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Bubba Tann III scores the winning touchdown against UMary
Photo taken by: Noah Rodriguez, UMary Athletics
40
Winner Sioux Falls USF 3-1 , 3-0
34
Mary UMA 2-2 , 1-2
Winner
Sioux Falls USF
3-1 , 3-0
40
Final
34
Mary UMA
2-2 , 1-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT F
USF Sioux Falls 17 14 3 0 6 40
UMA Mary 0 3 14 17 0 34

Game Recap: Football | | Madie Brink

Cougars Outlast UMary in Overtime Thriller, 40-34

BISMARCK, N.D. - The University of Sioux Falls football team survived a furious second-half comeback from UMary on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Marauders 40-34 in overtime at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.

The Cougars built a 31-0 advantage in the opening half before UMary battled all the way back, tying the game on a field goal as time expired in regulation. Sioux Falls responded when it mattered most. Owen McCloud intercepted the Marauders on their opening overtime possession before Bubba Tann III powered into the end zone from eight yards out to seal the victory. With the win, USF improves to 3-1 overall and remains unbeaten at 3-0 in NSIC play.

First Half Recap

The Cougars wasted little time making an impact on special teams. After Vayo Kamara sacked Ryan Blair on UMary's opening possession, Isaac Rudningen blocked the ensuing punt and recovered it in the end zone to give Sioux Falls a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.

USF's offense followed with points on each of its next four scoring opportunities. Bennett Brueck capped a 70-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run to double the advantage before JT Frieders connected from 25 yards out to send Sioux Falls into the second quarter ahead 17-0.

Brueck found the end zone again early in the second, this time scoring from three yards out after the Cougars took over at the UMary 32. Sioux Falls pushed its advantage to 31-0 with 5:32 remaining in the half when Brueck connected with Tann III for a 22-yard touchdown, finishing off a nine-play, 80-yard drive.

UMary broke through just before halftime with a 43-yard field goal, but Sioux Falls carried a commanding 31-3 advantage into the locker room.

Second Half Recap

Frieders added a 22-yard field goal early in the third quarter to give USF its largest lead of the afternoon at 34-3. From there, however, the momentum shifted dramatically toward the Marauders.

UMary scored twice over the final seven minutes of the third quarter, cutting the USF lead to 34-17. The Marauders continued their rally in the fourth, putting together touchdown drives of 89 and 58 yards to pull within three at 34-31 with 4:10 remaining.

After forcing a Cougar punt, UMary took possession at its own 16-yard line with 2:09 remaining and drove 80 yards in 12 plays. John Girard converted a 22-yard field goal as time expired, completing the 31-point comeback and sending the game to overtime tied at 34.

Overtime

With UMary getting the football first, the Cougar defense delivered the play it desperately needed. The Marauders moved six yards on their first two snaps before McCloud intercepted Blair at the USF 16 on third-and-four, ending the possession without a point.

Starting at the UMary 25, Tann III immediately ripped off an 11-yard run. Brueck followed with a two-yard gain before connecting with Todd Benedict for four yards, setting up third-and-four from the eight.

USF put the game in the hands of Tann III, and the senior delivered. Tann III burst up the middle for eight yards and the game-winning touchdown, securing the Cougars' 40-34 overtime victory.

Key Standouts

  • Bennett Brueck accounted for three touchdowns, completing 10-of-19 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown while adding 40 rushing yards and two scores on seven carries.
  • Bubba Tann III finished with 106 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. He rushed 16 times for 78 yards, caught two passes for 28 yards and scored the game-winning eight-yard touchdown in overtime.
  • Adonis Hutchinson led the Cougar receiving corps with three catches for 71 yards, averaging 23.7 yards per reception.
  • Isaac Rudningen made an immediate impact on special teams, blocking and recovering UMary's first punt for the opening touchdown.
  • Owen McCloud came up with the game's biggest defensive takeaway, intercepting UMary on third down in overtime to set up the winning possession.
  • Cam Enright led Sioux Falls with eight tackles, including seven solo stops and a tackle for loss, while Vayo Kamara recorded a sack.

By The Numbers

  • 40 - Points scored by the Cougars in the overtime victory.
  • 31 - Unanswered points scored by Sioux Falls to open the game.
  • 307 - Total yards of offense for USF, including 154 rushing and 153 passing.
  • 5-for-5 - Sioux Falls scored on all five of its red-zone opportunities.
  • 2 - Field goals made by JT Frieders, connecting from 25 and 22 yards.
  • 2 - Sacks recorded by the Cougar defense.
  • 1 - Blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Rudningen.
  • 1 - Overtime interception by McCloud.
  • 0 - Turnovers committed by the Cougar offense.

Up Next

Sioux Falls will return home September 26th to host #5 Minnesota State for their annual Cougar Days celebration where they will also recognize the 1996 & 2006 National Championship Teams in honor of their 30th and 20th championship seasons.

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