MINOT, N.D. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead football team outscored Minot State 17-0 in a decisive fourth quarter to earn a 30-20 win over the Beavers in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday in Minot, N.D.

MSUM improved to 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the NSIC North with the win, while Minot State fell to 1-7 overall and 1-3 in the north.

"It's a win our team needed. Not only because it was a win, but because of the way it happened," MSUM head coach Steve Laqua said. "We kept our composure, overcame adversity and finished the game strong."

Redshirt freshman kicker Joe Tjosvold was 3-for-3 on field goals and a perfect 3-of-3 on extra points for MSUM.  Redshirt freshman linebacker Joe Rademacher blocked a punt which was returned for a touchdown by redshirt freshman offensive lineman Tyler Lazarz. 

The Dragons outgained Minot State 366-284. Redshirt freshman running back Kayne Griffith rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Senior running back Zayne Medhaug had 57 rushing yards and a score.  Sophomore quarterback Demetrius Carr was 15-of-22 for 158 yards passing while rushing for 52 yards. Medhaug had four catches for 30 yards while sophomore receiver Damon Gibson had three catches for 58 yards.

Junior defensive back Sheldon Jones had 10 tackles while redshirt freshman safety Michael Strand had eight. Junior defensive end Ryan Dahleen and senior defensive lineman Steve Schutz each had two tackles for loss.

The fourth quarter stats were telling. MSUM scored 17 points and ran 29 plays for 143 yards; Minot State did not score a point and managed just 29 yards of offense on nine plays.

"The defense played a phenomenal football game, coming up with big stops in the second half," Laqua said. "I was really proud of the composure our kids showed. There was a lot of adversity for us to face on the road. We finished the game strong, and that has been a point of emphasis for us. A real key piece was converting some tough third downs in the fourth quarter to extend drives. We had two 80-yard plus scoring drives in the fourth quarter."

MSUM trailed 20-13 heading into the fourth quarter but was on the move as the quarter commenced.  Facing a third-and-8, Carr hit Medhaug for a 21-yard gain that brought the Dragons inside the Minot 15-yard line. Two plays later, Medhaug scored from five yards out, and with the extra point by Tjosvold, the game was tied at 20-20 with 13:05 left. Medhaug's scoring run capped off a 9-play, 88-yard drive.

After a series of punts, MSUM took over at its own 11-yard line with 6:01 left. MSUM went on a 9-play, 88-yard drive, capped off by a 2-yard scoring run by Griffith, to take a 27-20 lead with 3:07 left.  Griffith was a catalyst on that drive with five carries for 61 yard, including a 32-yard run that brought MSUM into Minot territory.

"I thought Kayne came up big in the fourth for us. He rattled off some big plays," Laqua said.

The Dragon defense forced the Beavers to turn the ball over on downs at their own 15-yard line with 2:24 left.  While MSUM managed only three yards on the drive, it was within range for a field goal, and Tjosvold converted the 29-yard field goal with 43 seconds left to help MSUM ice the win at 30-20.

Tjosvold kicked a 39-yard field goal at the 10:22 mark of the first quarter to give MSUM a 3-0 lead. Moments later, Rademacher blocked a punt by Aaron La Deaux inside the Beaver 15-yard line. Lazarz picked up the ball and ran it in from four yards out, giving MSUM a 10-0 lead with 8:38 left in the first quarter.

"Special teams were a winning edge for us today," Laqua said. "The blocked punt was a huge momentum builder at the beginning of the game. And I can't say enough about Joe Tjosvold hitting three field goals."

Minot State scored the next 13 points to take a 13-10 lead. Tjosvold hit a 19-yard field goal with 5:09 left in the first half to tie the game at 13-13, which was the halftime score.

The Beavers capitalized on a Dragon fumble and scored a touchdown to take a 20-13 lead in the third. MSUM's game-tying drive started at its own 12-yard line late in the third, which set up the crucial fourth quarter.

MSUM plays at St. Cloud State on Oct. 31. Game time is 1 p.m. in St. Cloud, Minn.

Notes: The Dragons have beaten Minot State three consecutive times…two of the teams MSUM beat during its 3-0 start – Winona State and Augustana – recorded wins over top-five ranked teams on Saturday. Winona State beat No. 1-ranked Minnesota State, 31-27 while Augustana beat No. 5-ranked Sioux Falls, 35-28…MSUM is 2-1 on the season when rushing for 200 yards or more.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Joe Tjosvold became the first Dragon kicker to make three field goals in a Dragon victory since Logan Johnson made three to help the Dragons to a 29-26 home win versus Northern St. on Oct. 25, 2008.