Nov. 14, 1999

... it's over?

Following Northern State's 27-20 regular season finale win over Wisconsin-Eau Claire Sunday in the Metrodome, the demeanor of Wolves camp was that of a hard-charging train with no more track to run on. After running the table in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for the first time in school history, after capturing NSU's first conference title since 1992, after winning a school record-tying nine straight games, after winning a school record-tying nine total games, after gaining national recognition both as a team and individually throughout the regular season, the playoff rug was pulled and Wolves were left behind.

Any helpless feelings toward the team's football future this season weren't shown during the game, as Northern did what it has done every game during the team's nine-game run: take care of business on the field. But the result of the game wasn't without drama.

The aerial attack of Wisconsin-Eau Claire was in rare form on the Metrodome turf early. Quarterback Eric Ostmoe and receiver Nate Thoreson connected for a beautiful 45-yard strike on UWEC's first drive set up a 3-yard touchdown run. A 44-yard touchdown strike by the same combo later in the first quarter suddenly had the Wolves looking at a 14-0 hole. After the ensuing kickoff toward the end of the first quarter was botched when NSU knocked the ball out-of-bounds at their own 2-yard line, one word no doubt best descibed the attitude of both teams: UPSET.

But instead of turning their early mishaps inward, the Wolves ruined Eau Claire's upset hopes by taking their own upset feelings out on the Blugold defense on their very next drive, a methodical and punishing 20-play, 98-yard scoring drive that ate up 11 minutes and 24 seconds. Even though still trailing, that drive turned the tide of the game and is a good example of what separates the 1999 Wolves from most of the rest of the pack. Good teams can win games on big plays. Elite teams control games and win despite the big plays that will inevitably happen against them. After NSU's emphatic drive, the Blugolds mustered less than 100 yards of offense the rest of the game (excluding 45 yards on an last-ditch scoring drive during the final 30 seconds of an already decided game), while the Wolves rang up 383 yards and all of their 27 points after the first quarter.

Harlon Hill candidate Tyrone Morgan (Wichita Falls, Texas) was a microcosm of NSU's team performance against UWEC. After a few early fumbles, Morgan regrouped and reminded everyone in the Metrodome why he's rightfully regarded as one of the best players in the country. The NSIC's Offensive MVP ended with 217 yards and two touchdowns rushing. His 63-yard touchdown burst in the fourth quarter gave NSU the Wolves a 13-point insurance policy with less than three minutes to play. But Morgan wasn't the only threat in NSU's backfield Sunday. Junior back Tefua Bloomfield (Kearns, Utah) churned out 130 yards and two touchdowns of his own.

NSU's 12th-ranked defense regrouped after a shaky start to shut down the Blugolds. Senior defensive end Mike LeBrun (Egan) registered eight tackles (seven solo) including two for loss to lead the Wolves. Junior defensive tackle Colin Steen (Brookings) was equally as big on NSU's line and in UWEC's backfield, with seven total tackles including four for loss (17 yards).