ABERDEEN, S.D. — Junior receiver Grady Bresnahan hauled in the winning touchdown from freshman quarterback Matthew Plasterer with 16 seconds left to lift the Minnesota State University Moorhead football team to a thrilling 24-17 win over Northern State in action Saturday in Aberdeen, S.D.

MSUM improved to 2-1 overall and in the NSIC with the win while the Wolves fell to 1-2 overall and in the league. It was MSUM's first win in Aberdeen since 2013.

Plasterer was pressed into duty in place of the injured starting quarterback Jakup Sinani and performed well in his first collegiate action, going 23-of-39 for 265 yards and two scores while being interceptions once.

"I thought he settled in real well," MSUM head coach Steve Laqua said. "He managed the game super well and made big throws when we needed him to make big throws."

Bresnahan had a big day, catching 11 passes for 146 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Junior running back Denver Colgrove rushed for 48 yards and a score. Sophomore receiver Trent Marquart caught three passes for 37 yards and a score while sophomore receiver Ryan Harvey-Turner caught fie passes for 75 yards.

"We needed some players to step up and Grady made some key plays," Laqua said.

Junior defensive tackle Hunter Sall led the defense with eight tackles and a sack, while senior cornerback Deiondre Taylor and sophomore linebacker James Eggert had seven apiece. Junior safety Shad Vedaa had a sack and a forced fumble.

MSUM led 14-3 at halftime and took a 17-10 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Wolves tied the game with 9:45 left on Hunter Trautman's 9-yard run. The game stayed tied till late, when a 52-yard Blake Ochsendorf punt pinned the Wolves at their own 10-yard line.  The Dragon defense forced a three-and-out, and MSUM took over after the punt at the Wolves' 41-yard line with 50 seconds left.

"Blake's punt pinning them deep was a huge play, and defensively, being stout on first and second down, was huge. It allowed us to have a shot in regulation," Laqua said. "The punt and the defensive effort on that series created an extra opportunity."

Plasterer hit Harvey-Turner for a 12-yard game on second down, and then hit Bresnahan for a short game. On a third and seven, Plasterer hit Bresnahan for a 26-yard score, giving MSUM a 24-17 lead with 16 seconds left after senior Hobet Diaz connected the extra point.

The Wolves connected on a pass to get to the Dragon 48-yard line but the final pass as time expired was incomplete, giving the Dragons the win.

Northern led 3-0 after one quarter but the Dragons got on the board thanks to a 6-play, 67-yard touchdown drive. Colgrove scored from three yards out just six seconds into the second quarter to make it 7-3.  In the final minute of the half, Plasterer hit Marquart from 23 yards out to take a 14-3 lead.

The Wolves scored in the third to make it 14-10, and Diaz connected on a 37-yard field goal with 13:23 left in the game to make it 17-10.

"To come away with a road win in our conference, you're always happy with that no matter how it happens," Laqua said.

MSUM returns home to face UMary at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Blake Ochsendorf tied Steve Sandberg's 45-year-old record for punts in a game with 11. Sandberg set the record in a 14-7 win at home over Concordia (Minn.) on Sept. 11, 1974, then tied his own school record four weeks later in a 7-3 loss at Michigan Tech.