Playing their first-ever NCAA Division I opponent, the University of Sioux Falls pulled off one of the biggest victories in the programs' storied history with a 28-13 win over the University of North Dakota (3-3 overall, 1-0 Great West Conference).

USF played a sound game, not turning over the ball, while senior safety Trevor Holleman (New Holland, S.D.) intercepted two passes and Cody Cavender (Sr.; Redding, Calif.) picked off another pass. Senior quarterback Lorenzo Brown and the USF offense were able to sustain long drives as they possessed the ball for over 34 minutes and were also 10 of 15 on third downs. Brown had a superb day both on the ground and through the air, passing for 237 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 100 yards and an additional touchdown.

The Cougars received the opening kickoff and senior Lavell Jackson (Harvey, Ill.) gave the Cougars the first exciting play of the afternoon, returning the ball 39 yards. Brown then started the first drive in good field position, at the USF 45 yard line, and slowly chipped away at the Fighting Sioux defense with an intermediate passing attack. After converting on two third downs to keep the drive alive, Brown found senior tight end Scott LeBrun (Dell Rapids, S.D.) for a seven yard touchdown to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead.

USF's defense showed tough on their first trip out as they held the Fighting Sioux to a three and out, in part to a great pass break up by cornerback Cavender on a long pass to UND's speed receiver Ismael Bamba. With the ball back in their hands, the Cougars were able to pick up two first downs, but the drive stalled.

After perfectly timed hit on punt coverage by Joe Moen (Cheyenne, Wyo.), the Fighting Sioux started their drive on their own 25 yard line. After a key penalty UND faced a third and 19, when Fighting Sioux quarterback Jake Landry found Bamba for a 56 yard pass, giving UND their first, first down of the evening at the 3:08 mark in the first quarter. UND continued to move the ball well enough to set up a first and goal on USF's two yard line, but a couple of great plays by the Cougar defense forced the Fighting Sioux to settle for three points.

On the ensuing position, the Cougars were once again able to sustain a drive, as Brown hit junior receiver Jon Ryan (Watertown, S.D.) for a 10 yard gain, then completed passes of 12 and 14 yards to LeBrun. Brown then threw a dart to junior receiver Brad Theilen (Nashua, Iowa) for a 12 yard score, giving USF a 14-3 advantage.

UND attempted to start a drive following the kickoff, but on second down Holleman intercepted his fourth pass of the season, and returned it 34 yards to midfield. With a short field and a pass interference penalty aiding the drive for the Cougars, Brown once again found an open receiver, as junior receiver Alex Anderson (Sioux Falls) streaked down the middle of the field. Brown hit Anderson in stride for the 32 yard score, giving a 21-3 USF lead with 6:46 remaining in the first half. UND would find some running room on the ground to set up a field goal that made it 21-6 at halftime.

The Fighting Sioux managed their best drive of the afternoon on the opening possession of the second half. Six UND players touched the ball and Landry completed all his passes, including a 24 pass to receiver Ryan Konrath, who was able to put the ball in the end zone.

With the score 21-13, UND threatened to tie the score on their next possession, but the Cougars were able to respond to the score. Brown orchestrated the answering touchdown drive with a 36 yard run and a 32 yard pass to Anderson, before rushing the ball into the end zone for a five yard score.

UND picked up a first down on a 21 yard run by running back Mitch Sutton on the following drive, but the USF defense made adjustments and shut the drive down, as they were forced to punt to USF.

The Cougars then had their longest drive of the night, running 16 plays for 63 yards and taking 9 minutes and 17 seconds off the clock. Although USF had the ball in a first and goal situation on the one yard line, they came away pointless as a penalty and sack forced a field goal attempt that was wide left.

After both teams exchanged punts, the Fighting Sioux started a drive with 7:17 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, enough time for UND to tie the game. UND found some running room and steadily moved the ball to the USF 31 yard line on 10 plays, but Cavender would find the Cougar's second interception of the night. Cavender had two pass break-ups on the afternoon and led the Cougars in tackles with eight, including 1.5 for a loss.

Senior running back Ryan Lowmiller (Crystal Lake, Ill.) had three consecutive rushes after the turnover, forcing UND to exhaust their three timeouts, but the Fighting Sioux would have another chance, as they started what would be their last drive of the night with 3:13 on the clock. A couple of first downs and the Fighting Sioux found themselves on the Cougar's 2 yard line with a first and goal opportunity, but a false start penalty and several athletic pass break ups would lead to a third and goal. UND's Landry, desperate to find a receiver, threw his third interception of the night, this one to Holleman again, his second interception of the night.

The Cougars ran the clock out with a couple of kneel downs, giving the Cougars the victory in front of the largest crowd (7,807) to witness a USF game. The win also extended USF's win streak to 21 games.

USF will play next at the USF Sanford Sports Complex next Saturday, October 24 at 1:00 p.m.