Junior placekicker Brody Johnson's 45-yard field goal was blocked as time expired as Concordia University (4-2, 1-1 NSIC) lost a heart-breaker at Northern State (3-3, 2-0 NSIC) before 6,342 fans at Clark Swisher Field in Aberdeen, S.D.

It was a back and forth battle throughout, with a pair of blocked kick attempts coming back to haunt the Golden Bears, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

The Golden Bears struck first when Aaron Cawthorn charged into the end zone from two yards out with 3:57 to play in the first quarter. The scoring drive lasted 5:29 and took 15 plays and 66 yards.

Northern State answered with :19 remaining in the quarter on a two-yard TD run to tie the score at seven.

Concordia reclaimed the lead with 7:18 to play in the half when senior quarterback James McNear rushed in from seven yards to finish off an eight-play, 63-yard scoring drive. Johnson's extra point was blocked, putting CU up 13-7.

The score remained 13-7 going into halftime, as the Golden Bear defense shut down the Wolves to just seven first-half points.

The Wolves grabbed their first lead of the game in the beginning of the third quarter when John Russell hit Greg Agho from 21 yards out as NSU marched down the field, taking the opening drive of the half 80 yards on seven plays in 2:39. The extra point was converted, giving the Wolves a 14-13 lead.

Three plays later, McNear found receiver Montez Bridgeforth for a 77-yard scoring strike. McNear fumbled the two-point conversion, but the Bears were back on top, 19-14, with 11:05 remaining in the third quarter.

The defenses took over, as neither team was able to get on the scoreboard for the next 22:26.

The Bears took over with the ball on their own 16-yard line with 4:43 remaining until a fourth consecutive victory and a 2-0 NSIC start. On the first play of the drive, Cawthorn exploded for a 10-yard run, giving the Golden Bears a first down with the clock running out on the Wolves. But on first and ten from the CU 26, Cawthorn got the call again but this time fumbled in the backfield. The Wolves' Austin Quinn fell on the ball at the CU 21-yard line, setting NSU up in scoring position.

Russell wasted no time putting NSU back in the driver's seat, as he hooked up with Agho for their second 21-yard scoring strike of the contest. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but NSU held a 20-19 lead with 3:54 to play.

Bridgeforth responded with a 61-yard kickoff return, setting CU up with a first and ten at the NSU 39-yard line with 3:38 remaining.

But the Bears went backwards and were faced with a fourth and 21 from the 50 when McNear found junior receiver Jason Simmons downfield, but Simmons couldn't remain in-bounds long enough to pick up the first down. The 20-yard reception for Simmons came up one yard short, and the Wolves took over on downs at their own 30-yard line with 1:54 to play.

The defense did its job, forcing the Wolves to punt with :26 remaining. NSU punter Eric Schwan shanked the punt 16 yards out of bounds, giving Concordia one last shot with :20 to play.

McNear, looking to lead CU to their fourth comeback win of the season, hit Tyrone Ruffin for 10 yards on the first play. He then connected with Bridgeforth for 11 yards to the 29-yard line. Bridgeforth got out of bounds, stopping the clock and allowing Johnson and the field goal unit to set up.

But the kick was blocked, and the Wolves recovered on the 25-yard line as time expired.

Junior defensive end Eric Power finished with a career-high 10 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and a pair of sacks. It was his first multi-sack performance of his career. Antonio Brown and Mark Sullivan each recorded interceptions, while Brad Scherer and Vincent Almeda also reached the quarterback once each.

The defensive held the Wolves to just 283 yards of total offense. The Wolves carried the ball 29 times but only managed 89 rushing yards, while the passing attack managed 194 yards on 32 passes.

McNear completed 13-24 for 214 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He rushed for 37 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.

Cawthorn, who racked up 90 yards on 18 carries in the first half, struggled in the second half, picking up only 21 yards on 10 carries. He finished with 28 for 111 yards and a TD.

Bridgeforth hauled in five receptions for 139 yards and had the 77-yard TD reception. He also had three kick returns for 94 yards and a long of 61.

Concordia's offense was solid despite the loss, as the Bears rushed for 165 yards on 44 attempts, contributing to CU's 389 yards of total offense.

Penalties, turnovers, and special teams miscues cost the Bears, however. CU was flagged 11 times for 105 yards to NSU's five penalties for 46 yards. The blocked extra-point attempt and field goal along with the fumble deep in their own territory all contributed to either easy NSU points or missed point opportunities for Concordia in the one-point loss.

The Bears return home on Sat., Oct. 8 when they play host to Minnesota Crookston as CU celebrates Homecoming at Griffin Stadium at 1:30 p.m.