Northern State University Football: A Legacy of Competition and Achievement

Northern State University's football program, an integral part of the university's athletic history, has a rich tradition dating back to the early 20th century. As a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) since 1978, the Wolves have consistently demonstrated their commitment to athletic excellence. This article explores the history, achievements, and notable figures that have shaped Northern State University football.

Early Years and Program Development

The Northern State University athletic program began in 1902. Football followed in 1903, marking the beginning of a long and storied tradition.

Conference Membership and Competition

Since 1978, Northern State has been a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), competing against 15 other member schools. Despite having the fifth-smallest enrollment among these institutions, the Wolves have consistently demonstrated their competitiveness within the conference.

Home Field and Leadership

The Northern State football team plays its home games at Dacotah Bank Stadium. The team is currently led by head coach Mike Schmidt, who is responsible for guiding the Wolves on the field and shaping the program's future.

Individual and Team Records

Northern State football has a number of impressive team and individual records.

Read also: Northern Kentucky Basketball

Single Game Records (Team)

Most Points: 65 vs U-Mary 10/27/2012, 64 vs UM-Crookston 2005, 64 vs Black Hills State 1969
Most Yards Rushing: 497 vs Huron 1973
Most Passing Attempts: 69 vs St. Cloud State 9/18/2004
Most Pass Completions: 40 vs Winona State 10/13/2007
Most Yards Gained Passing: 502 vs Concordia-St. Paul 2003
Most Passing Touchdowns: 6 (3x, last vs UM-Crookston 10/20/2007
Most First Downs: 35 vs UM-Crookston 2002
Fewest Yards Rushing Allowed: -40 vs MSU Moorhead 9/29/2012, -29 vs UM-Morris 1999, 64 vs Black Hills State 1969
Fewest Yards Passing Allowed: 0 (3 times) last vs Huron 1974
Fewest Total Yards Allowed: 52 at Minnesota-Duluth 1999
Fewest First Downs Allowed: 3 vs Dakota Wesleyan 1973
Fewest Points Allowed: 0 (174 times) last vs UMC 2013

Single Season Records (Team)

Most Points: 456 - 2003
Most Yards Rushing: 3,543 - 1973
Most Passing Attempts: 447 - 2006
Most Pass Completions: 268 - 1990
Most Yards Gained Passing: 3,635 - 2003
Most Passing Touchdowns: 36 - 2003
Most First Downs: 272 - 2003
Fewest Yards Rushing Allowed: 690 - 1968
Fewest Yards Passing Allowed: 405 - 1956
Fewest Total Yards Allowed: 1,457 - 1962
Fewest First Downs Allowed: 76 - 1968
Fewest Points Allowed: 65 - 1962

Single Game Records (Individual)

Longest Scoring Run: 83 Johnny Bentley vs Mayville State 2005
Longest Punt Return: 85 Shaun Wanner vs Minnesota-Duluth 1982, 85 Rick Schliebe vs Valley City State 1969
Longest Scoring Pass: 94 Jimmie Griffin to Brian Jark vs Dickinson State 2006
Longest Pass Play: 94 Jimmie Griffin to Brian Jark 2006
Longest Punt: 95 Jared Harward vs Bemidji State 2001
Longest Kickoff Return: 100 Cody Jamison at Minnesota-Morris 2000, 100 Dave Evens vs Minot State 1983
Longest Interception Return: 100 Tim Hughes vs Wayne State 1995 (TD)
Longest Fumble Recovery Return: 97 Craig Caspers vs Winona State 1975 (TD)
Longest Field Goal: 54 Rich Andrzejewski vs USD/Springfield 1970
Most Rushing Attempts: 51 Tyrone Morgan vs Winona State 1998
Yards Gained Rushing: 278 Tyrone Morgan vs Moorhead State 1998
Passing Attempts: 69 Andrew Corre vs St. Cloud State 2004
Pass Completions: 39 Eric Ellingson vs Winona State 2007
Yards Gained Passing: 502 Toby Korrodi vs Conc.-St. Paul 2003
Touchdown Passes: 6 (2x, last Eric Ellingson vs UIU 2007
Most Receptions: 15 Boyd Brandsrud vs Minn.-Duluth 1994
Most Yards Receiving: 269 Rick Knecht vs UM-Morris 1992
Total Offense: 511 Kip Kieso vs UM-Morris 1992
Most Kickoff Return Yards: 302 Cody Jamison at Winona State 2001
Interceptions: 4, Dick Maynes vs Huron 1968
Avg Yards/Rush: 11.5 Tyrone Morgan vs Conc.-St. Paul 1999
Rushing Touchdowns: 4 (seven times)
Pass Completion Pct: 90.0 (9-10) Andrew Corre vs Mayville State 2005
Avg Yards/Catch (min. 3 catches): 35.0 Adam Syphers (4/140) vs Bemidji St. 2003
Pass Reception Touchdowns: 4 Charlie Johnston vs Conc.-St. Paul 2003, 4 Adam Syphers vs Conc.-St. Paul 2000
All-Purpose Yards: 350 Tyrone Morgan vs Minn.-Duluth 1998
Touchdowns Scored: 5 Johnny Bentley vs Mayville State 2005, 5 Tyrone Morgan vs Bemidji State 1999
PAT Kicks Made: 8 Felipe Alfaia vs U-Mary 10/27/2012, 8 Owen Olson vs MSU Moorhead 2003, 8 Pete Peterson vs MSU Moorhead 1999
Field Goals Made: 4 Owen Olson vs Conc.-St. Paul 2003
Interception Return Yards: 95 Una Latu vs Bemidji State 2006
Total Tackles: 15, 3 times - last Anthony Ponzo vs WSU 2008
Tackles for Loss: 5.0 (three players tied)
Quarterback Sacks: 3.0 (five times)

Single Season Records (Individual)

Most Rushing Attempts: 318 Tyrone Morgan 1998
Yards Gained Rushing: 1,838 Tyrone Morgan 1998
Passing Attempts: 428 Toby Korrodi 2003
Pass Completions: 260 Eric Ellingson 2008
Yards Gained Passing: 3,528 Toby Korrodi 2003
Touchdown Passes: 36 Toby Korrodi 2003
Most Receptions: 84 Brian Jark 2006
Most Yards Receiving: 1,068 Brent Sheehan 1992
Total Offense: 3,441 Toby Korrodi 2003
Most Kickoffs Returned: 33 Cody Jamison 2001
Most Kickoff Return Yards: 843 Cody Jamison 2001
Most Punt Returns: 40 Brent Sheehan 1990
Most Punt Return Yards: 495 Brent Sheehan 1990
Interceptions: 11 Dick Maynes 1968
Avg Yards/Rush (min. 25 atts.): 6.50 Johnny Bentley 2005
Rushing Touchdowns: 22 Tyrone Morgan 1998
Pass Completion Pct (min. 50 att.): 64.2 John Russell 2005
Avg Yards/Catch (min. 25 rec.): 23.78 Adam Syphers 2000
Pass Reception Touchdowns: 11 Charlie Johnston 2003
All-Purpose Yards: 2,146 Tyrone Morgan 1998
Touchdowns Scored: 24 Tyrone Morgan 1998
PAT Kicks Made: 48 Owen Olson (48-54) 2003
Field Goals Made: 14 Owen Olson (14-18) 2003
Interception Return Yards: 126 Una Latu (4/126) 2005
Total Tackles: 124 Steve Espinoza 2004
Tackles for Loss: 25.0 Charlie Williams 2003
Yards from Tackles for Loss: 122 Marcus Tynanes 1999
Quarterback Sacks: 12.0 Charlie Williams 2003, 12.0 Marcus Tynanes 1999

Career Records (Individual)

Most Rushing Attempts: 830 Tyrone Morgan 1998-00
Yards Gained Rushing: 4,816 Tyrone Morgan 1998-00
Passing Attempts: 1,555 Jason Landmark 1986-89
Pass Completions: 831 Jason Landmark 1986-89
Yards Gained Passing: 11,152 Jason Landmark 1986-89
Touchdown Passes: 67 Jason Landmark 1986-89
Most Receptions: 250 Brian Jark 2006-09
Most Yards Receiving: 3,072 Brent Sheehan 1989-92
Total Offense: 9,966 Jason Landmark 1986-89
Most Kickoffs Returned: 75 Brent Sheehan 1989-92
Most Kickoff Return Yards: 1,731 Brent Sheehan 1989-92
Most Punt Returns: 99 Brent Sheehan 1989-92
Most Punt Return Yards: 1,101 Brent Sheehan 1989-92
Interceptions: 22 Dick Maynes 1966-69
Avg Yards/Rush (min. 75 att.): 5.80 Tyrone Morgan 1998-00
Rushing Touchdowns: 56 Tyrone Morgan 1998-00
Pass Completion Pct (min. 100 att.): 64.2 John Russell 2005
**Avg Yards/Catch (min.

Fan Support and Mascot

Northern State athletics benefit from strong support from both students and the local community. Men's and women's basketball, as well as football, consistently rank among the top ten nationally for NCAA Division II attendance. Thunder the Wolf serves as the official mascot of the Wolves and Northern State University. Thunder appears in a variety of sports uniforms and day clothes, embodying the spirit and enthusiasm of the university and its athletic programs. Prior to Thunder, the mascot had been known as "Waldo" since the 1950s.

Read also: The Story of UNI Panthers Football

tags: #Northern #State #University #football #history