DEFENSE LIFTS NORTHERN TO FIRST VICTORY OF THE SEASON

September 21, 2002

ABERDEEN, SD: The Northern State defense scored two second half touchdowns to seal a 28-20 road victory over Wayne State (Neb.) on Saturday night.

From the outset, the Northern State defense controlled the outcome of the football game. On Wayne State's first posession, the Wolves blocked a Brett Walker punt inside the five yard line that led to a Ronnie Cruz 2-yard run to put NSU up 7-0.

On the next Wildcat posession, the Wolves stopped their drive at the 28 yard line where Wayne Hill tackled Josh Hopwood four yards short of a first down on a fourth and six pass play.

Wayne State would get on the board on a ten-play, 76 yard drive capped by a 13-yard pass from Brett Edwards to Hopwood to even the score at seven.

On Wayne State's next posession, the Wildcats would take their first and only lead of the football game when Justin Burhoop threw a 59-yard pass to Hopwood to put WSC up 14-7.

The Wolves answers back with just over a minute left before halftime when another blocked punt gave NSU the ball at the WSC 26 yard line. From there, the offense punched in the score in four plays when Jake Parten ran around the end to tie the score at the half.

From the second half gun, Northern's defense took matters into their own hands, when, on Wayne's opening possession, Jason Carson ran back a 46-yard fumble return to put the Wolves up 20-14. Then, on the very next Wildcat possession, Carson stuck again with a 21-yard interception return for six points. With the two-point conversion, the Wolves went on top 28-20 with 12:56 to go in the third quarter.

Punts and fumbles would be a common occurance throughout the remainder of the third quarter and Northern would take a two-touchdown lead into the final period. Neither teams' offense could get anything started but Wayne inched closer to Northern when they blocked an Owen Olson punt in the end zone to put the Wildcats within eight at 28-20 with just under two minutes to go. The ensuing onside kick failed and Northern took over and ran the clock down to 0:00 to take home its first victory of the season and go 1-0 in NSIC play.

Ronnie Cruz led NSU on the ground with 20 carries for 81 yards. Jake Parten was 12-of-20 for 91 yards and one INT on the night. Josh Martin led NSU receivers with 36 yards on four catches. On the defensive side of the ball, Jason Carson notched nine tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one pass break up to lead NSU. Wayne Hill also posted nine tackles on the night, as well.

Northern tallied 110 yards rushing and 91 yards through the air on the night compared to the Wildcat's 127 on the ground and 201 passing.

NSU (1-2, 1-0 NSIC) will return home to face Concordia-St. Paul for a 2:30 matchup on Sep. 28.

-NSU-