Cougars Fall at U-Mary, 17-10

The University of Sioux Falls football team fell to 1-2 on the season in a hard-fought road loss on Saturday, falling 17-10 to the University of Mary in front of a crowd of 2,739 at the MDU Resources Bowl.

For the second consecutive game, running back Nephi Garcia and quarterback Luke Papillion gave strong rushing performances for the Cougars, but turnovers and penalties hurt USF, while the Marauders enjoyed a strong passing attack.

Garcia rushed for 111 yards on 24 carries, his second straight 100-yard game, while Papillion rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown. The freshman signal-caller also completed 10-of-29 passes for 95 yards.

For Mary (2-1), Craig Bagnell was 25-of-49 for 323 yards passing.

The Cougars got on the board first, as Papillion scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the season from five yards out, capping a 10-play, 39-yard drive.

Mary answered immediately with a Bagnell pass to Nick Jolliffe, and the score remained tied 7-7 at halftime.

The Cougar defense stiffened at the end of a 12-play, 65-yard Marauder drive early in the third, but Mary converted a 20-yard field goal to go up 10-7.

One series later, USF's Bradley Hatfield hit a career-long 44-yard field goal to tie it at 10.

It stayed that way until Vince Ferrante's 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game-winner.

Broughan Jantz led USF with 10 tackles, while Solomon St. Pierre and Clint Wilson each had eight. John Tidwell had six tackles and an interception, while true freshman Evan Gentry had six tackles and his first career sack. Thad Campbell and Jonathan Talbot each made seven stops for the Cougars.

Austin Vanhove was USF's leading receiver with four catches for 44 yards. Jace Bunkers averaged 35.4 yards on seven punts, including a career-long 71-yarder. He also had two punts downed inside the 20.

The Cougars return home next week when they face the University of Minnesota Crookston at Bob Young Field. The Golden Eagles (0-3) are the last NSIC team that USF has not yet played since joining the conference.

Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#84 Austin Vanhove: TE; 6' 4"; Freshman

Solomon St. Pierre: DB; 5' 11"; Freshman

#26 John Tidwell: DB; 6' 0"; Freshman

Clint Wilson: LB; 6' 1"; Freshman

#86 Jace Bunkers: K; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#42 Jonathan Talbot: LB; 6' 2"; Junior

#3 Nephi Garcia: RB; 5' 7"; Junior

#69 Evan Gentry: DL; 6' 3"; Freshman

#47 Broughan Jantz: DB; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#84 Austin Vanhove
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: TE

Solomon St. Pierre
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: DB

#26 John Tidwell
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: DB

Clint Wilson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: LB

#86 Jace Bunkers
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: K

#42 Jonathan Talbot
: 6' 2"; Junior
: LB

#3 Nephi Garcia
: 5' 7"; Junior
: RB

#69 Evan Gentry
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: DL

#47 Broughan Jantz
: 6' 2"; Junior
: DB