In a game that lived up to all the hype, the No. 2-ranked USF Cougars used a dominating running attack and a terrific final drive to upend No. 4 Morningside College, 34-31, on Saturday afternoon at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls; the win marks the Cougars' seventh GPAC conference title in eight seasons (2001-2004, 2006-2008).
It was an awesome day for Cougar quarterback
Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, Conn.), as he threw for 152 yards and rushed for a team-high 152 yards and two touchdowns; his escape for eight yards on third-and-six on the final drive all but sealed the Mustangs' fate, as he gave USF a crucial first down. Overall, the Cougars rushed for 314 yards on 62 carries.
Even though the Cougars run of four straight home shutouts came to an end, they had another solid defensive effort, holding the No. 1 offense in the GPAC to only 151 total yards. Morningside quarterback Ian Gilworth, the highest-rated passer in the conference, did manage to throw for two touchdowns, but was held to 100 yards passing on the day.
Time of possession was also critical, as the Cougars held a 41:02-18:58 advantage, keeping the ball away from the Mustangs high-powered offensive attack.
In the first quarter, the Mustangs took the early advantage. USF punter
Drew Anderson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) shanked a punt for the Cougars (13 yards), giving the Mustangs possession at the USF 19. Seven plays later, Gilworth found receiver
Blake Anderson for a one-yard touchdown, making the score 7-0 at the 11:41 mark.
The Cougars then went on a 12 play, 71 yard drive, capped off by a
Ryan Lowmiller (Crystal Lake, Ill.) one-yard plunge, tying the game. C. J. Gradoville gave the Mustangs the lead back, nailing a 44-yard field goal with the wind, giving them a 10-7 lead after one quarter of play.
In the second, the Cougars took control, as a nine play, 80 yard drive ended with a Brown touchdown scamper from five yards away, making the score 14-10 with 10:39 to play. Following a blocked punt by
Trevor Holleman (New Holland, S.D.), which was recovered by
Demetrius Washington (Detroit, Mi.), the Cougars tacked on a 30-yard field goal by
Matt Lindgren (Clark, S.D.), giving them a 17-10 lead. Holleman now has four blocked punts on the year.
After the Cougars forced Morningside into a three-and-out on the next drive, the Cougars upped their lead to 14, as Brown faked a pass on fourth-and-one going to his left, and easily ran 14 yards to the house, making it 24-10 with only 1:26 until halftime.
The Mustangs got the ball on their own 41, and quickly went down the field, and when Gilworth hit Beau Kildow from three-yards out, the Mustangs cut the deficit in half, at 24-17, going to the halftime break.
The Mustangs tied the game early in the third. Ryan Oetken picked off a Brown pass that went off the hands of tight end
Scott LeBrun (Dell Rapids, S.D.), giving them the ball at the USF 25. Eight plays later, Jake Peterson ran it in from four-yards out, tying the game at 24. The Cougars then went on an 11 play, 69 yard drive, capped by a second Lindgren field goal, this time from 20-yards, giving them a 27-24 lead.
After Antuan Bloom blocked and recovered an Anderson punt, the Mustangs regained the lead in the fourth, as Joe Don Hunter ran it in for a six-yard touchdown, giving them a 31-27 lead with 14:33 remaining. From there, the Cougars methodically moved the ball down the field, and Lowmiller capped off the drive with his second score of the day, a three-yarder, making the score 34-31 with 10:12 to play.
Following a quick three-and-out by the Mustangs, the Cougars never gave the ball back, going on an 18 play, 81 yard drive that covered the final 9:01 of the game.
Erik Cimpl (Dante, S.D.) put the final nail in the coffin, rushing for a 13-yard gain on third-and-five in the last minute.
It was a dominating fourth quarter for the Cougars, as they held the ball for 13:22 of the 15 minutes.
Next up for the Cougars is the first round of the NAIA playoffs, against an opponent that will be announced Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is set for noon on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Bob Young Field.
