Cougars Return Home to Host Bemidji State Saturday

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- The University of Sioux Falls (3-0) returns to Sioux Falls to host Bemidji State University (1-2) Saturday at Bob Young Field. Saturday's game will be the third meeting between BSU and USF in football, their first since September 3, 1983 when BSU won 31-0 at home to tie the series at 1-1.

First and 10
• The last time the Cougars played the Beavers was USF's career-wins leader Bob Young's first game as USF's head football coach.
• USF won the first meeting with BSU 14-12 on September 4, 1982 in Sioux Falls. They went on to go 8-1-0 that season.
• Since 2001, the Cougars have tallied 47 consecutive conference wins at home.
• USF has started the year 3-0 for the 10th time in 11 seasons.They made a post-season appearance following each of those starts.
• USF is 37-1 all-time at Bob Young Field
• Senior receiver Jeremiah Oates is among the nation's leaders in scoring with six TDs. He has scored in four games straight, dating back to last season, and 15 times in 12 contests as a Cougar.
• BSU (1-2) enters the game with 12 fumbles (10 lost) and turnover margin of minus nine.
• USF is outscoring opponents 45-7 in the second quarter thus far.
• 27 penalties (9-83.7yds/game) have cost the Cougars 251 yards this season.
• Senior placekicker and punter Braden Wieking became USF's first player ever to be named the NSIC Player of the Week (Special Teams) for his play in week 4. He needs one field goal to tie Matt Lingren for second on the all-time USF career list and four to tie all-time career leader TC Fraser (44).

Week Two Offensive Notes
Once again the bulk of USF production came outside the hashes last week at Minot State. Oates and senior receiver Carrington Hanna combined for 214 yards receiving and four scores. Individually, Oates recorded six grabs for a career-high 126 yards, while tying another personal best with three TDs.

On the other end of those four TD passes was senior quarterback Taylor Perkins, who went 19-for-36 for 287 yards for four TDs and no interceptions. He also picked up a game-high 46 yards with his feet. Perkins matched his 2011 season total with his 11th passing TD last weekend.

Despite 371 yards of total offense, the Cougars failed to break the 100-yard rushing mark with a season-low 84 yards on 30 carries.

Key Offensive Numbers
Through three games USF has...
- Allowed zero sacks- Committed just one offensive turnover (Int)
- 8-8 in redzone scores and six were TDs
- 10 plays of 25 yards or more, including four of 50 plus

Week Two Defensive Notes
Although USF allowed its highest opponent passing total this season, USF's defense forced four turnovers (3 Ints, 1 FF), returned one for a score, and held Minot to 81 yards on the ground. Saturday also marked the 18th consecutive game no single rusher has totaled 100 yards or more. The last player to do so against USF was Josh Endres of Dakota Wesleyan (10/23/10).

Senior safety Robert Virgil continues to serve as a game changer for USF. At Minot he posted a team-high 10 tackles (five solo), one interception, two broken up passes and a defensive PAT. He now has eight interceptions in his last nine games and has picked off a pass in five straight contests.

Key Defensive Numbers
Through three weeks USF has...
- Seven takeaways
- Seven sacks and seven QBH
- 26 TFL (91 yds.)
- Limited opponents to converting 10-of-51 3rd downs

Week Two Special Teams Notes
USF kicker Wieking was named the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance at Minot. The four-year starter converted of 41 and 32 yards, while averaging 39 yards per punt on seven kicks. He had a long of punt of 52, and pinned the Beavers' inside their own 20-yard line once.

After a rough outing against MSU Moorhead, USF found big plays on special teams at Minot. They blocked their second kick (PAT) of the season, returning it for a defensive PAT.

Where The Cougars Rank Nationally
As of September 8, USF ranks in the top 20 of the NCAA DII in six statistical categories.

- Individual interceptions: Robert Virgil 3 Ints (T-1st)

- Individual scoring: Jeremiah Oates 36 points (T-4th)

- 3rd down conversion % defense: 10-0f-51, 19.61% (T-4th)

- Individual points responsible for: Taylor Perkins 20.0/game (T-8th)

- 1st down defense: 14.33/game (14th)

- Passing efficiency defense: opponent completion % of 43.52 (18th), lowest of any teams facing 40 or more attempts

- Individual field goals: Braden Wieking 1.33/game (18th)

USF Notes

Bemidji State Notes

Courtesy:  University of Sioux Falls