The Wolves lost the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference college football contest 23-6 against the Beavers. Northern State is now 3-4 overall and 3-4 in NSIC play, while Bemidji State is 4-3 overall and 4-3 in league action.
It appeared as if the Wolves and Beavers were going to be in for an offensive shootout early as both teams scored on their opening drives. Bemidji State took a 14-6 lead after the first quarter. However, there was only one more touchdown scored by Bemidji and the Wolves gave up a safety in the third quarter to account for the only other scoring.
"I thought we played good defensively in the second half," Northern State coach Tom Dosch said. "In the second half, we did give them much in terms of first downs."
However, the Wolves offense could not crack the Beavers' defensive code. Jared Jacobson capped off the Wolves opening drive with a three-yard touchdown run with four minutes, 13 left in the first quarter. The Wolves' opening drive lasted only five plays, 74-yards and took 1:52 off the clock. NSU could not get into the end zone again. Felipe Alfaia's 27-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter was blocked. Those were the only two times the Wolves reached the red zone against a stingy Bemidji defense.
"We need to find a way was to finish off drives better and get into the end zone," Dosch said.
The NSU defense did its job in the second half as far as keeping Bemidji out of the end zone. The only points in the second half came on the safety in the third quarter, as NSU punter Adrian Krupka was deep in his own end zone and the snap rolled past him and through the end zone.
Jacobson completed 24-for-40 for 296 passing yards. Mark Hanley hauled in five catches for 86 yards. Chris Nguyen got the start for Wolves at running back for the injured John Hughes. Nguyen finished with 14 carries for 59 yards and five receptions for 54 yards.
"We did move the ball well, throwing and running," Dosch said. "I though Chris Nguyen played a good game for us."
It doesn't get easier for the Wolves as perennial power St. Cloud State will come to Aberdeen on Saturday for another NSIC game. It will be the Wolves' annual Shrine Game with a 2:30 p.m. start at Swisher Field. St. Cloud State defeated the University of Mary 55-13 on Saturday.
Northern State (3-4, 3-4 NSIC) 6 0 0 0-- 6
Bemidji State (4-3, 4-3) 14 7 2 0--23
|First Quarter|
BSU -- Dustin Kroeplin 2 run (Zach Pulkinen kick), 6:10.
NSU -- Jared Jacobson 3 run (Jacobson pass intercepted), 4:13.
BSU -- Brian Leonhardt 4 pass from Lance Rongstad (Pulkinen kick), 00:19.
|Second Quarter|
BSU -- Matt Gandrud 16 pass from Rongstad (Pulkinen kick), 5:40.
|Third Quarter|
BSU -- Team safety, 9:42.
|NSU BSU
First downs 22 22
Rushes-yards 31-38 42-199
Passing-yards 296 182
Comp-Att-Int 24-40-0 17-28-0
Total Net Yards 334 381
Total plays 71 70
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-1
Penalties-Yards 6-50 7-70
Punts-yards 2-62 3-131
Kickoffs-Ret Yds 4-84 3-76
Punt-Ret Yds 2-5 0-0
Third downs 4-12 9-15
Fourth downs 1-4 1-3
Red zone 1-2 3-3
PATs 0-0 3-3
Field goals 0-2 0-0
|INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS|
RUSHING -- Northern, Chris Nguyen 14-64, Mark Hanley 1-6, Terrelle Walker 1-1, Jared Jacobson 14-(minus 22); Bemidji, Dustin Kroeplin 26-112, Lance Rongstad 10-56, Brad Hemling 5-25, Justin Lee 1-5.
PASSING -- Northern, Jacobson 24-40-0 for 296; Bemidji, Rongstad 17-27-0 for 182, Justin Lee 0-1-0 for 0
RECEIVING -- Northern, Hanley 5-86, Nguyen 5-54, Jordan Piatz 5-51, Chris Morton 4-49, Tanner White 3-31, Walker 1-16, Ben Jastram 1-9; Bemidji, Lee 6-88, Matt Gandrud 4-41, Brian Leonhardt 3-21, Kroeplin 1-17, Beau Wakefield 1-7, Christian Metz 1-7, Kondziolka 1-1.
DEFENSE -- Northern, Logan Dosch 10 tackles, Jayson Geditz 9 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, Logan Fahnhorst 9 tackles, Mason Thorstad 8 tackles, Jalon Bibbs 8 tackles; Bemidji, Cory Crosby 14 tackles, Buckley Wright 8 tackles, Nate Adams 8 tackles, Connor Quinn 8 tackles.