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14
Northern State NSU 2-3 , 1-1
35
Winner Concordia-St. Paul CSP 4-2 , 1-1
Northern State NSU
2-3 , 1-1
14
Final
35
Concordia-St. Paul CSP
4-2 , 1-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
NSU Northern State 0 0 7 7 14
CSP Concordia-St. Paul 7 21 0 7 35

Game Recap: Football |

Bears back on track with decisive victory over Northern State

The Golden Bears (4-2, 1-1 NSIC) picked up their first conference victory while snapping a two-game skid with their 35-14 thumping of Northern State (2-3, 1-1 NSIC). The Bears sprinted out to a 28-0 halftime lead thanks to three second-quarter touchdowns.

The offense was clicking all day, as CSP racked up 676 yards of total offense. The Bears used consistent rushing to go with their explosive aerial attack. It was a day of season highs for the running game, as CSP had 46 rushing attempts for 296 yards. The Bears passed for 380 yards while completing 25 of 34 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Junior quarterback James McNear led both the ground and aerial attacks, compiling 465 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. He ran for 107 yards on 11 carries, including a 12-yard touchdown scamper. Through the air, McNear was 23-30 for 358 yards and a pair of touchdown passes, highlighted by a 68-yard strike to senior receiver Wesley Hill that put the Bears ahead 35-7 with just 13:00 to play.

Hill also scored the first touchdown of the game, a three-yard reception with 1:44 to play in the first quarter. Concordia did not look back. Sophomore running back Aaron Cawthorn was the workhorse, as he carried the ball 21 times for 101 yards and a pair of second-quarter touchdown runs.

The Wolves were unable to counter the Concordia offense. Their total offense was outgained 676 to 402, and their rushing attack managed just 94 yards on 31 carries. Receiver Travis Heitman was one of the lone bright spots for the Wolves offense, catching eight passes for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Northern State's Steve Espinoza was everywhere on defense, racking up 22 total tackles, two for losses, while forcing and recovering a fumble. The Bears defense was led by senior linebacker Brian Doyle, who ended up with seven tackles, three for loss, a forced fumble, and a pair of sacks. Defensive lineman Brandon Sullivan also had a pair of sacks for the Bears, who collectively sacked the NSU quarterbacks six times.

The Bears return to action next Saturday when they head on the road to take on Minnesota Crookston.
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