One team's five-game losing streak is going to end today.
Northern State (1-5, 0-5 NSIC) hosts Minnesota-Crookston (1-5, 0-5) at 2:30 p.m. today at Swisher Field in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference college football game. It will be the Wolves' 56th annual Shrine Game.
Proceeds from the game will go to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Northern State is 38-16-1 all-time in its annual Shrine Game, which is one of the longest running Shrine Games in the nation.
The Wolves and the Golden Eagles both won their season openers, but neither has won since and both have five-game losing streaks entering today's game. Northern nearly won last week against Augustana College, but the Vikings escaped Aberdeen with the win on a late touchdown.
“We just have to finish,” Northern State coach Tom Dosch said. “We played really well for most of the game and put ourselves in position to win and we weren't able to finish. Now we are really concentrating on moving forward.”
The Wolves' main concentration on defense is stopping the Golden Eagles' rushing attack. Crookston's Richard Haley leads NCAA Division II in rushing yards per game (170.8) and has twice rushed for over 200 yards this season. The Grand Rapids Community College transfer has been held under the 100-yard rushing plateau just once this season.
“He is the best running back we have seen so far in our seventh game now,” Dosch said. “Richard Haley is a strong enough guy that he breaks a lot tackles, but he is also fast and athletic enough that he makes people miss too.”
Crookston averages an NSIC-leading 258 rushing yards per game, which is also sixth best in the nation. The Wolves' defense allowed only 40 rushing yards last week and gives up 76 rushing yards per game, eighth best in the conference.
“It really boils down to a new opponent,” Dosch said. “You really have a new game plan because their running style and their schemes that they do in terms of running the ball are really a lot different than what Augustana does.”
The Wolves racked up a season-high 245 yards on the ground last week. NSU junior running back Kristin James had 152 rushing yards on 31 carries and one rushing touchdown. Northern quarterback Nick Wanner passed for 228 yards last week and the Wolves' offense racked up 473 total yards.
“We showed pretty good balance the last couple of weeks by trying to run the ball,” Dosch said. “Any time you do that is sets up your passing game and vice versa.”
Game Notes: The game will be broadcast on 94.1 FM. ... NSU leads the all-time series 11-1. The Golden Eagles' lone win over the Wolves was in 2000 when they claimed a 25-21 victory. The Wolves won last year's meeting 38-0 in Crookston. ... Wide receiver Mark Hanley and defensive lineman Jalon Bibbs are both doubtful for the game after injuries sustained last week. NSU safety Matt Racowschi will be out again this week and Ipswich graduate Jayson Geditz will start again at the strong safety spot. ... Minnesota-Crookston has lost 31 straight NSIC games.
PAST SHRINE GAMES
NSU is 38-16-1
2010: NSU 16, Moorhead 7
2009: Bemidji 42, NSU 20
2008: Upper Iowa 31, NSU 26
2007: NSU 21, Moorhead 20
2006: NSU 31, Minnesota-Crookston 6
2005: NSU 64, Crookston 13
