SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead football team outscored Augustana 21-0 in the second half, but couldn't overcome a big halftime deficit in a 41-28 loss to the Vikings in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D.
MSUM fell to 0-1 on the young season while Augustana improved to 1-0.
The Dragons had several strong performances in the loss, including from true freshman quarterback Demetrius Carr, who was 30-of-45 passing for 369 yards and three touchdowns in his collegiate debut. He also rushed for 28 yards. Sophomore receiver Preston Prince had nine catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore receiver Adam Jiskra had eight catches for 120 yards and a score. Redshirt freshman receiver Cory Ambrose had four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, sophomore cornerback Chris Binford had a team-high 11 tackles and also added a fumble recovery. Sophomore linebacker Chris Lee had 10 tackles, inluding 1.5 for loss, while freshman defensive lineman Spencer Robbins had a solid collegiate debut with five tackles, including two for loss, and a forced fumble. Sophomore cornerback Jaylen Raye had an interception while redshirt freshman linebacker Aaron Bohl had four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
MSUM outgained Augustana in total offense (431-393) and had 25 first downs to the Vikings' 21. The Dragons also had a huge edge in passing yards (369-166). However, Augustana had a decisive edge in rushing yards (227-62) and in time of possession (more than eight minutes). Both teams committed three turnovers.
The Dragons were intercepted on the game's first play, leading to a 41-yard field goal by Lucas Wainman just 1:22 into the game. MSUM answered with a five-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by a 41-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Ambrose to put the Dragons up 7-3 with 12:14 left in the first half.
However, Augustana got rolling after that, scoring 38 unanswered points over the final 35 minutes of the first half to take a 41-7 lead into halftime. Two big plays for the Vikings were a fumble return for a touchdown and a blocked punt return for a touchdown.
MSUM did have a chance to cut into the lead late in the first quarter, but a field goal attempt missed wide left, leaving the Dragons with a 17-7 deficit after one frame.
The Vikings outscored the Dragons 24-0 in the second quarter to take the 41-7 lead into halftime.
"Some of that first half -- we had 17 guys that played in their first college game," Laqua said. "They were making that adjustment to the speed of the college game. There were some jitters and poorly executed plays. Credit Augustana, they capitalized."
The tide turned in the second half for MSUM, however.
Robbins forced a fumble on a bad snap early in the third quarter, and Binford recovered the ball at the Augie 39-yard line. MSUM turned the turnover into points as Carr hit sophomore Zayne Medhaug for a 10-yard gain; he fumbled into the end zone but Jiskra recovered for the Dragons, bringing them within 41-14 with 11:58 left in the third.
MSUM's defense forced another turnover on Augie's ensuing offensive possession, as Bohl hit Trey Heid to force a fumble, which was recovered by Raye to give the Dragons the ball at their own 42-yard line.
The Dragons then moved 58 yards on 11 plays, capped off by a 2-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Prince. With senior Wes Kramer's extra point, MSUM climbed within 41-21 with 6:18 left in the third. Carr was 9-of-10 passing for 91 yards and two scores in the third quarter alone.
"In his first collegiate start, he played a solid football game," Laqua said. "We found out about his leadership and playmaking abilities. We have a bright future in front of us. We have a lot of young guys that did a lot of good things."
The MSUM defense forced the Vikings to turn the ball over on downs on their next possession. The Dragons then went 68 yards on 14 plays and scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Prince to climb within 41-28 -- the closest they had been since early in the contest.
"The character of the guys on the team showed up in the second half," Laqua said. "They kept battling against the odds and were determined to play football at the level they were capable of playing. They weren't happy with the first half and wanted to play like they were capable."
The teams changed punts before Raye came up with a big interception at the Dragon goal line to end a Viking scoring threat with 4:33 left. The Dragons moved into Viking territory twice in the final four minutes but were unable to get more points on the board.
The Dragons host Southwest Minnesota State at 1 p.m. on Sept. 14 to open their home season.
"We got the young players some experience they needed, so they know what it takes to win," Laqua said. "That is the biggest thing we take from it. We got some guys experience who needed experience.
"Our running game has to improve. Our consistency and execution has got to improve. That is what held us back in the first half."
Notes: Senior Derek Bredy, one of the top track athletes in MSUM history, made two catches for 19 yards in his collegiate football debut. He joined the team for his senior season...Augustana now leads the all-time series 3-0...MSUM is now 1-2 in season openers under Laqua.
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Quarterback Demetrius Carr became the first Dragon to throw for at least four touchdowns on the road in an NSIC game since Dustin Long tossed five at Concordia-St. Paul on Oct. 13, 2007. The Dragons lost that game 46-41.
