USF Hosts Concordia in “Blackout” Under the Lights

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Following a tough one-point loss at Winona State last weekend, the University of Sioux Falls football team will look to bounce back Saturday when they host Concordia University in a "Blackout" game under the lights at Bob Young Field. With both squads at 1-1 in interleague play, this weekend's outcome could have a significant impact on a tight NSIC South race. The Cougars are 5-1 all-time against the Golden Bears.

First and 10
• Saturday's matchup will be the first between USF and CU in football since 1983 when USF won 30-8, extending their series win streak to five straight.
• Last weekend marked the Cougars' first loss to an unranked opponent during the Stugart era. It was also their first conference defeat.
• CU starting QB has exceeded 370 yards passing twice this season, including a career-high 431 yards against U-Mary
• With a win against Concordia, USF head coach Jed Stugart would tie David Schroeder for the third-highest win total in program history
• Braden Wieking became USF's all-time leader in career field goals made with his 45th FG last Saturday.
• Through week six, USF's offense is converting 43.5% of third downs faced in the fourth quarter. The Cougar defense is holding opponents to a 22.2% conversion rate in fourth quarter situations this season.
• Kristian Porter enters the game 94 yards shy of the 2,000 yard career rushing mark
• Two weeks following their DII Poll debut, USF dropped out of the top 25 Monday.
• Senior LB Nick Bonte sits second in the conference with 10 solo TFL this season.
• Concordia holds a conference-best 94.7% conversion rate in the redzone, scoring in 18 of 19 redzone opportunities this season (12 TDs, 6 FG).

Week Two Recap (USF vs. WSU)
The No. 23 Cougars came out hot, but quickly cooled off, as they were held to a season-low nine points in a 10-9 loss at Winona State University.

Rayon Simmons became the first rusher to surpass the 100-yard mark against USF this season, breaking a 20-game streak which dated back to October 23, 2010.

WSU put together an 11 play 85-yard drive to capture a 10-6 lead. The defining play of the drive was a costly breakdown in the USF secondary.

USF's defense made a key stop on a driving Warrior team near 11minute mark of the fourth quarter, halting WSU's offense on third and 11 in the redzone to force a 40 yard field goal. Jake Vercher hooked it left, keeping it a one possession game with 10 minutes to go.

On the ensuing drive, Braden Wieking converted a 37-yard field goal with 5:30 left on the clock to cut the Cougars' deficit to one, 10-9.

That is as close as USF would come. They would have one more shot at it, but turn it over on downs.

USF racked up 309 total yards of offense and allowed 380, 207 yards on the ground.

Taylor Perkins finished 23-41 for 228 and one touchdown. Austin VaHove led USF with a season-high 89 receiving yards and the only score, while Hanna recorded 10 catches for 86 yards. Jeremiah Oates had a season-low two catches for 17 yards.

John Tidwell led the Cougars with 10 stops tonight. Robert Virgil finished with eight tackles and one interception, his fourth of the year.

Career Updates (totals)
Wieking (45) is now USF's career-leader in FGs made and sixth in scoring (355)... Porter (1906 yds.) is nearing the 2,000 yard rushing mark, which ranks him 9th all-time... Eric Anderson (191) is closing in on 200 career tackles... Jordan Taylor (1435) approaches the 1500-yard rushing mark... Jeremiah Oates (868) will soon crack 1,000 yards receiving

Perkins' Pocket Presence
Although WSU wasn't his best game, senior QB Taylor Perkins numbers are still fairly solid. Perkins has thrown at least one TD pass in 10 consecutive games and claims a 17 to three TD/Int ratio this season alone. He enters the week with 1419 passing yards and a completion rate of 55% on the year.

Turnover Margin
USF boasts 18 takeaways, including 13 interceptions, which gives them one of the nation's-best turnover margins, +8 on the year (1.40/game).

Stats Worth Mentioning
Through five games USF has...
- Two rushing TDs
- Allowed 86 points
- Converted nine of 10 FG attempts
- Had nine different players record an interception

The Receiving End of Things
WSU ended senior WR Jeremiah Oates' six game streak of finding the endzone, holding him to only 17 yards on two receptions. He enters Saturday with 18 receiving TDs in 14 games as a Cougars. He's charted two or more TDs three times in 2012, and five times in his career. Nine touchdowns this season ranks him first on the team in scoring.

Carrington Hanna, who leads USF in both receptions and yards had a career-best 10 catches at WSU increasing his season total to 37 for 533 yards and seven TDs. Three-year letterwinner Austin VaHove was a big-time contributor last weekend. Not only did he represent the only USF touchdown, but he recorded nine catches to lead USF with 89 receiving yards. The Cougars' air attack accounts for 18 of 23 TDs scored this season.

NSIC POW
Through five weeks USF has received a POW nomination twice...
- Braden Wieking: Special Teams (9/17)
- Braden Wieking: Special Teams (10/1)

About Concordia University-St. Paul
After back-to-back winning seasons, Concordia looks to build on that momentum under the new leadership of Ryan Williams. The Golden Bears return plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but are especially strong on the defensive line and special teams. On the defensive line, CU has preseason All-Americans in DE Zach Moore and NG Chris Campbell. Before redshirting in 2011, Moore racked up 10 sacks as a sophomore in 2010. He already has 5.0 in 2012. P/K Tom Obarski comes off a freshman season where he set a school record with a 56 yard FG. He was tabbed NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season.

Where The Cougars Rank Nationally
As of October 6 USF ranks in the top 10 of the NCAA DII in 8 statistical categories. (complete national and conference rankings can be found on page 12)

Up Next
USF stays in Sioux Falls for a revamped rivalry game October 20 at Augustana. It will be their first meeting on the gridiron in 26 years.

Courtesy:  University of Sioux Falls