WOLVES ROUND UP MUSTANGS IN 38-28 VICTORY

October 12, 2002

ABERDEEN, S.D.: The Northern State Wolves scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to guide them to their second win of the season in a 38-28 victory over Southwest State Saturday in Aberdeen.

Southwest State scored from its second play from scrimmage when Rob Fagnan hit Ken Sather on a 69-yard screen pass to give the Mustangs a 7-0 advantage.

With 3:30 left in the first quarter, Northern went on one of its most sustained drives of the season going 85 yards on 11 played and capping it off with a 7-yard run by Ronnie Cruz.

Northern scored again midway through the second quarter on another nice drive (6 plays, 74 yards) with the scoring play coming on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jake Parten to freshman Charlie Johnston.

SSU matched the score on its next drive when Rob Fagnan hurt the Wolves on yet another long pass play. This time it was Fagnan to Aaron Strommer on a 65-yard strike to knot the score at 14-14.

The Mustangs would get on the board once more before half as a fake punt by the Wolves failed and gave SSU the ball at the NSU 33 yard line. Southwest needed just three plays to see Ken Sather grab a 33-yard touchdown pass from Fagnan. SSU's PAT attempt failed and gave them a 20-14 lead at the break.

Northern came out of the locker room ready to play in the second half as, on its first drive of the half, scored on a 27-yard field goal by Owen Olson and then tacked on 21 more unanswered points to complete its 24-0 run.

The next NSU score came with 3:54 left in the third on a Parten to Johnston 12-yard pass.

In the fourth, the Wolves scored as Jake Parten sprinted for a 36-yard run to make the score 31-20 Wolves.

NSU finished its run with 7:20 to go in the contest as Parten hit Ben Grinnell on a 55-yard pass down the sideline for a touchdown to give NSU the advantage at 38-20.

Southwest added a late touchdown but the Wolves were able to hold on for the ten-point victory.

NSU set season highs in team rushing, passing and offense. They gained 356 yards on the ground, 192 yards through the air and 520 total yards on the game. SSU rushed for just 27 yards on the game while they netted 330 yards through the air. The Mustangs could only manage 122 yards of total offense in the second half.

NSU's leading rusher, Deacon Burns, gained a career high 148 yards on the night while Ronnie Cruz finished with 91.

Jake Parten went 11-for-23 passing for 192 yards and three touchdowns. He also gained 59 yards on the ground for NSU on the evening.

Travis Heitmann led NSU's receivers with 73 yards receiving. Ben Grinnell netted 60 yards receiving and one touchdown while Charlie Johnston collected 34 yards and two touchdowns.

Ken Sather led SSU's running game with 45 yards. Rob Fagnan finished going 25-for-47 with one interception and 330 yards passing. He connected for four touchdowns on the night. Ken Sather and Aaron Strommer each recorded over 100-yards receiving for SSU. Sather with 136 yards and Strommer with a career high 155 yards.

The win marks NSU's 11th straight over Southwest. Northern advances to 2-4 on the year and 2-2 in the NSIC while SSU drops to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the league.

For more information, please see the statistics link on the football home page.

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