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University of Sioux Falls Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

Bennett Brueck and the offense celebrate following a rushing touchdown against MSU Moorhead
Jurgens Photography
28
MSU Moorhead MSU 2-1 , 1-1
29
Winner Sioux Falls USF 2-1 , 2-0
MSU Moorhead MSU
2-1 , 1-1
28
Final
29
Sioux Falls USF
2-1 , 2-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT F
MSU MSU Moorhead 7 0 0 14 7 28
USF Sioux Falls 7 6 0 8 8 29

Game Recap: Football | | Madie Brink

Brueck, Hutchinson & Stahl Deliver as USF Stuns MSU Moorhead in Overtime

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls football team delivered a finish to remember Saturday afternoon at Bob Young Field, rallying in the final minutes before going for the win in overtime to defeat MSU Moorhead, 29-28.

Trailing 21-13 with less than three minutes remaining, Sioux Falls marched 80 yards for a touchdown and two-point conversion to force overtime. After MSU Moorhead scored on the opening play of the extra period, Bennett Brueck connected with Adonis Hutchinson for a 24-yard touchdown before the Cougars elected to go for two. Brueck found Blake Stahl on the conversion to secure the walk-off victory and send USF to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in NSIC play.

The Basics

Final Score: Sioux Falls 29, MSU Moorhead 28
Records: Sioux Falls (2-1, 2-0 NSIC), MSU Moorhead (2-1, 1-1 NSIC)
Location: Bob Young Field - Sioux Falls, S.D.
Attendance: 2,438

First Half Recap

MSU Moorhead struck first, opening the afternoon with a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 31-yard touchdown pass from Drew Huebner to Seth Staloch.

The Cougars responded quickly. After the USF defense forced a three-and-out, Sioux Falls took over with strong field position and needed just three plays to find the end zone. Brueck finished the 42-yard scoring drive himself with a one-yard touchdown run, while Scott Dickson's extra point evened the game at 7-7 with 7:09 remaining in the first quarter.

USF carried the momentum into the second quarter. The Cougars moved inside the MSUM five late in the opening period before Daevion Simonsen powered in from four yards out just 27 seconds into the second quarter. The extra point missed, but Sioux Falls had its first lead of the afternoon at 13-7.

Both defenses controlled the remainder of the half. Sioux Falls had an opportunity to extend the lead with 3:30 remaining, but a 27-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

The Cougars then came up with a huge special teams play of their own as the half expired. DaShawn Rohlik blocked MSU Moorhead's 41-yard field goal attempt, with London Kolb recovering the ball and returning it 49 yards to preserve USF's 13-7 halftime advantage.

Second Half Recap

Neither offense found the scoreboard in the third quarter, leaving Sioux Falls in front 13-7 heading into the final 15 minutes.

MSU Moorhead changed that early in the fourth. Facing fourth-and-11 from the USF 40, Huebner connected with Reggie Bruner for 38 yards before scoring on a two-yard run one play later, giving the Dragons a 14-13 advantage with 14:18 remaining.

The Dragons stretched the lead late in the quarter with an 80-yard scoring drive. Huebner capped the possession with a one-yard touchdown run, putting MSUM ahead 21-13 with 5:17 to play.

Things became even more difficult for the Cougars when Brueck was intercepted on the first play of the ensuing possession. The USF defense answered when it mattered most, forcing a three-and-out and getting the offense another opportunity with 2:42 remaining.

Starting at its own 20, Sioux Falls went to work. Brueck and the Cougars covered 80 yards in 11 plays and just 2:03. The drive stayed alive on fourth-and-one at the MSUM 22 when Brueck kept it himself and picked up seven yards. On the next snap, he found Stahl for a 15-yard touchdown with 39 seconds remaining.

Still needing two points to tie, the Cougars put the ball in Hutchinson's hands. The senior converted the two-point attempt to erase the eight-point deficit and tie the game at 21-21, sending the matchup to overtime.

Overtime

MSU Moorhead wasted no time in overtime, with Huebner breaking free for a 25-yard touchdown on the Dragons' first play. The extra point put USF behind 28-21.

The Cougars needed only two plays to answer. After Brueck picked up a yard on first down, the senior quarterback connected with Hutchinson over the middle for a 24-yard touchdown, pulling Sioux Falls within one at 28-27.

Rather than play for a second overtime, the Cougars went for the win when Brueck took the snap and connected with Stahl on the two-point conversion, completing the comeback and giving Sioux Falls a thrilling 29-28 victory at Bob Young Field.

Key Standouts

  • Bennett Brueck completed 19-of-32 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown. He accounted for all three of USF's touchdowns outside of Simonsen's second-quarter score and delivered both touchdown passes in the final 39 seconds of regulation and overtime.
  • Adonis Hutchinson turned in a monster afternoon with 11 receptions for 137 yards and the 24-yard overtime touchdown. He also ran in the game-tying two-point conversion with 39 seconds left in regulation.
  • Blake Stahl caught two passes for 28 yards, including the 15-yard touchdown that pulled USF within two late in regulation. He then hauled in the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime.
  • Mark-hel Joinville added three receptions for 62 yards, highlighted by a 41-yard catch, while also recording a 32-yard kickoff return.
  • Daevion Simonsen rushed 12 times for 38 yards and scored USF's second touchdown on a four-yard run.
  • Isaac Rudningen recorded USF's lone sack, dropping Huebner for a 16-yard loss while also forcing a fumble.
  • Cam Enright came up with a momentum-changing play for the Cougar defense, intercepting MSU Moorhead and returning it 33 yards to help flip the field for Sioux Falls.
  • Andy Henson finished with five tackles, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.
  • DaShawn Rohlik came up with one of the biggest plays of the first half, blocking MSU Moorhead's 41-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

By The Numbers

  • 29-28 - Final score as Sioux Falls improved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in NSIC play.
  • 375 - Total yards of offense for the Cougars, including 259 through the air and 116 on the ground.
  • 259 - Passing yards for USF, with Brueck accounting for 251.
  • 137 - Receiving yards for Hutchinson on a game-high 11 catches.
  • 22 - First downs recorded by Sioux Falls compared to 20 for MSU Moorhead.
  • 3-for-3 - Fourth-down conversion rate for the Cougars.
  • 32:27 - Time of possession for Sioux Falls compared to 27:33 for the Dragons.
  • 80 - Yards covered by USF on its game-tying drive in the final 2:42 of regulation.
  • 2:03 - Time needed for the Cougars to complete that 11-play, 80-yard drive.
  • 39 seconds - Time remaining when Brueck found Stahl for the touchdown that set up Hutchinson's game-tying two-point conversion.
  • 24 yards - Distance of Brueck's overtime touchdown pass to Hutchinson.
  • 2 - Successful two-point conversions for Sioux Falls, one to force overtime and one to win it.

Up Next

Sioux Falls will return to action next Saturday as they hit the road to Bismarck, ND to take on the Marauders at 2pm before returning home September 26th to host #5 Minnesota State for their annual Cougar Days celebration.

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