Box Score ABERDEEN, S.D. – Minot State University dug itself a hole if never fully climbed out of.

Northern State University built a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter and then held off a couple charges by the Beavers for a 31-17 win over Minot State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football Saturday at Swisher Field.

The Beavers (1-5 overall, 1-1 NSIC North) were never out of the game until the end as MISU climbed back to a one-score game at 14-7 but couldn't get closer than that. NSU built leads of 21-7 and 28-17.

The comeback attempt never materialized as NSU held a 449-270 advantage. The Beavers managed just 41 yards rushing on the day. Meanwhile, the Wolves churned up 119 yards rushing and 330 yards passing. MISU dodged a couple bullets with a pair of interceptions one each by Cooper Helm (R-Fr., DB, Wenatchee, Wash.) and Levi Freidt (So., DB, Minot, N.D.).

The Wolves (3-3 overall, 2-0 NSIC North) jumped out to the early lead with a pair of TD passes from Jared Jacobson. He hit Jordan Piatz from 23 yards out with 5:50 to play in the first quarter and then Chris Morton from 67 yards out a little over a minute later.

Minot State got on the board with a 57 yard TD pass from Zac Cunha (Fr., QB, Rocklin, Calif.) to Porter Sturm (R-Fr., WR, Roy, Mont.) with 1:48 to play in the quarter. Sturm had another solid game, catching five passes for 143 yards and the one TD.

Turnovers again played a key role the Beavers loss as Northern State's third touchdown was set up by a sack and subsequent fumble recovered by Logan Dosch at the MISU 14. Jacobson tossed his third TD, this one to Mark Hanley, three plays later for the 21-7 lead.

Minot State's Aaron La Deaux (Fr., K/P, Port Orchard, Wash.) cut the lead to 21-10 with a 35 yard field goal with 6:25 to play in the third quarter, but Northern pushed right back with another Jacobson to Hanley TD on the ensuing drive.

Blake Eggl (Sr., RB, Minot, N.D.) scored the Beavers final TD as he rumbled in from 2 yards out on the last play of the third quarter. The TD was set up by a 63 yard bomb from Cunha to Sturm.

But NSU closed out the win with a Felipe Alfaia field goal off another Minot State turnover with just three minutes to play.

Jacobson was 25 for 44 with four TDs and two interceptions for the Wolves and also led the team with 71 yards rushing on 15 carries. Morton finished with 80 yards receiving to lead NSU.

Cunha completed just 12 passes, going 12 for 30 for 229 yards with one TD and one interception. Eggl gained 50 yards rushing on 12 carries and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season. Wayne Peters (Jr., WR, Carson, Calif.) joined Sturm with a solid day catching passes, hauling in four for 70 yards. Chad Marshall (Jr., LB, Hazen, N.D.) paced the defense with seven tackles, while Luke Artz (Jr., DL, Bottineau, N.D.), Casey Weinmann (So., LB, Selz, N.D.) and Freidt all finished with six stops for Minot State.

The Beavers are back at home with national ranked Minnesota Duluth on Family Weekend Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m. at Herb Parker Stadium