Nov. 6, 1999
 
Northern State claimed sole possession of its first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title since 1992 with a dominating 56-24 victory over Moorhead State Saturday at Swisher Field. For the first time in school history, NSU went through a season undefeated in Northern Sun conference play. The Wolves (8-2) have won their last eight games this season and their last 13 conference games.

Junior running back Tyrone Morgan (Wichita Falls, Texas) proved once again why he's a viable Harlon Hill candidate, rushing for 229 yards and two touchdowns ... in the first half. That mark broke the national record for yards in a half set by 1998 Harlon Hill winner Brian Shay (226 first-half yards). Unfortunately for Morgan, his record was shortlived, as fellow NSIC team Wayne State (Neb.) had back Elroy Brown rush for 237 yards in the first half against Minnesota-Morris Saturday.

Running with his own brand of elusiveness, speed and power that sometimes just doesn't seem fair to anyone trying to bring him down, Morgan led a 42-10 Wolves onslaught at halftime. He finished with 266 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries (8.3 ypc). He also tied an NSU record for the longest scoring play from scrimmage, scampering 80 yards to the end zone in the first half. Morgan juked, ran over and hurdled defenders on his way to paydirt but just as importantly used his downfield blockers to perfection. Two of those blocks came from sophomore fullback Shane Carter (Aberdeen), who helped spring Morgan initially then burst downfield to lay another block that allowed Morgan to scoot in the last 20 yards.

Any worries about Northern letting down after the school's monumental 37-34 win over last year's conference champion Winona State last weekend were quickly laid to rest, as all of NSU's seniors wouldn't allow the team to come out of the gates flat during their last game at Swisher Field. The Wolves scored on their first six possessions of the game, while the defense forced four three-and-out possessions and picked off a pass in the first half. But on Northern's seventh possession and last drive of the half, Moorhead State forced a fumble that would turn into a touchdown on the last down of the half seven plays later. The Dragons used that momentum to silence the crowd and come out to outscore NSU 14-0 in the third quarter. But it was already too little, too late. Northern put the finishing touches on their flawless conference season by dominating play again in the fourth.

Junior wide receiver Adam Syphers (Klamath Falls, Ore.) amazed again, hauling in four catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns on the day. The diminutive wideout (5-9, 170) continues to just get it done this season with acrobatic catches that leave everyone in the stadium asking simply, "how does he do that?"

One thing becomes more clear with every passing week: these Wolves are performing like a playoff team. Whether NSU, which is currently ranked 24th in the nation by USA Football and ninth in what many consider the nation's toughest region, moves up in the Midwest Region rankings is yet to be seen. But with a Harlon Hill candidate in the backfield, a passing offense that continues to make big plays (NSU senior quarterback Nate Breske, Webster, finished with over 200 yards passing and threw for four touchdowns against MSU), and an opportunistic defense that's ranked eighth in the nation, this a team peaking at the right time that many want to watch but likely no one wants a piece of right now.