Playing backups most of the afternoon, the No. 1 University of Sioux Falls football team (10-0 overall, 9-0 GPAC) routed Dordt College (1-9, 0-9) 58-0 Saturday at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls, S.D.
It was another dominating effort on both sides of the ball, as the Cougars outgained the Defenders 441-108 while forcing three fumbles (two recovered).
Only 12 seconds into the contest, junior linebacker Steven Kala (Pittsburg, Calif.) picked up a Justin Knot fumble and returned it five yards for a touchdown to put USF in the lead. With the botched extra point attempt, the Cougars led 6-0.
USF added to their advantage at the 12:32 mark, as quarterback Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, Conn.) found a wide open Brad Theilen (Jr.; Nashua, Iowa) streaking down the middle of the field for a 48-yard touchdown, making the score 13-0.
In the second quarter, Ryan Lowmiller (Crystal Lake, Ill.) went off left tackle and easily found the end zone from eight yards away, giving USF a 20-0 advantage at the 12:40 mark. A Theilen touchdown run on a wide receiver reverse and two touchdown tosses from Brown to Jon Ryan (Watertown, S.D.) gave the Cougars a 41-0 lead going to halftime.
In the third quarter, Lavell Jackson (Harvey, Ill.) found a seam and broke down the sidelines untouchded for a 69 yard punt return touchdown which gave USF a 48-0 advantage.
Kicker/punter Braden Wieking (Sioux Falls, S.D.) booted a 27 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, and a 12 yard touchdown scamper by sophomore Kristian Porter (Hawarden, Iowa) capped off the scoring for the game.
Brown finished the game with 199 yards and three touchdown passes and also ran for 67 yards on two carries. Ryan caught three passes for 120 yards and two scores, while Porter had 71 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Defensively, senior Josh Cenatus (Immokalee, Fla.) recorded six tackles (2.5 for loss) while freshman Nick Bonte (Garretson, S.D.) came up with five tackles and had one sack. Kala and senior Jared Redding (Vacaville, Calif.) had fumble recoveries.
Tthe regular season finale will be a showdown to determine the GPAC champion, as USF will travel to Sioux City, Iowa, to take on No. 4 ranked Morningside College (9-0 overall, 9-0 GPAC). Kickoff will be next Saturday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m.
