BEMIDJI, Minn. -- The running of Nephi Garcia and the big-play ability of the University of Sioux Falls defense provided the impetus of a 52-19 football win over Bemidji State on the road Saturday night.
USF moved to 2-0 with the victory while Bemidji State fell to 0-2. It was a game of runs as the Cougars opened up a 24-0 first-half lead before the Beavers answered with a 19-point third quarter. Then, USF had a 28-point run in the 4th quarter to put the game away.
“The best thing that happened to us was the third quarter when they made a run at us. We need the guys to understand that you have to come out ready to go in the third quarter," said USF head football coach Jed Stugart. "But, I was really proud of the team tonight. When the momentum shifted, we stepped up and handled ourselves. We stayed focused and things turned our way. I am really proud of our guys. It was our goal to score on defense this week," he said.
On the night, USF forced six turnovers, turning three into scores. USF junior defensive back David Clark returned an interception 40-yards for a TD in the 2nd quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Cougars' defense had two defensive TDs as junior linebacker Cameron Ostrom had an 88-yard interception return and redshirt senior defensive lineman Devin Flesher recovered a fumble in the end zone. It is the first time since Sept. 26, 2009 (Concordia, Neb., 80-0 win) that USF returned two interceptions for TDs. The three total TDs on defense is the most for the program since USF made the transition to DII in 2011.
As for the offense, Nephi Garcia led the way with 25 carries for 134 yards and three TDs, including a 64-yard scoring jaunt. He also scored on a nine yard run and a one-yard jaunt. Garcia recorded his eighth career 100-yard rushing game. He also had his 10th straight game of at least 80-yard rushing.
USF sophomore quarterback Luke Papilion completed 17-of-27 passes for 186 yards and a TD. Sophomore Matthew Young also played, hitting 10-of-18 passes for 88 yards. In two games, the Cougars sophomore quarterbacking duo have hit 69 percent of their passes by completing 54-of-78 for 559 yards with four TDs and two interceptions.
Overall, USF's offense again was productive, putting up 477 total yards, including 274 yards passing and 203 on the ground. It was USF's second straight game of at least 475 yards (477, 497 last week vs. Minot).
“I am not concerned about our offense,” said Stugart. “Even when we stalled out a little bit in the third quarter, we battled and stayed patient. That is what is key for us – staying within ourselves. I really like our resiliency tonight,” he said.
In the opening half, Sioux Falls was clearly in control. The Cougars took an early 7-0 lead at the 10:07 mark of the 1st quarter on a 3-yard TD run by Garcia, which capped an 11-play 62-yard drive. The drive was set up after Garrett Shutt recovered a fumble following the first of two interceptions thrown by Papilion.
The Cougars built the margin to 14-0 after Wagner, S.D., junior cornerback Solomon St. Pierre had his second pick in two games (fifth in his career); and on the ensuing play, Garcia broke free for a 64-yard scoring run. In the first quarter alone, Garcia picked up 84 yards on seven carries.
After holding Bemidji State to a three and out, USF quickly moved down the field. A 20-yard field goal by Bradley Hatfield built a 17-0 advantage.
Then, the Cougars' defense stepped up again. With 5:17 left in the second quarter, Clark had his interception return of 40 yards for a score and a 24-0 lead, which the Cougars took to halftime.
In the first half, USF limited the Beavers to 77 total yards, including 40 yards on the ground. They also forced the Beavers into six 3-and-outs.
Things changed in the third quarter after Bemidji State changed quarterbacks with sophomore Ryan Shields, who started four games a year ago, taking over. In the second half, Shields completed 12-of-29 passes for 245 yards and two TDs.
The Beavers got on the board with 9:33 to play in the third quarter when Shields connected with Juwann Richard on a 52-yard TD pass. On their ensuing possession Shields again found paydirt as he connected with Blake Holder on an 81-yard TD strike. Holder finished the night with seven catches for 153 yards. However, after the second TD, the Beavers missed the extra point.
Still, the momentum was in the favor of Bemidji State, who then recovered a fumble by Young after the USF quarterback had run for 13 yards. With 4:10 left in the third quarter, the Beavers drew within 24-19 on a four-yard run by Jonathon Albercrombie.
But, that was as close as Bemidji State would get. The Cougars answered the charge at the start of the fourth quarter. Garcia capped a 10-play, 72-yard drive with his third TD, a 10-yard run with 11:34 left in the game.
Garcia's TD run was the beginning of a 28-point run by USF. Shortly thereafter, junior linebacker Cameron Ostrom had a career-best 88-yard interception return for a TD. After Broughan Jantz picked off another Shield's throw, Papilion connected with sophomore Josh Angulo on a picture perfect pitch 31-yard TD strike with 6:25 left in the game. If the matter wasn't already decided, the defense made sure of it. Six seconds later, redshirt senior defensive lineman Devin Flesher recovered a fumble in the end zone as USF closed out the scoring.
Next, the Cougars return home to face #25 St. Cloud State (1-1) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Bob Young Field.
Cougar Notes -- Interestingly, the 52-point outburst by the Cougars improve their all-time mark to 60-0 when they put up 50 points or more. They are 138-1 when putting up 40 points or more. And, USF has not been shutout in 100 games.
