ABERDEEN, S.D. - Sioux Falls jumps out to a 2-0 start following a booming 34-10 win over Northern State tonight in front of 5,211 fans at Dacotah Bank Stadium.
The Coo forced 263-yards of total offense tonight while recording 188-yards on the ground and 75-yards through the air. USF had a time of possession of 29:40 and found most of their success in their rushing game.
SCORING RECAP
Dylan Rudningen got The Coo started with a 6-yard rushing touchdown to open the game following a 19-yard kickoff return by freshman Hank Brown Jr. and a 56-yard carry from Camden Dean to give USF an early 6-0 lead.
Following an NSU fumble, forced by Alex Macksam and recovered by Garret Hoffman, Sioux Falls marched 23-yards before Brown Jr. Claimed his first career rushing touchdown on an 11-yard carry. Nick Hernandez split the uprights for a successful PAT to make it 13-0 in just five minutes of play.
Dean dumped in a short 16-yard pass to Carter Slykhuis for another Cougar Touchdown and following a successful PAT, USF took a 20-0 lead to end the first quarter.
Following an interception by Cade Morse that was returned 76-yards, Rudningen rushed another 3-yards for his second touchdown of the night. Paired with another successful PAT by Hernandez, USF went into halftime with a 27-0 lead.
Following a turnover on downs by the Wolves to open the second half, Sioux Falls brought the ball back 36-yards in seven plays for Matt Grzybowski to rumble in for a 1-yard touchdown. Hernandez split the uprights for the final PAT of the night giving The Coo a final score of 34.
Northern State recorded a field goal in the end of the third quarter before rushing in for a touchdown in the fourth to end the game 34-10.
KEY COO
Camden Dean completed 7 passes for 75-yard and a score along with 84-yards on the ground with five carriers.
Dylan Rudningen recorded two touchdowns with 29 rushing yards in nine carries. Through the air, Carter Slykhuis recorded a score with 30 receiving yards and three receptions.
Andy Henson recorded a career-high 10 tackles on the night with one tackle for a loss of 3-yards. Overall USF recorded 11 tackles for a loss of 43-yards and four sacks for a loss of 23-yards led by Francis Kumi, Jordan Medrano and Chase Kelly.
For the kicking crew, Nick Hernandez went 4-for-4 in PAT while Scott Dickson averaged 36.4 yards per punt with five on the night. Dickson also recorded one punt inside the 20 while also recording 365-yards on six kickoffs.
UP NEXT
Sioux Falls (2-0, 1-0 NSIC) will host the University of Mary (1-1, 0-1 NSIC) during their home opener next Saturday, September 14 at Bob Young Field. Kickoff is slated for 1pm with gates opening at 12pm.
Fans are encouraged to skip the lines and purchase their tickets online HERE!
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