NO. 18 MINNESOTA-DULUTH SHOWS OFFENSIVE PROWESS IN 48-22 WIN OVER WOLVES

October 26, 2002

ABERDEEN, S.D.: The Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs used 525 yards of total offense to outscore Northern State 48-22 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on Saturday at Swisher Field.

Minnesota-Duluth running back Dave Rufledt scored three touchdowns for the Bulldogs before the Wolves could even move the ball into Duluth territory as UMD held a 21-0 lead toward the end of the first quarter when the Wolves finally drove into Bulldog territory late in the first.

UMD added a Steve Battaglia touchdown on a 20-yard pass from Ricky Fritz in the second before the Wolves got on the scoreboard with an Owen Olson 25-yard field goal with 9:31 to go in the half.

Duluth tacked on a Tim Battaglia reception for a touchdown with 4:21 left in the second to give the Bulldogs a 35-3 lead at the halftime break.

Northern went three and out on its first possession of the second half while UMD added another Tim Battaglia TD on its first possession. With the failed PAT, the Bulldogs took their largest lead of the game at 41-3 with 11:01 to go in the third.

Northern pieced together a seven play, 51-yard scoring drive on its next possession capped by Charlie Johnston's first of two touchdowns on the day as he hauled in a 20-yard pass from Jake Parten to bring the score to 41-9.

On the very last play of the third quarter Jake Parten hit Travis Heitmann on a 15-yard pass play for a touchdown to complete a drive that was set up by Heitmann's blocked punt just three plays earlier.

Duluth added another touchdown in the fourth before Johnston would score again, this time on a 43-yard catch from Parten with 7:25 to go in the contest to bring the final score to 48-22.

The Bulldogs accumulated 525 yards of total offense on the day while Northern was able to gain 378 yards. The Wolves were held to 17 net yards on the ground while UMD rushed for 237 yards.

Jake Parten and Charlie Johnston both posted career days. Parten threw 21-for-41 for 350 yards and three touchdowns while Charlie Johnston caught seven balls for 144 yards and two TDs.

Stevon Ray led UMD rushing with 122 net yards while Ricky Fritz threw for 277 yards on the day. Steve Battaglia caught seven balls for UMD for 99 yards and one touchdown while his brother Tim caught six for 69 yards and two scores.

Wayne Hill led the NSU defense with a career high ten tackles, nine of which were unassisted. Justin Briese followed Hill with nine stops including one tackle for loss.

UMD defenders amassed seven sacks on the day while the Wolves were unable to gain any.

The game was the highest scoring affair for Northern since NSU lost to Winona State last season 70-35.

Northern (3-5, 3-3 NSIC) travels to UM-Crookston next weekend. UMD improves to 8-0, 6-0 NSIC.

-NSU-