The offense was grounded, so Fargo South found other methods to manufacture points Friday at the Fargodome.
While the Bruins offense was ineffective against an unexpected defense, South's special teams and defense turned in some pretty plays to get the job done.
The Bruins returned a kickoff, a fumble and a punt for touchdowns en route to a 26-5 victory against Devils Lake in Eastern Dakota Conference football.
"Our offense wasn't working so we needed to find another way to score points," said South defensive end Alex St. Marie, who scored a touchdown on a fumble return. "It was good to get this one out of our system."
The Bruins (4-2, 3-1 EDC) built a 20-5 heading into the fourth quarter, despite just 77 yards of offense and four first downs through the first three quarters.
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South finished with 177 yards and nine first downs, but struggled to solve the Firebirds 5-2 defense.
"They ran a different defense than we practiced against all week and we got confused," said St. Marie, who also plays tight end.
"We just started falling apart," South quarterback Justin Lundblad said.
But on the strength of Drew Zimmerman's 94-yard kickoff return in the first quarter, the Bruins held a 6-5 halftime lead.
South scored two touchdowns in the third quarter without its offense touching the ball to take control.
St. Marie started the rally, scooping up a fumble and scurrying 23 yards into the end zone. Lundblad set up the play, sacking Devils Lake quarterback Jeremy Davis and jarring the ball loose.
The Bruins forced the Firebirds to punt after three plays on Devils Lake's second possession of the second half.
Lundblad returned the ensuing punt 48 yards for a touchdown and staked the Bruins to a 20-5 lead with 8:34 remaining in the third quarter.
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"If you're a good team you find other ways to score," Lundblad said. "It probably wasn't the prettiest game I've played in, but a win's a win."
Devils Lake 5 0 0 0-- 5
Fargo South 6 0 14 6-- 26
DL--Safety, Gathman blocked punt through end zone
DL--Boen 29 FG
FS--Zimmerman 94 kick return (kick failed)
FS--St. Marie 23 fumble return (Rude kick)
FS--Lundblad 48 punt return (Rude kick)
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FS--Feigum 2 run (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: DL, Flynn 24-71, Schlieve 8-23, Engh 7-23, Lundon 2-14, Myrum 2-6, Davis 4-(-12). FS, Johnson 16-17, Lundblad 10-38, Feigum 7-27, Dawson 1-13.
PASSING: DL, Davis 4-14-2 88 yards, Lundon 0-1-0 0. FS, Lundblad 4-13-1 32, Dawson 0-1-1 0.
RECEIVING: DL, Gathman 2-59, Lagein 1-15, Flynn 1-14. FS, Wurzbacher 4-32.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513
