USF ground game dominates in 50-14 thrashing of Concordia-St. Paul

Concordia-St. Paul has been a recent nemesis for USF, but the Cougars put the Golden Bears away early on Saturday, snapping a two-game home losing streak with a 50-14 bombing at Bob Young Field.

The win avenged a blowout loss to Concordia suffered in the 2019 season opener, while the Cougars needed a Hail Mary in the final seconds to beat the Golden Bears the previous season.

On Saturday, USF dominated the line of scrimmage to the tune of a 393 to -6 rushing advantage, as Thuro Reisdorfer went over 100 yards for the third straight game, picking up 160 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries to lead the way. Landon Freeman rushed for 94 yards and a score, while Jacqueze Lockett and Dylan Rudningen also contributed to the ground attack.

Adam Mullen completed 19-of-27 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown pass to Dom Pegley.

Overall, USF outgained the Bears (1-2) 546-182. Concordia rushed 26 times for -6 yards and completed just 11-of-25 passes for 188 yards. They had only seven first downs.

USF scored the game’s first 17 points on a Pete Slysko field goal and a pair of touchdown runs by Reisdorfer, then, after the Bears got on the board on a 1-yard plunge by Jaylin Richardson, scored another 24 unanswered points to make it 41-7.

Cody Jantzen had five tackles and Joey Wehrkamp a sack to lead the USF defense.

The Cougars (2-1) will visit Northern State at new Dacotah Bank Stadium next Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff.