Defensive Effort Leads NDSCS to Win Over Rival Dakota College - Bottineau; Wildcats Retain LumberCat Trophy

North Dakota State College of Science continued its dominance at home, holding Dakota College – Bottineau to just 186 yards in a 20-6 win Saturday at Frank Vertin Field in Wahpeton. It was the Wildcats fourth consecutive home win and 21st win in their last 23 games in Wahpeton.

Bottineau’s six points is the fewest allowed by NDSCS since shutting out Ridewater College in Week 3 last season.

Since allowing 47 points and 479 yards to Itasca CC in the Wildcats lone loss this season, NDSCS has bounced back by holding its last two opponents to fewer than 200 yards of total offense and just 26 total points.

Coach Eric Issendorf’s group has also gotten back to an extremely physical brand of football that guided his team to a 9-2 mark in his inaugural season.

The Wildcats rushed for 294 yards as a team, a new season-high.

Freshman Desean Phillips rushed for 149 yards on 23 carries. He now has back-to-back 100-yard games and has hit the century mark in three of his four games. It was the most yards DCB has allowed to a back this season.

The Wildcats are undefeated when Phillips rushes for at least 100 yards. He entered the week second nationally in yards per game (117.3) and sixth in rushing yards (352) and 12th in touchdowns (3).

Classmate Brendan McMillan had yet another impressive showing with 11 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown, nearly tripling his yardage entering Saturday.

Redshirt freshman bulldozer Kordell Ellis added 48 yards on just seven carries.

NDSCS dominated time of possession 35:09 to 24:51 behind 20 first downs.

With the win, the Wildcats move to 1-0 in the MCAC West, taking them atop the division standings. Minnesota State-Fergus Falls could join them at 1-0 with a win over Northland on Sunday.

NDSCS will visit Minnesota State-Fergus Falls next Saturday with the winner likely taking sole possession of first place in the division.

NDSCS 20, Dakota College – Bottineau 6

Dakota College 0 6 0 0 6

NDSCS 0 7 6 7 20

Scoring summary:

13:34 2nd: NDSCS-Desean Phillips 21 yard TD run (Skeesick PAT) 7-0 NDSCS

8:07 2nd: DCB-Tex Thompson 1 yard TD run (PAT blocked) 7-6 NDSCS

4:23 3rd: NDSCS-Phillips 1 yd. TD run (PAT misses) 13-6 NDSCS

1:14 4th: NDSCS-Brendan McMillan 1 yd. TD run 20-6 NDSCS