October 25, 2003

Aberdeen, S.D. - Five second half turnovers by Northern State would be more than the Wolves could overcome in Saturday afternoon's NSIC-tilt with Bemidji State as the Beavers left town 48-42 winners over NSU.

Northern State jumped all over BSU early going up 21-0 with 7:31 left in the first quarter. The Beavers answered, however, as they scored a touchdown with 2:56 left in the period and followed with another just before the end of the first quarter to pull within seven, 21-14.

The teams exchanged touchdowns for the remainder of the half as NSU went to the locker room up 35-28.

The second half would be the demise of NSU's day as BSU pulled within one on the tenth drive of the second half on an eight play, 31 yard drive to make the score 35-34 with a PAT sailing wide left.

Northern went back up by eight 1:00 into the fourth quarter when Toby Korrodi found Deacon Burns streaking across the middle for a score to give NSU a 42-34 advantage.

The Beaver's next drive pulled them within two but a Ronnie Cruz fumble on the ensuing kickoff gave BSU the ball at the NSU 34 yard line. Bemidji State was able to use the field position and take its first lead of the game with 10:38 to go in the contest, 48-42.

Northern's remaining drives stalled by punt, fumble, punt, and finally an interception deep in Bemidji State territory to end the game with BSU on top.

GAME NOTES:

-NSU's Ronnie Cruz went over 1,000 yards on the season with an 87-yard day on 23 carries.

-Toby Korrodi completed just 21-of-56 passes for 421 yards and four touchdowns. The freshman also threw four interceptions in the game.

-NSU's offense finished with 569 total yards of offense while BSU managed 327 yards.

-NSU's Charlie Johnston caught five passes for 167 yards and a touchdown.

-Steve Espinoza led NSU's defense with 14 tackles. Shawn Warren had two interceptions and broke up three passes for the Wolves' secondary.

-BSU's Eddie Acosta rushed 30 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Beaver quarterback Jason Smith came off of the bench to go 20-of-34 passing for 198 yards and four touchdowns.

-The BSU marks its fourth in a row over NSU.

-Northern State (5-3, 3-2 NSIC) plays at MSU Moorhead on Nov. 1.

Complete Game Statistics