Sept. 18, 1999

Northern State dominated conference newcomer Concordia-St. Paul 42-17 in both teams' conference opener at C-SP's Griffin Stadium Saturday.

Junior running back Tyrone Morgan (Wichita Falls, Texas) was once again in rare Morgan form, rushing 17 times for 196 yards and three touchowns ... enough to earn him NSIC Player of the Week Honors. Even more impressive than his numbers alone -- Morgan averaged 11.5 yards per carry -- are that he did all his damage in a little more than two quarters' work. NSU rested its All-American candidate after the first drive in the third quarter when the game was already well in hand.

In all, NSU's ground game racked up nearly 300 yards and with the help of a few big pass plays, the Wolves put the game out of reach in the first half at 28-3. Sophomore back Shane Carter (Aberdeen) led NSU's receiving attack with three receptions for 43 yards and one touchdown. Senior defensive lineman Mike LeBrun (Egan) led the team eight tackles, while senior cornerback Dan Hadley (Box Elder, S.D.) and senior middle linebacker Naki Angilau (Kearns, Utah) each collected an interception. Senior kicker/punter Pete Peterson (Aberdeen) booted a career-long 71-yard punt during the game.

All was not good news for the team, however. Senior running back and team captain Troy Hoff (Scotland) went down with a serious knee injury in the first half and is likely done for the season. Hoff earned USA Football national special teams player of the week honors on opening week for his five return, 217-yard, one touchdown performance against Augustana College. The USA Football pre-season All-American is also a two-time GTE Academic All America District VII Third Team recipient, a multiple-time all-conference and academic all-conference selection and a member of the national 1999 Farm Team sponsored by Successful Farming magazine.