Box Score MINOT, N.D. – Momentum is a fickle thing.

Just when Minot State University football had all the momentum, one strange play changed the complexity of the game.

The Beavers appeared to pull within three with its second straight third-quarter touchdown when the University of Sioux Falls blocked the PAT and returned it for two points.

The three-point turn-a-round started an 18-0 run over the third and fourth quarter as Sioux Falls pulled away from Minot State to win 42-20 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football Saturday at Herb Parker Stadium.

“After the extra point was blocked, we came from a really good high to pretty low,” said MISU head coach Paul Rudolph. “It was demoralizing. We didn't respond horribly, but we need to keep the momentum like that on our side when we can.”

The play came on the heels of Minot State freshman quarterback Zac Cunha's (Rocklin, Calif.) second straight TD pass, this one to redshirt freshman Porter Sturm (WR, Roy, Mont.) for 15 yards that made it 24-20. Cunha hit Glyn Borel (Jr., WR, San Jose, Calif.) on a short pass that turned into a 64-yard strike after the speedy Borel blew away from the USF secondary.

“I think our wide outs are improving,” Rudolph said. “And Zac is putting the ball where he needs to for the most part.”

Sioux Falls (3-0 overall, 3-0 NSIC) responded with a solid defensive push down the stretch. The Cougars picked off Cunha twice over the final quarter and a half, including a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brett Jensen to seal the win.

Minot State (0-3, 0-3) opened the scoring with a trick play as senior Blake Eggl (RB, Minot, N.D.) hit Wayne Peters (Jr., WR, Carson, Calif.) on a fake sweep for a 63-yard TD with 41 seconds remaining in the first quarter. It was Eggl's first collegiate touchdown toss.

“We saw some things on film where they were pretty darn aggressive. Our staff saw something and put our players in position to take advantage of it,” said Rudolph. “It was a great play. Blake sees things really well and doesn't try to overcomplicate things.”

The Cougars countered with 17 straight points to end the half and 24-straight before the Borel TD. Three of those TDs were on passes from Taylor Perkins to Jeremiah Oats, covering 50, 7 and 38 yards.

“Their quarterback has made big strides and it made the difference in today's game. He put the ball where it needed to be and allowed his team to make some big plays,” said Rudolph.
Perkins was 19 for 36 for 287 yards and four TDs. He was also the leading rusher for USF with 46 yards on nine carries. Oats finished with 126 yards on six catches.

Eggl had 44 yards on 14 carries on the ground and the one passing touchdown. Cunha was 18 for 39 for 207 yards and two TDs, but was intercepted four times. Peters and Borel each caught six passes for MISU with Peters finishing with 107 yards and Borel added 99.

Minot State is back on the road next week as they take on Upper Iowa at Fayette, Iowa.