The University of Sioux Falls football team improved to 3-0 on the season with a 42-19 victory over Hastings College (3-1) Saturday afternoon at the USF Sanford Sports Complex.
Senior quarterback Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, Conn.) had a standout day as he totaled 315 of the offense's 372 total yards. Brown was also responsible for five touchdowns on the day, two rushing and three passing. Junior receiver Jon Ryan (Watertown, S.D.) caught two of Brown's touchdown tosses and added 99 receiving yards.
Brown started the scoring with a five yard scamper at the 11 minute mark in the first quarter to put USF on top 7-0. Brown then reeled off two touchdown passes in three minutes during the second quarter, 24 and 12 yard throws to Ryan. The 21-0 score was short lived, as the Broncos scored their first touchdown on the next drive with a 41 yard pass.
Brown responded on the ensuing drive with a rush for 33 yards, then a 24 yard pass to junior receiver Brad Theilen (Nashua, Iowa), and finishing the drive off with a eight yard touchdown run.
The special teams unit created the next touchdown as Joe Moen (Jr.; Cheyenne, Wyo.) blocked a Hastings punt that was picked up by freshman Michael Frericks (Crystal Lakes, Ill.) and returned 16 yards for the score.
On the second drive of the second half Brown drove the team down the field, completing four of five passes for 37 yards, including a five yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Scott LeBrun (Dell Rapid, S.D.).
After gaining a 42-7 lead, Hastings added a 16 yard touchdown reception, a 43 yard field goal and a high snap by USF gave the Broncos a safety to make the score final score 42-19.
Defensive lineman Brandon Koolstra (Jr.; Sioux City, Iowa) was credited with one of four Cougar quarterback sacks today. Koolstra has recorded a sack in all three games played this season. Senior Nate Everett (Cheyenne, Wyo.) led the team with 6.5 tackles. Although the Cougar defense only allowed 13 rushing yards, the Hastings offense spread the field to gain 279 pass yards. It is the most pass yards given up since a playoff matchup with St. Xavier (Ill.) in 2007.
USF will travel to Seward, Neb. to play Concordia University (Neb.) (1-2 Overall, 1-2 GPAC) next Saturday, September 26 at 1:00 p.m. The Bulldogs earned their first victory of the season today with a 21-10 win over Briar Cliff.
