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USF Ground Game the Difference in 35-10 Victory Over William Jewell

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USF Ground Game the Difference in 35-10 Victory Over William Jewell

The University of Sioux Falls football team has taken great strides in each and every week of play. Saturday's game was no different. Coming off a season high 195 yards on the ground, the Cougars called on their run game again, this time they rushed for 285 yards en route to a 35-10 victory over William Jewell College.

After winning the toss, USF took the wind, deferring to receive the ball in the second half. The Cougar defense entered today's game having recorded an interception in each of the last two games. They did not waste any time making their presence felt. Just three plays into the game, Junior CB Brett Jensen picked off Sean Shelton's pass for his first interception of the season.

USF turned the cardinal turnover into a score, when junior tailback Jordan Taylor rushed for a two yard touchdown. Taylor's score was his first of the season and the first rushing touchdown by any USF running back in 2011.

After a Cardinal three and out, USF took over on their own 20 yard line. The drive resulted in a second USF score. This time, it was through the air as sophomore quarterback Carrington Hanna found sophomore tight end Taylor Klein on a 14 yard toss. Klein's grab would spark a Hanna to tight end connection as tight ends were on the other end of nine of his completions.

USF continued its first half domination of William Jewell on their next possession, where they would march 80 yards down the field to go up 21-0 with 10:22 left in the 2nd quarter. The Cougars third touchdown was almost identical to their previous score, a Hanna to tight end connection. Senior tight end Spensor Sailors 7 yard touchdown reception was his second of the season.

The Cardinals finally got a break, when Daniel Meegan's punt bounced off USF senior return man, Michael Hicks chest. William Jewell recovered the muffed punt, setting the Cardinals offense up for 1st and 10 on the USF 25 yard line. William Jewell would move even deeper into USF territory, after a personal foul was called on USF for a horse collar tackle. They took advantage of the short field as Glen Whitney squeezed past the Cougar defenders for a four yard touchdown run. Whitney's score would be the Cardinals only touchdown of the game.

On the ensuing kickoff, Hicks redeemed himself, returning the ball 57 yards as he nearly recorded his second return for a touchdown this season. USF had the momentum, but it was quickly taken away, when Jason Carmichael picked off a Hanna screen pass. His 36 yard interception return set up the Cardinal's Warren Frevert for a 45 yard field goal to end half. Frevert has yet to miss a field goal this year.

The two teams played the game of field position to begin the third quarter, each punting twice before USF would on to score the period's only points. Hanna did his best Michael Vick impersonation, the pocket collapsed, he saw day light and ran 15 yards for his second rushing touchdown of the day. Hanna's run gave USF a 28-10 lead with 4:21 left in the third quarter.

On their next possession, it looked as if the Cougars would score again but the
Cardinal defense came up with a huge turnover in the final two minutes, stripping Hannah of the ball as the quarter came to an end.
USF's defense responded with a turnover of their own, when junior safety Robert Virgil picked off Shelton on the USF 25 yard line, denying a Cardinal scoring opportunity.

Following another William Jewell turnover, USF would put together one final scoring drive. It was all Taylor as his number was called four times during the six play drive. He racked up fifty yards alone and set up Hanna for a one yard quarterback sneak for the score.

On offense, the Cougars recorded a season high 502 yards, with 285 yards on the ground. Taylor averaged 6.5 yards per carry, tallying a career high 145 rushing yards and one touchdown. He also led the team in receiving, catching five passes for 53 yards.

Quarterback Hanna had a great day both running the ball and passing. He finished 18-29 for 217 passing yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 128 yards, where he scored two more touchdowns.

The USF defense had another brilliant performance, recording three interceptions to increase their season total to eight. Matt white led the defense with 10 tackles, one for a loss, while Brandon Andersen finished second, with 4 tackles.

Next, USF faces in-state rival, Black Hills State at Bob Young Field Saturday Oct.15 at 1p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Brandon Andersen

#48 Brandon Andersen

LB
6' 0"
Senior
Carrington Hanna

#2 Carrington Hanna

QB
6' 2"
Sophomore
Michael Hicks

#6 Michael Hicks

WR
5' 11"
Senior
Brett Jensen

#8 Brett Jensen

DB
5' 10"
Junior
Taylor Klein

#81 Taylor Klein

TE
6' 1"
Junior
Jordan Taylor

#9 Jordan Taylor

RB
6' 1"
Junior
Robert Virgil

#20 Robert Virgil

DB
6' 2"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Brandon Andersen

#48 Brandon Andersen

6' 0"
Senior
LB
Carrington Hanna

#2 Carrington Hanna

6' 2"
Sophomore
QB
Michael Hicks

#6 Michael Hicks

5' 11"
Senior
WR
Brett Jensen

#8 Brett Jensen

5' 10"
Junior
DB
Taylor Klein

#81 Taylor Klein

6' 1"
Junior
TE
Jordan Taylor

#9 Jordan Taylor

6' 1"
Junior
RB
Robert Virgil

#20 Robert Virgil

6' 2"
Junior
DB