SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Sioux Falls (6-2, 5-2 NSIC) hosted Minnesota Duluth (3-4, 2-4 NSIC) during their 2024 Cougar Days game today. In an exciting back-and-forth battle, Sioux Falls edged out Duluth 24-21 at Bob Young Field to grab their third consecutive win of the season and sixth overall.
SCORING RECAP
The game opened with USF taking an early lead through a 27-yard field goal by Nick Hernandez midway through the first quarter. UMD responded in the second quarter with Alex Riley's impressive 29-yard rushing touchdown, giving them a 7-3 advantage.
Sioux Falls answered back just before halftime when quarterback Camden Dean capped off a 91-yard drive with a 7-yard rushing touchdown, putting The Coo back on top with a 10-7 lead at the break.
The Bulldogs wasted no time in the second half, as Jacob Eggert connected with Jimmy Durocher on a 56-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead 14-10. But Camden Dean struck again, scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 9-yard run, pushing Sioux Falls ahead 17-14.
In the final quarter, Duluth continued to answer, as Eggert found DaShaun Ames for a 19-yard touchdown pass, giving the Bulldogs a 21-17 lead. However, Sioux Falls proved resilient. With just over 10 minutes left, Dean threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Carter Slykhuis to put USF back on top, 24-21. With just under a minute left to play, freshman punter Scott Dickson recovers a bad snap on USFs own 3-yard line before breaking a tackle and booting a 51-yard punt to the Duluth 30-yard line.
Matt Goehring closed out the game with 4th interception of the season to secure the 24-21 win for USF
KEY COO
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Camden Dean: 2 rushing touchdowns, 1 passing touchdown, 103 rushing yards, 239 passing yards,
UP NEXT
Both teams displayed impressive offensive balance, with Sioux Falls gaining 371 yards of total offense to Minn. Duluth's 380. However, turnovers proved costly for the Bulldogs, as Eggert threw four interceptions. Sioux Falls capitalized on its opportunities in the red zone, scoring on all four trips, while Minn. Duluth was limited to just one red-zone score.
Sioux Falls will look to maintain their momentum as they hit the road next week to take on (RV) Wayne State (6-1, 5-1 NSIC) followed by the Key to the City game at (RV) Augustana on November 9th at 1pm. USF will return to The Bob November 16th to take on SMSU at 1pm.
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