The University of Sioux Falls football team scored a school-record 76 points against Dana College in Blair, Neb. Saturday afternoon, bettering the previous mark of 72. The Cougar defense also played well, holding the Vikings (0-2) to a field goal in the 76-3 victory.
Powering the second victory of young USF (2-0) season was a three touchdown performance by senior running back Ryan Lowmiller (Crystal Lake, Ill.). Lowmiller totaled 52 rushing yards and his day's production came on only 12 carries. Freshman tight end Austin Vanhove (Garretson, S.D.) also had a multi-touchdown game, scoring twice on only three receptions that netted 67 yards.
The defense started the day for USF with a forced fumble caused by senior linebacker Marlon Lobban (Pittsburg, Calif.) reading a pitch pay perfectly. On the next play and the first offensive snap of the game, senior quarterback Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, Conn.) hit Vanhove for his first touchdown of the day on a 19 yard dart across the middle of the field.
On the next series for Dana, they were put in an opportunistic position to score their first points of the season due to a botched punt attempt by USF. Starting the drive at the 13 yard line the Cougar defense held their ground and forced a 24 yard field goal attempt that Viking kicker Eric Kusy knocked through the uprights.
After the Viking offense ran one play on the following drive, junior saftey Dan Schmeichel (Odessa, Minn.) jumped infront of a pass and returned the interception, with the help of several key blocks, 34 yards for a touchdown. Ending the first half was a blocked Dana punt that senior defensive back Trevor Holleman (New Holland) picked up and returned 32 yards for a touchdown to give USF a 55-3 lead going into the half. Later in the second half Dustin Bergmeier (Omaha, Neb.) would pick up a fumble and scamper 41 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, giving the defense two touchdowns on the day.
With the Cougar reserve players in for the entire second half, many players saw their first action of the season. Freshman Lance Lawson ran the second team offense well and threw his second touchdown pass of the year, hitting freshman receiver Brock Madsen (Raymond, Minn.) in the back of the end zone for Madsen's first collegiate touchdown. Freshman Mitch Dunbar (Cambridge, Minn.) showed ability to make moves, rushing for 37 yards and adding the school-record points on a fourth quarter touchdown.
Also making his way into the record books today is freshman kicker Braden Wieking (Sioux Falls, S.D.) who tied the school record for point-after-touchdown conversions, a record that was set last year against Dana.
USF will play their next game at USF Sanford Complex on September 19 against Hastings College with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. The Broncos are 3-0 after defeating Briar Cliff (1-1) 31-20 on Saturday.
