In the 41-14 win over Minot State on Saturday, the University of Sioux Falls football team (1-0) put together several of the top performances on both sides of the ball in not only the NSIC but NCAA Division II.

The Cougars defense shined with its best rushing defense performance to date in NCAA DII. The Cougars, which recorded five sacks and two turnovers, held Minot State to 24 rushing yards on 25 carries and just 182 total yards. The 24 yards rushing allowed ranked first in the league and fifth in DII. The 182 yards allowed in 57 plays to Minot State ranked 9th nationally and first in the NSIC. The mark was the second-best effort in total defense in the three plus years of DII football. USF recorded five sacks which was the best in the NSIC and seventh nationally. In addition, the 11 first downs allowed ranked 9th nationally.

On offense, sophomore quarterback Matthew Young put together the nation's top completion percentage at 81.8 percent (18-of-22). Between Young and fellow sophomore quarterback Luke Papillion, USF quarterbacks hit on 27-of-33 passes for 285 yards and three TDs or a 184.36 passing efficiency ranking which ranked 15th in the nation and first in the NSIC. With 31 first downs, USF had the 10th best total nationally and second in the NSIC.

Young also ranked 31st nationally and second in the NSIC with a 159.1 pass efficiency ranking.

With 497 yards in total offense (93 plays), USF was 29th in total offense and fifth in the league. The 41 points scored ranked 32nd nationally and fourth in the NSIC.

The Cougars will travel to face Bemidji State (0-1) on Saturday in Bemidji, Minn.