Perfect after their first nine games, the Morningside College football team finally has Coach Steve Ryan's permission to think about those defending NAIA national champions from the University of Sioux Falls.

Methodically taking care of business all season long, the Mustangs cleared away the last remaining distraction to that game that has lurked the entire autumn on the end of their 10-game regular season schedule.

After a 45-17 verdict over crosstown rival Briar Cliff kept fourth-ranked Morningside a perfect 8-0 in the "Battle for the Saddle,'' the stage was officially set for next Saturday's showdown with top-ranked Sioux Falls.

The two undefeated Great Plains Athletic Conference co-leaders collide in a 1 p.m. matchup at Olsen Stadium., where a 27-26 Morningside verdict on Oct. 15, 2005, marked the last regular season defeat for the Cougars of USF.

Sioux Falls has won 43 regular season games in a row since that setback, which also happens to be USF's only loss in their last 83 GPAC starts.

The Cougars, who've sandwiched two national championships around a runner-up finish the last three years, are 10-0 this season, which includes a non-conference win over the University of North Dakota, an FCS program (formerly NCAA Division I-AA).

Morningside, meanwhile, is 9-0, playing strictly conference rivals. And, win No. 9 was much like the previous eight, featuring more highlights from the senior trio of running back Jake Peterson, wide receiver Beau Kildow and quarterback Tim Richard.

Peterson carried 17 times for 140 yards, most of that in the first half, and became the school's single-season rushing leader with 1,391 yards. Dave Bigler, who held the mark of 1,325 yards since 1971, was on hand to see that standard fall.

Peterson's three touchdowns, all in the first half, also hiked his school record for rushing TDs in a season to 19.

Meanwhile, Kildow's 35-yard score on a short pass from Richard, marked his 35th career touchdown, surpassing the mark of 34 set just a year ago by running back Tyler Childress. It was one of 11 catches in a 154-yard day by Kildow, who now has 60 grabs for 1,099 yards after hauling in 64 for 977 in an All-American junior year.

Statistics and milestones, though, were just the perks.

"You worked all year to be exactly where you are right now,'' Morningside's Ryan told his team during a brief post-game meeting at the west end of Memorial Field.

"We've been waiting for this all year,'' said senior linebacker Brett Nickolite, who partially blocked two punts to help Morningside's special teams deal Saturday's knockout punch.

"They've got the best special teams in this conference,'' said Briar Cliff Coach Tom Rethman, whose team visits Nebraska Wesleyan in its season finale next Saturday. "They are so scary on their punt block unit. I was sitting there breaking down the Doane film (78-14 rout last week) and (Doane's) first six punts (Morningside) had six different looks. If your guys aren't on top of that, they're going to find that crease.''

Added to its normal offensive weapons, Rethman said Morningside's special teams have helped the Mustangs gain separation in the score. And, indeed, that was the case yet again as a team all but assured of its sixth consecutive national playoff berth scored three times in the final 6:21 of the half to take a 28-3 cushion into the recess.

Even though BC freshman Lehi Tonga hit Luke Roder with a 33-yard TD pass to open the second-half scoring, Morningside came up with the next 17 points and was able to turn to its bench for nearly the entire fourth quarter.

"We scored in spurts and then we got lethargic,'' said Ryan. "This is exciting, though. Now, you're into the next season. You want the last game to mean something and now it does.''

Tonga added a 25-yard touchdown keeper with 2:00 left on the clock, capping an 80-yard march against Morningside reserves. However, aside from 75 yards (plus a penalty) the Chargers picked up on that march, they were outgained 394-142.

"Briar Cliff has improved for sure,'' said Morningside's Peterson. "They're not the same team as last year (73-8 Morningside frolic). They had some guys flying around defensively.''

Senior linebacker Jarrod Mackovicka, the GPAC leader in tackles, had another big outing, figuring in 18 tacles for BC. Teammate Eric Bolin was next with 10 stops while Nickolite paced Morningside with nine.

Morningside 45, Briar Cliff 17

Morningside 7 21 10 7 - 45

Briar Cliff 0 3 7 7 - 17

First Quarter

MOR: Jake Peterson 3 run (C.J. Gradoville kick) 5:06

Second Quarter

BC: FG Josh McKean 37, 12:00

MOR: Joe Don Hunter 2 run (Gradoville kick) 6:21

MOR: Peterson 2 run (Gradoville kick) 2:21

MOR: Peterson 1 run (Gradoville kick) 0:06

Third Quarter

BC: Luke Roder 33 pass from Lehi Tonga (McKean kick) 10:44

MOR: Beau Kildow 35 pass from Tim Richard (Gradoville kick)

MOR: FG Gradoville 27

Fourth Quarter

MOR: Hunter 2 run (Gradoville kick) 13:49

BC: Tonga 25 run (McKean kick) 2:00

TEAM STATISTICS

Morn BC

First downs 18 13

Rushes-yards 38-182 23-30

Passing yards 212 187

Passes 19-32-2 23-40-1

Total plays-yards 70-394 63-217

Punts-average 4-40.8 9-29.1

Fumbles-lost 1-0 1-0

Penalties-yards 3-21 8-55

Possession time 27:42 32:18

Third down conversions 3-13 4-16

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Morningside - Jake Peterson 17-140, Joe Don Hunter 15-45, Pete Lewis 3-4, Tim richard 3-(-7). Briar Cliff - Lehi Tonga 7-27, Stavhn Leavy 7-13, Andrew Prohaska 3-9, Damien Eichelberger 3-5, Ryan Hajek 1-(-7), Team 2-(-17).

PASSING: Morningside - Richard 18-30-1-208, John Sievert 1-2-1-4. Briar Cliff - Lehi Tonga 22-38-1-178, Ryan Hajek 1-2-0-9.

RECEIVING: Morningside - Beau Kildow 11-154, Joel Nixon 1-40, Bradley Norwood 1-8, Chad Buchholz 1-4, Adam Fuchtman 1-4, Joe Don Hunter 1-4, Jake Peterson 1-(-2). Briar Cliff - Luke Roder 8-75, Chase Colvin 6-39, Stavhn Leavy 3-22, Andrew Prohaska 2-30, David Shepard 2-13, Zac Kliment 2-8.

TACKLES (Solo-Assists-Total)

Morningside: Brett Nickolite 5-4-9, Marshall Barney 4-2-6, Mike Buckley 2-4-6, Ryan Klein 3-2-5, Shawn Doran 3-1-4, Jared Goforth 2-2-4, Marshall Tuttle 2-2-4, Riley Tusha 1-3-4, Travis Uleman 1-2-3, Ben Haugen 0-3-3.

Briar Cliff: Jarrod Makovicka 10-8-18, Eric Bolin 6-4-10, Jonathan Smith 4-4-8, Taylor Schumacher 5-2-7, Brady Summers 3-1-4, Steve Urquidez 1-3-4, Jordan Lester 1-3-4, Cecil Milton 1-2-3, Calvin Christophersen 0-3-3.