Concordia University (6-2, 3-1 NSIC) scored 35 unanswered points in the first half as they defeated MSU Moorhead (1-6, 1-3 NSIC) 48-20 on the road at Alex Nemzek Stadium in Moorhead, Minn.

Senior quarterback James McNear's 391 yards of total offense helped the Golden Bears march up and down the field, while running backs Brian Holmes and Aaron Cawthorn combined to rush for five touchdowns.

McNear completed 18-29 for 262 yards with one TD and one interception and carried the ball 15 times for 129 yards, including a long of 57.

The Concordia defense, who shut down the Dragons to just 253 yards of total offense for the day, was led by senior linebacker Doug Cox's season-high 14 tackles. Cox also had 2.5 tackles for loss, along with a forced fumble and recovery. Junior linebacker Brad Scherer was right there with him as he compiled a career-high 11 tackles, two for loss, and a sack.

The Concordia run defense, which was ranked 22nd in the nation heading into today's contest, surrendered just 86 yards to MSUM. The pass defense fared just as well, giving up 168 yards to the Dragons, who completed less than half of their pass attempts (11-24). Senior cornerback Russhon Armstrong also nabbed an interception for the Bears.

The Dragons got on the board first when Dennis Oswald scored a one-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a nine-play, 82-yard drive that spanned 3:36.

That was MSU Noorhead's only lead of the game, as Concordia responded with a four-play, 82-yard drive, capped off by a five-yard Cawthorn TD run.

The Bears took the lead, 14-7, with 4:43 to play in the first when they dashed 93 yards in four plays in just 1:00 when McNear connected with senior wide receiver Montez Bridgeforth for a 17-yard score.

Holmes added the next two touchdowns for Concordia, one in the first quarter and one in the second, while Cawthorn scored CU's fifth touchdown.

Junior kicker Brody Johnson converted all five first-half extra points as the Bears led 35-7 at the half.

The Concordia offense dominated the first 30:00 of play, as they amassed 401 total yards on 43 plays. McNear was unstoppable in the first half, as he completed 13-17 for 221 yards and a TD through the air while scrambling for 115 yards on nine attempts. Cawthorn was the workhorse, carrying 12 times for 54 yards and 2 TDs. Cawthorn carried just once the rest of the way, and he finished with 13 rushes for 57 yards.

The defense held their end as well, shutting the Dragon rushing attack down to a 2.4 yard rushing average, as they only managed 48 rushing yards while carrying 20 times. The secondary shut down the pass as well. MSUM quarterback Eric Frost completed 7-14 for 101 yards and an interception.

The Dragons clawed back into the game, scoring the first two touchdowns in the second half to cut the deficit to 35-20.

But Johnson responded, as he converted a pair of fourth-quarter field goals from 29 and 25 yards, respectively. Holmes's third touchdown run of the day was sandwiched in between the field goals, and Concordia ended the game scoring 13 unanswered points.

The Golden Bears only had to use their punter, sophomore Miles Coffin, once on the day, and Coffin delivered a successful punt inside the 20 in his only action.

Downfield, McNear connected with sophomore receiver Antwon Williams four times for 72 yards, all in the first half. Bridgeforth hauled in five receptions for 46 yards and a score. Freshman Tyrone Ruffin had three receptions for 55 yards, and junior Jason Simmons caught two passes for 52 yards.

The second-half rushing attack belonged to Holmes, who bruised his way to 54 yards on 14 carries after managing just 11 yards on five carries in the opening half. He finished the day with 19 carries for 62 yards.

As a team, Concordia outgained the dragons 509-253 in total offense while outrushing them 247 to 85. Concordia is now 5-0 when rushing for 200 yards.

On special teams, Concordia returned five kickoffs for 149 yards, nearly a 30-yard average. Bridgeforth and Cawthorn each had a pair of returns, with Bridgeforth breaking loose for a 70-yard return and Cawthorn breaking a 42-yarder. Cawthorn averaged 35.5 yards, while Bridgeforth averaged 34.5 yards on their two returns.

With the win, Concordia remains in the hunt for an NSIC championship as they head into the final three-game stretch of the season. Next week, they return home to battle Wayne State at Griffin Stadium. Gametime is 1:30.