In what was a dominating performance by the defense and special teams, the No. 2-ranked Sioux Falls football team gave head coach
Kalen DeBoer his 50th career victory, cruising past No. 9-ranked Langston University (Okla.), 50-13, in the NAIA Championship Series quarterfinal round Saturday afternoon at Bob Young Field.
It marks the 35th consecutive home victory for the Cougars, who advance to the NAIA semifinals for the fourth-consecutive season and the seventh time in eight years (2001-2003, and 2005-2008).
Defensively, USF held the Lions to only 150 total yards (13 rushing) and forced four turnovers (three interceptions), including a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown by junior defensive back
Trevor Holleman (New Holland, S.D.), who was named defensive player of the game for the second-straight week.
Special teams also contributed with two punt blocks, one of which was recovered in the end zone by
Adam Lopez (Gillette, Wyo.) for a touchdown.
The Cougars again dominated on the ground, racking up 265 yards on 55 carries, including the first 100-yard game of the season for senior tailback
Erik Cimpl (Dante, S.D.). Running back
Ismael Small (Belle Glade, Fla.) came away with 68 yards on the ground, while quarterback
Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, Conn.) rushed for 36 yards and two touchdowns. For their efforts, the members of the USF offensive line were voted the offensive players of the game.
Following an interception by
Dan Schmeichel (Odessa, Minn.) on Langston's second drive,
Ryan Lowmiller (Crystal Lake, Ill.) pounded it in from one yard out, giving the Cougars a 7-0 lead with 9:23 to play. Only 1:51 later, the Cougars added to their advantage, as Lopez recovered the Clare McDonald blocked punt in the end zone.
Following a
Matt Lindgren (Clark, S.D.) 30-yard field goal, the Lions got their first touchdown of the day, as Remington Cooper hauled in a Danny Lowery pass deep down the middle of the field and eluded several defenders for a 51-yard touchdown reception, making it 17-6 with 2:46 remaining in the first quarter.
The Cougars responded on their ensuing drive, as Brown hooked up with wideout
Jon Ryan (Watertown, S.D.) for a 48-yard touchdown on 2nd and 45, giving them a 24-6 lead after one quarter of play.
In the second quarter, the Cougars added to their sizable lead. One play after USF defensive lineman
Brandon Koolstra (Sioux City, Iowa) recovered a Lowery fumble, Brown went up top to Ryan again, this time from 27 yards out, making the score 30-6 with 13:09 until halftime. With only seven seconds to play, the Cougars punctuated a 17 play, 94-yard drive that lasted 9:02 as Brown dove into the end zone behind his offensive line for a 37-6 halftime lead.
After USF return specialist
Lavell Jackson (Harvey, Ill.) opened the third quarter by returning the opening kickoff 53 yards to the Lion 41, USF capped off a five-play drive with a Brown nine-yard touchdown scramble off the left side, increasing the advantage to 44-6. Holleman then finished the scoring, as he returned a Lowery interception 42 yards for a touchdown, giving them a 50-6 lead with 7:02 to play in the frame. It was his second game in a row with an interception returned for a touchdown.
In the fourth, the Lions produced the only touchdown, as linebacker Rodrick Jenkins picked off a
Bret Beachner (Lee's Summit, Mo.) pass and ran it back 92 yards for a touchdown, making the score 50-13.
Next Saturday's NAIA semifinal game is set for noon on Dec. 6 in Sioux Falls. Check USFCougars.com Sunday to find out more information on USF's opponent.
