Box Score It might have only been his fourth career collegiate field goal, but it's one Dan Branger won't soon forget.

The University of Minnesota Duluth sophomore, who is in his first season of placekicking duties, nailed a 27-yarder in the second overtime to give the Bulldogs a heart-pounding 34-31 victory over Wayne State College Saturday afternoon in Wayne, Neb. The host Wildcats had a chance to defeat UMD for just the second time in 14 lifetime games in the first overtime, but their 20-yard field goal attempt was blocked by UMD junior linebacker Gus Wedig. Wayne State had the ball second-and-goal from the UMD one-yard line but elected to kick rather than take at least two more cracks at the end zone. The Wildcats had the ball in the opening series of the second overtime and, like the Bulldogs had done in the first extra session, threw an interception.

For the fourth time in as many games this season, the Bulldogs trailed after the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Ben Everhart  put UMD back on top 24-21 with an 8-yard scoring run 2:39 into fourth quarter. The two clubs then exchanged touchdowns within a three minute span later that quarter before Ethan Knudson's 20-yard field goal with 5 seconds to go in regulation forced overtime. 

Evehart, who was making just his second collegiate start, rolled up 422 yards through the air -- the third highest single-game total in team history -- and one touchdown while connecting on 27 of 44 throws. His primary target, junior wide out Jason Balts, also had a monster afternoon, catching nine passes (equaling his career best) for 217 yards and one score (a 32-yard second quarter strike). Those 217 yards were just 32 yards shy of the UMD program record and the third most ever turned in by a Bulldog. UMD and Wayne State, which are now both 2-2 overall, combined for just 83 rushing yards. Junior running back Anthony Wood accounted for 35 of UMD's 46 ground yards on 12 carries. He also scored the game's final touchdown.

Everhart, who was making just his second start ever with the Bulldogs, rolled up 422 yards through the air -- the third highest single-game total in team history -- and a pair of touchdowns while connecting on 27 of 44 throws. His primary target, junior wide out Jason Balts, also had a monster afternoon, catching nine passes (equaling his career best) for 217 yards and one score (a 32-yard second quarter strike). Those 217 yards were just 32 yards shy of the UMD program record and the third most ever turned in by a Bulldog.  UMD and Wayne State, which are now both 2-2 overall, combined for just 83 rushing yards. Junior running back Anthony Wood accounted for 35 of UMD's 46 ground yards on 12 carries. He also scored the game's final touchdown.

UMD, which came into the afternoon with just two total sacks on the year, registered four (for a minus-35 yards) in the triumph.  Senior free safety Kegan Wirtz led both teams with nine tackles while sophomore cornerback Bishop McDonald and senior outside linebacker Zach Bassuener each were in on six stops. Both first-year freshmen cornerback Justic'e King and junior cornerback Dennis Archibald, a 2017 transfer, picked up their first interceptions as Bulldogs.

This marked the first time UMD went beyond regulation to settle a game since it down Ouachita Baptist University 48-45 in double overtime in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The Bulldogs will return to James S. Malosky Stadium this Thursday night (Sept. 28) for their 2017 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division debut against St. Cloud State University.