Box Score
photo credit: Michael Bron

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 9 University of Sioux Falls remained undefeated and showed why it ranks first in Division II in total offense and third in rushing in earning a 48-28 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday night at Bob Young Field.
 
USF (6-0 NSIC, 2-0 NSIC South) finished the game with 670 yards of offense on 90 plays, including 428 yards rushing. The Cougars had three players finishing with more than 100 yards rushing, led by Max Mickey who finished with 156 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. Justin Fulks added 140 yards and two touchdowns on 21 attempts, while Luke Papilion chipped in with 122 yards on 12 carries.
 
SMSU (4-2 NSIC, 1-1 NSIC South), which entered the game ranked third in Division II in offense, was held to a season-low 331 yards on 66 plays with 18 first downs. Blake Gimbel completed 27 of 40 pass attempts for 248 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Gabe Galamue led the SMSU receiving corps with seven receptions for 52 yards, while Ty Steffensen had six catches for 44 yards and two touchdowns.
 
SMSU was limited to 83 yards rushing with Max Simmons leading the way with 58 yards on eight carries with one touchdown.
 
USF opened the scoring on its first drive of the game on a Brett Garner 26-yard field goal with 11 minutes and 13 seconds left in the first quarter.
 
The score remained 3-0 until the second quarter when the Cougars added to the lead. Mickey capped an 80-yard, 14-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make the score 10-0 with 7:16 left.
 
SMSU quickly responded on the ensuing drive, moving 62 yards on seven plays with Gimbel tossing a 16-yard touchdown pass to Ty Steffensen with 5:07 remaining.
 
USF answered back with a 15-yard touchdown run by Fulks to extend the lead to 17-7 at the 1:57 mark.
 
On the ensuing kickoff, Nate Huot picked up a 36-yard return to set up the offense at the 50-yard line. Following three first downs moving the ball down the USF 7-yard line, Gimbel would later loft a perfect pass to Steffensen for a 5-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 17-14 at halftime.  
 
USF opened the second half converting a third-and-seven from its own 37-yard line. One play later, Mickey broke free on a 55-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 24-14.
 
SMSU came right back with its own touchdown as Simmons sprinted in on a 6-yard touchdown to make the score 24-21 with 11:09 left in the third.
 
USF quickly answered moving 80 yards on just four plays, closed off by an 11-yard touchdown run by Fulks to push the margin to 31-21.
 
SMSU was forced to punt on its next drive, but the Mustang defense came up with a big play as Dallin Finley intercepted Papilion near midfield. The SMSU offense picked up one first down, but Gimbel was intercepted at the USF 10-yard line to end the scoring threat.
 
The Cougars then added to the lead, moving 89 yards on 14 plays, with Papilion completing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Mickey to make the score 38-21.
 
SMSU wouldn't quit and used a double reverse flea flicker from Gimbel to Raphael Lawson-Gayle, who caught the short pass and sprinted 42 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit 38-28 with 12 minutes left in the game.
 
USF then put the game away with another Mickey touchdown run and another Garner field goal to make the final margin.
 
Michael Everett recorded a team-high 11 tackles for the Mustangs, while Tyler Flud added 10 stops.
 
Southwest Minnesota State returns home next Saturday, Oct. 15, to face Wayne State College for Ag Bowl starting at 6 p.m.