Box Score CROOKSTON, Minn. – St. Cloud State University (SCSU) raced out to 27-3 halftime lead and led 36-3 after three quarters before holding on to defeat the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) 36-24 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Football game today at Ed Widseth Field in Crookston, Minn.

The Huskies struck early when Phillip Klaphake threw a 74 yard touchdown pass to Eli Shoemaker at 12:06 of the first quarter on the opening play from scrimmage for St. Cloud State. Taylor Berger's extra point made the score 7-0. SCSU went up by two touchdowns with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter when Chad Peterson caught a three-yard pass from Klaphake and Berger followed with another extra point. UMC got on the board at 11:32 of the second quarter when Stephen Henderson (6-6, Sr, K/TE, Chatsworth, Cal.) kicked a 35-yard field goal to make the score 14-3. The Huskies responded at 5:43 when Michael Walker scampered for 14 yards to pay dirt. Berger's extra point attempt was blocked to make the score 20-3. Klaphake and Shoemaker hooked up again at 3:49 with a 36-yard touchdown reception. Berger's extra point made the score 27-3 going into halftime.

Klaphake's stellar play continued in the third quarter when he found Grant Thayer on a 19-yard pass at 4:13. Berger's extra point made the score 34-3. An SCSU safety at 1:37 of the third made the score 36-3 in favor of the Huskies.

UMC fought hard throughout the game and would not go away as evidenced by a 21 point fourth quarter. A.J. Barge (6-3, SO, QB, Carrollton, Georgia) found the end zone with a two-yard rush at 10:48 and Henderson's extra point made the score 36-10. Barge hooked up with Marcus Cheatham (5-11, Jr, WR, Stockton, Cal.) on a nine-yard touchdown pass with 3:51 remaining in the game. Henderson's extra point made the score 36-17. After another hold by the Golden Eagle defense, UMC got the ball back and refused to quit scoring on the last play of the game when Josh Ross (6-4, Fr, WR, Palmdale, Cal.) caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Barge. Henderson's extra point was good and made the final score 36-24 in favor of SCSU.

Klaphake was 10-18 for 229 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. He also had seven carries for 71 yards. Peterson had five receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown. Shoemaker had two receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Walker rushed five times for 36 yards and one touchdown. Thomas Johnson led the Huskies on the defensive side of the ball with 12 tackles (eight solo/four assisted).

UMC's Barge was 23-of-35 for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 14 times for 45 yards and one touchdown. Ross recorded eight receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown. Cheatham had five receptions for 39 yards and one touchdown. Richard Haley (6-0, Sr, RB, Detroit, Mich.) led all rushers with 95 yards on 21 carries despite being sidelined late in the game due to injuries. Wes Tucker (6-1, Fr, RB, West St. Paul) rushed six times for 32 yards. Paul Webster (5-10, Jr, DB, Opolaka, Fla.) led UMC on defense with seven tackles (six solo/one assisted). Cecil Brown, Jr. (5-10, Sr, DB, Edison, Georgia) continued his outstanding play on defense with five solo tackles.

St. Cloud State University improves to 4-2 overall and 4-2 in the NSIC. The Golden Eagles fall to 1-5 overall and 1-5 in the NSIC.

The 24 points scored by UMC is the most the Golden Eagles have ever scored in their nine meetings. In addition, the 36 points the defense held SCSU to is the least the Huskies have ever scored in the nine meetings between the two schools. In fact, SCSU had averaged 50.1 points against previous UMC defenses over the previous eight meetings with the Golden Eagles. UMC held St. Cloud State to only nine points in the second half.

UMC returns to NSIC action on Saturday, October 13 when they travel down highway 75 to face Minnesota State University Moorhead in the “Red River Valley Showdown”. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Alex Nemzek Stadium.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics. The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

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