DULUTH, Minn. – For the second straight week, Northern State came up with a key play in the closing seconds to defeat a foe for the first time in about a decade.

The latest thrilling victory came Saturday when Jeremy Caruso kicked a game-winning 38-yard field goal on the final play to seal a 24-21 win over Minnesota-Duluth in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football action. It was NSU’s first win over the Bulldogs since 2015.

Last week, the Wolves stopped a two-point conversion with six seconds left to defeat Bemidji State for the first time since 2014.

“What a day for our football program. I’m so proud of our guys,” said Northern coach Mike Schmidt. “They came to play today.”

The Wolves jumped in front 14-0 on touchdowns from Wyatt Block and Ty Wiley, before Duluth scored on the final play of the half.

Hank Kraft scored on the first play of the fourth quarter only to have Duluth respond with back-to-back touchdowns knotting the score at 21-21.

The game-winning drive started on a 31-yard kickoff by Noah Smith.

“That last drive starts with the kickoff return by Noah Smith that gives us tremendous field position and affords us the opportunity to be aggressive and go after the win,” Schmidt said.

The Wolves faced a fourth down on that final drive and converted it to keep the drive going when Daniel Britt threw a four-yard pass to true freshman Cade Kaiser.

“That’s just Daniel and Cade making a play,” Schmidt said. “For a true freshman to step up in that moment gives me goosebumps. Can’t say enough about that conversion that ultimately wins us the game.”

The drive continued and eventually came down to the final play which resulted in Caruso’s game-winning field goal.

“He was dialed in. I didn’t say anything to him. He stepped up with tremendous confidence,” Schmidt said. “Great operation. Great protection. Jeremy just stepped up and drilled that one. Never a doubt.”

Britt finished with 143 yards passing, while Block led the ground game with 77 yards rushing.

Jake Adams once again led the defense with nine tackles.

“Another huge performance by the defense,” Schmidt said. “Those guys are playing downhill right now. We executed our game plan really well.”

The Wolves are now 3-4 after three straight victories. They will look to continue their winning ways when they host Southwest Minnesota State at 6 p.m. Saturday at Dacotah Bank Stadium.

To see a complete box score of the Duluth game, click on the following link:

https://nsuwolves.com/sports/football/stats/2024/minnesota-duluth/boxscore/13618