SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The No. 23-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth could not get its offense started on Saturday afternoon, falling 34-3 in an interdivisional Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match-up against the University of Sioux Falls at Bob Young Field.

Each team converted a turnover to points in the first quarter with Sioux Falls (5-2, 2-2 NSIC South) scoring first, with Thuro Reisdorfer breaking off a 64-yard rush for a touchdown just under five minutes into the game. No. 23 UMD (5-2, 4-0 NSIC North) would take advantage of a muffed punt return, getting on the board courtesy of a Dan Branger field goal. The senior knocked in a 40-yard attempt with 7:08 remaining in the quarter.

The Bulldogs and Cougars held each other's offenses to a combined 11 first downs in the opening half, trading punts on each of the next eight drives before Reisdorfer broke off another long rush, putting the Cougars up by two scores with a 48-yard rush with 5:38 remaining in the half. USF added to its lead on its next drive with another long strike, this time as Caden Walters connected with Nate Johnson for a 44-yard touchdown with 3:12 remaining. After missing the extra-point attempt, the Cougars would intercept sophomore quarterback Garrett Olson and again turn a giveaway into points, with Walters rushing for a six-yard touchdown in the closing seconds of the half, allowing Sioux Falls to take a 27-3 lead to the break. 

UMD drove the field to start the second half but stalled out on a fourth down play inside the 10-yard line, unable to make good on a 13-play, 71-yard drive. USF turned the ball over on downs and went 11 plays and 96 yards the other way to add to its lead in the third. The Bulldogs added another turnover early in the fourth, totalling three giveaways on the day. 

Sioux Falls collected 408 yards of offense, including 300 yards on the ground, while holding UMD to just 133 total yards and six rushing yards.

NOTABLE
UMD was held to just 48 total yards in the first half, and five yards on the ground. Despite trailing in the first half, the Bulldogs actually had more plays (35) than Sioux Falls (33) … after splitting time with redshirt freshman Keagan Calchera in week six, Olson took the majority of snaps for UMD, going 14-for-30 for 109 yards with a pair of interceptions while on the other side, Walters finished 8-for-18 with 108 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding another on the ground … Eric Schmitz and Barry Moreland each collected six tackles on the day to lead UMD defensively.

UP NEXT
UMD returns to Malosky Stadium for its final home outings of the season beginning next week hosting Upper Iowa University (0-6, 0-4 NSIC South). Opening kick is set for just after 1 p.m. broadcasting live on the My9 Sports Network and umdbulldogs.com/watch. The game can also be heard locally on KDAL 610 AM/103.9 FM and streaming live on kdal610.com. Tickets remain available for the Bulldogs' final home stand.

Follow UMD Athletics all season long by connecting with the Bulldogs on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and subscribing to the Bulldog Productions channel on YouTube. Tickets for all Bulldog home contests are available by accessing your My Bulldog Account, or clicking here.