Moorhead, Minn. – The Dragons returned home Saturday to host University of Minnesota Crookston for their homecoming game. The stands were filled with over 3,300 spectators, including members of the 1979 Dragon Football team.
This was also a special day for former MSUM Sports Information Director Larry Scott who will be inducted into the Dragon Hall of Fame for all his years of service and loyalty to the Athletic Department.
The Dragons defense was on their game after keeping the Golden Eagles to 24 yards and forcing a punt in their first drive of the game. The Dragons offense took the ball all the way to the Golden Eagle 25-yard line but freshman Zach Fry fumbled the ball while trying to avoid a sack.
The Dragons would regain the ball after a three and out and a short punt. Tyrone Small III snagged a 23-yard pass from Fry and maintained possession despite a hard hit from junior safety Cody Brekken. The Dragons topped off the end of the drive with a touchdown pass to fullback Tommy Gochis with 1:47 left in the first quarter.
The Golden Eagles answered back, relying mostly on freshman running back Keith McBride. McBride rushed for 43 yards on the drive, which ended with a Tim Ennis touchdown pass to Jordan Lecher fully extended in the corner of the end zone at 12:35 in the second.
The Dragons looked to answer, taking the ball all the way to Golden Eagle territory, Fry experienced his second blemish of the afternoon when he threw his only interception to Casey Byram.
After two stalled drives by both teams, the Dragons executed a last minute drive and headed into halftime with the lead. Fry looked like anything but a freshman as he drove down the field. The Dragons used their freshmen to great effectiveness as Fry completed a 33-yard pass to Matt Birr, and the Dragons handed the ball to Bre McWilliams to give the Dragons the lead as the half came to an end.
But as quickly as McWilliams had a good thing going, he fumbled the ball in Golden Eagles territory in the third quarter. The Golden Eagles failed to capitalize as Chris Secrest pushed a field goal attempt wide right.
A 25-yard run on the Golden Eagles next drive led to a pass to Lecher who came down in the back of the end zone to bring the UMC with in one, 14-13. The extra point, to tie the game, was foiled after a high snap.
The Dragons distanced themselves as Fry completed a pass to tight end Josh Pieper who hurdled over a Golden Eagle defender and into the end zone in MSUM's next drive. The euphoria was short lived as the play was called back on an illegal block call, but the Dragons settled for a 38-yard field goal at 12:03 in the fourth to put the score at 17-13.
On the Golden Eagles next drive down field, Ennis had two big throws to move UMC to the Dragon's 28-yard line. In the following play, Ennis made an ill-advised pass over the middle that was picked off by outside linebacker Tyler Hewson.
Hewson returned the interception 75 yards, getting knocked out by Ennis eight yards short of the end zone. Senior Enol Gillies punched the first play of the drive into the end zone and a Jimmie Mattson extra point put the Dragons ahead 24-13 with 06:32 left in the game.
The Dragon defense continued to apply the pressure when pushed back into their territory. And once again the defensive backs became ball hawks as they spoiled another comeback attempt. This time it was Tyler Mandeville who dove and came down with the interception.
The Dragons drained the clock and punted the ball back to the Golden Eagles. After bringing the ball back to the Dragons 37-yard line, Ennis had eight straight incomplete passes but was helped out by a pass interference penalty but could not capitalize and turned it over on downs.
Leading the Dragons was Fry who threw for 293 yards with a touchdown and interception. Jeff Schuette and Brandon Larson led the Dragons defense with 7.5 tackles each.
The Dragons earned their first NSIC win(1-3) and second overall (2-3). The Dragons hope to do the same next week as the travel to Duluth to face defending Division-II National Champion Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at 1 p.m.
