> Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 19 University of Sioux Falls forced seven turnovers, returned an interception for a touchdown and also returned a kickoff for touchdown to remain undefeated in earning a 44-20 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football at Bob Young Field.

USF (7-0, 3-0 NSIC South), which entered the game ranked 17th in Division II in total defense, allowing 294 yards per game, recorded five interceptions and recovered one fumble on defense, while the Cougar special teams also recovered a fumble.

Solomon St. Pierre led the Cougars with three interceptions, including one for a touchdown, while adding seven tackles.

SMSU (2-5, 1-2 NSIC South) finished the game with 430 yards of offense, including 351 through the air, but could only muster 79 yards rushing on 31 attempts. USF, which entered the game ranked first in the NSIC and 16th in Division in total offense, finished the game with 453 yards.

Today's game was the third straight and fourth in the last five weeks that SMSU has faced an undefeated opponent, which three of the teams ranked in the top 20.

SMSU's Charlie Kern completed 29 of 46 passes for 271 yards and one touchdown, but was intercepted four times. Blake Gimbel entered in the fourth quarter and completed 11 of 17 passes for 80 yards and one interception.

Adam Olson tied a career-high with 11 receptions for 75 yards, while Jordan Cross added seven receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown for the Mustangs. Davontay Stevens rushed for a team-high 51 yards on 12 carries to pace the SMSU rushing attack.

Nephi Garcia rushed for a game-high 89 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries to pace USF, while Luke Papilion completed 22 of 38 pass attempts for 282 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions.

The two teams exchanged punts to begin the game, before USF made the first big play on defense deep in its own end. USF's John Tidwell intercepted Kern at the 2-yard line to end an SMSU scoring threat midway through the first quarter.

USF converted a pair of third-down conversions on the ensuing drive to move the ball down to the SMSU 10-yard line. The SMSU defense held strong and forced a 23-yard field goal by Bradley Hatfield with 3:31 left in the first quarter.

SMSU used a big return by Andrew McReynolds on the ensuing kickoff to set up its first scoring drive of the game. The Mustangs moved the ball down to the Cougar 17-yard line, before settling for a 35-yard field goal by Mike Wenk to tie the game at 3-3 late in the first quarter.

SMSU forced a turnover on USF's next drive as McReynolds recorded his team-leading third interception of the season to set up the Mustangs at their own 46-yard line. SMSU wasn't able to advantage of the turnover and was forced to punt three plays later.

USF gained the momentum following the punt, converting a pair of third-conversion and capped off a nine-play, 89-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Papilion to Garcia to regain the lead at 10-3 with 9:59 remaining in the second quarter.

The USF defense then made another big play on SMSU's next drive as Kern was intercepted by St. Pierre, who returned the ball 35 yards for a touchdown to push the lead to 17-3.

Following an SMSU punt, USF added to the lead on its next drive with Hatfield booting a 37-yard field goal to make the score 20-3 with 4:15 on the clock.

On the ensuing kickoff, McReynolds was stripped of the ball and USF recovered at the SMSU 23-yard line. The Mustang defense held strong and forced a 37-yard field goal attempt by Hatfield, but Jacob Levtzow busted through the line and blocked the kick to keep the score at 20-3.

SMSU answered following the blocked kick with a strong drive, moving the ball inside the USF 10-yard line. Unfortunately for SMSU, the drive stalled and was forced to settle for a Wenk 28-yard field goal with 35 seconds left in the half to make the score 20-6 into halftime.


The Cougars started the second half strong to add to the lead on their opening drive. Again, USF used a pair of third-down conversions to keep the drive going, with Garcia closing the drive plowing in from two yards out to extend the lead to 27-6.

SMSU answered in a big way with its most impressive drive of the game. Starting at its own 22-yard line, SMSU moved the ball 78 yards on 15 plays to cut into the lead. Facing a fourth-and-one from the USF 21-yard line, Stevens broke free for a key five-yard run to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Kern fired a 15-yard pass to Nate Huot on third-and-10 to move the ball down to the 1-yard line. Moments later Kern scored on a 1-yard run to cut the deficit to 27-13 with 5:51 remaining in the third.

Following punts by both squads, USF added to the lead early in the fourth quarter as Garcia scored from a yard out to push the lead to 34-13, to close out an 89-yard, 12-play drive.

SMSU came right back to keep the game close as Kern completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Cross to make the score 34-20 with 9:20 left in the game. The touchdown capped an 83-yard, 9-play drive and was the first points allowed by USF in the fourth quarter this season.

The USF special teams then made the play of the game as David Clark returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to give the Cougars a three-touchdown advantage once again.

Kern was then intercepted on SMSU's next drive by Solomon St. Pierre for the third time in the game. St. Pierre returned the interception for an apparent touchdown, but on the play St. Pierre was penalized for celebrating prior to scoring at the 1-yard line. USF wasn't able to pick up a first down, but Hatfield booted a 31-yard field goal to push the lead to 44-20.

Jared Twedt led the SMSU defense with a game-high 12 tackles, with one for loss and also added an interception with Jonathan Cross adding seven tackles.

Southwest Minnesota State returns home next Saturday to take on Wayne State College with kickoff set for 6 p.m. at the Schwan Regional Event Center. SMSU will honor its senior players prior to the game.