Kari Gibb/MDN The Minot State University offense gets set to score against the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, September 28, at Herb Parker Stadium.

The University of Sioux Falls (USF) Cougars traveled north to take on the Minot State University (MSU) Beavers in the matchup between two 3-1 teams, 2-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) middle of the pack group. The 26-22 win lifted MSU into a two way tie in second place at 3-1 in conference with Bemidji State.

The game did not start in favor of MSU as USF began scoring early with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Camden Dean to Carter Slykhuis after less than three minutes of play and another pass from Dean to Travis Yohnke with five minutes to play in the first quarter. The Cougars led 13-0 after missing the second point after attempt.

The Beavers cut into that lead in the second quarter when Sam Buckhanan capped off the 8-play drive of 78 yards with a six yard power dive just after the second quarter had started.

The Cougars added three points half way through the second quarter on a 30-yard Nick Hernandez field goal.

With just 20 seconds to go in the half, MSU quarterback Carson Chrisman used his legs for a 3-yard run into the corner of the endzone. The score capped a 15-play drive that again covered 78 yards. The score going into halftime had USF leading 16-14 with one half left to play.

Both teams moved the ball around the field in the third quarter, but neither team was able to capitalize with points. The fourth quarter belonged to the Beavers. Buckhanan scored his second touchdown on a 3-yard run while Diego Smith hit two field goals- one from 34-yards out and the other from 28-yards out to take a 20-16 lead with just over a minute left to play.

Slykhuis caught his second touchdown pass of the game from Dean with no time left of the clock to narrow the margin, but the 26-22 win was well in hand for MSU down the stretch.

Minot State led in several statistical categories. None more important than the time of possession. The Beavers held the ball for 40-minutes compared to the 20-minutes that the Cougars offense was on the field.

MSU also had a very significant edge in the running game with 69 rushing attempts and 271 net yards in the game. USF was able to put 85 yards together on the ground on 23 rushing attempts.

USF had the advantage in the passing game. Dean was 17-24 for 166 yards passing and three touchdowns. MSU was 2-3 for 14 yards and one interception in the game. The Cougars lost one fumble to keep the turnover battle even.

The Cougars had six penalties for 51 yards while the Beavers had five for 44 yards in the game.

Minnesota State sits atop the NSIC standings at 4-0, 5-0 with Bemidji State and Minot State next in line at 3-1, 4-1 each. Four teams sit at 2-1 in the NSIC standings with one of those, Wayne State College the next opponent for Minot State.

The Wayne State Wildcats will host Minot State on Saturday, October 5, in Wayne, Nebraska. The last Beaver’s win was a 20-14 score in Nebraska in September, 2016 while the Wildcats have four wins in a row- the last being a 48-22 victory against MSU at Herb Parker Stadium on September 30.

The Wildcats are averaging just over 37-points per game. Wayne State College (2-1, 3-1) is averaging 139 yard rushing per game and 205 yard passing per game. They have 126 rushing attempts and 109 passing attempts in an even offensive attack.

Defensively, the Wildcats are allowing 175 yards rushing by opponents and 250 yards passing per game as well. The Wayne State College defense has tightened in the red zone and allows only 22 points per game thus far in the young season.

The keys for a win over the Wildcats will come down to time of possession, a solid defensive effort in keeping the passing attack of Wayne State College under wraps and ensuring the lack of ‘Self Inflicted Negatives’ by the Minot State players.