSIC) will travel to face Bemidji State on Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.

-NSU-