MOORHEAD, Minn. – Special teams play turned out to be truly special for the Northern State football team on Saturday afternoon.
The Wolves made their two extra points, and took advantage of a missed extra-point and a botched field-goal attempt in the closing seconds in a 14-13 win over Minnesota State, Moorhead. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win leaves the Wolves in the hunt for the North Division championship and keeps their playoff hopes in tact.
“What can I even say about this group anymore? They just believe and stay together,” said Northern coach Mike Schmidt. “Our message all week was ‘presence over perfection.’ Just stay in the moment and keep swinging. It doesn’t matter if it’s pretty or not. We just find a way to win.”
At the end of the day, it was two PAT kicks by NSU kicker Jeremy Caruso and missed opportunities by the Dragons that proved to be the difference. Moorhead had its first extra-point attempt blocked to start the game, and then had a poor snap on a potential game-winning field goal attempt with just 34 seconds remaining in the contest.
“With a wind like that, special teams always play a huge factor,” Schmidt said. “Big time block on the first extra point. … Jeremy’s kick for the game-winning point was huge. He’s backed up by a dumb penalty and just drills that kick. We punted the ball well and Jeremy was clutch.”
So was Northern’s defense. In addition to the Dragons being denied on their final possession, the Wolves stopped Moorhead inside the NSU 10-yard line on two separate drives in the opening half. Northern held standout receiver Kalen Lucas to just 17 yards on three catches, and also put pressure on Moorhead quarter Drew Huebner.
“Big time effort by the defense. The red zone stops were huge,” Schmidt said. “Holding Lucas, who was leading D2 football in receptions to three for 17 is an incredible effort. Huebner was uncomfortable all day. Great game plan and tremendous execution.”
After Moorhead scored on the opening possession of the game, Northern responded with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Joey Dube-Garrett to Jacoby Boykins for a 7-6 lead that held up for more than two quarters.
Moorhead regained the lead midway through the third period, before the Wolves converted a fourth-down play to extend a drive that eventually resulted in a Hank Kraft 2-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter.
“Offensively, it wasn’t pretty, but they stepped up when we needed them the most,” Schmidt said. “A huge fourth down conversion that led to the go-ahead touchdown, and then a huge drive to eat up the clock and allow our defense a chance to win it.”
Dube-Garrett finished with 189 yards passing, and Kraft rushed for 111 yards.
Jake Adams once again led the Northern defense with 12 tackles.
The Wolves, 6-2 on the season, now host Augustana in a crucial NSIC game 6 p.m. Saturday at Dacotah Bank Stadium. The Vikings are also 6-2 and in the playoff hunt.
“We need everyone in Aberdeen at the game next Saturday night,” Schmidt said. “Bring a friend, wear a costume, and be loud.”
To see a complete box score, click on the following link:
https://nsuwolves.com/sports/football/stats/2026/msu-moorhead/boxscore/14646?print=true
