Playing under the lights for the first time in Bob Young Field's three year history, the University of Sioux Falls pieced together an impressive 44-3 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan University (0-1).
The game started with a stiff showing of defense by both squads not allowing first downs on the first few drives. Following a three-and-out by the Cougars, NWU blocked a USF punt and recovered the lose ball on the two yard line. The Cougar defense, coupled with several NWU penalties, pushed back the offense, forcing a Prairie Wolve 41 yard field goal, giving the Prairie Wolves a 3-0 lead.
The Cougar's recorded their first, first down with a 22 yard pass from senior quarterback Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, Conn.) that just sailed over defender's reach into the hands of junior receiver Jon Ryan (Watertown, S.D.). The pass seemed to get things rolling USF as senior running back Ryan Lowmiller (Crystal Lake, Ill.) broke several runs that resulted in with large chunks of yards, setting up a one yard sneak by Brown for a touchdown.
In the second quarter the Cougar defense continued to play extremely aggressive and created a turnover with a fumble on the NWU 44 yard line. Only a few plays later, Brown scored his second rushing touchdown with another sneak to put the Cougar's up 13-3, a lead they would take into halftime.
The second half saw a strong ground performance by USF as Lowmiller and sophomore Kristian Porter (Hawarden, Iowa) combined for 201 of the Cougar's 234 total rushing yards. Freshman kicker Braden Wieking began his football career with five successful point-after-touchdown kicks and also connected on a 32 yard field goal in the third quarter.
A pair of Brown touchdown passes gave the Cougars a commanding lead. The first was a six yard pass to junior Alex Anderson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) in the corner of the end zone. After the ensuing kickoff, NWU set up their offense but the drive was quickly ended with a Trevor Holleman (Sr., New Holland, S.D.) interception that was returned 27 yards to the eight yard line. On the next play Brown hit Ryan in the end zone, making the score 30-3.
On the next drive Lowmiller, who totaled 137 rushing yards, scored his lone touchdown on a three yard push to break the plain. With the score at 37-3, several of USF's second string players saw action. Connecting on the last score of the night was a set of newcomers, freshman quarterback Lance Lawson (Norfolk, Neb.) and junior transfer receiver Brad Theilen (Nashua, Iowa).
Lawson threw a spiral pass to the corner of the end zone that Theilen was able to snag.
The defense had a stellar night, as they held NWU to 28 total yards on 38 plays. Junior Brandon Koolstra (Sioux City, Iowa) and senior Drew DeGroot (Doon, Iowa) both recorded a sack and spent of most of the evening in backfield of the Prairie Wolves. DeGroot also forced a fumble.
USF will continue their season next Saturday, September 12 at Dana College in Blair, Neb. With a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
