MOORHEAD, Minn. -- An all-around attack helped guide MSU Moorhead football to its second straight win on Saturday afternoon at Nemzek Stadium. The Dragons defeated Southwest Minnesota State, 38-6. 

The teams would trade punts to open the contest as Steve Laqua was adamant about a fast start for the Dragons. On their second drive, MSUM's offense would come alive, starting a campaign on their own 23-yard line. Jack Strand would get his arm warm with pass completions to Gage Florence, Brady Perryman and Madden Thorson. Strand found Thorson for a 40-yard gain to put MSUM at SMSU's 13-yard line. The Dragons would work down to the Mustang one-yard line and were stopped multiple times on the ground. On a second and one play, Strand found JD Czech on an out route for the first score of the contest. For Czech, it is the first touchdown of his Dragon career. 

Southwest Minnesota State would respond with a nice drive, working the ball to MSUM's 29-yard line. The Mustangs opted for a field goal on a fourth down play with the kick being blocked at the line of scrimmage by Ashton Sayre. While SMSU would recover the block to prevent any further damage, it enlivened a Dragon special teams unit that has been desperate for a big play all season. Strand and the Dragons would quickly take advantage as he would find Thorson for a 31-yard play to begin the ensuing drive. Just before the end of the first quarter, Max Watson was called upon for a field goal at the Mustang 18-yard line. Watson drilled the 36-yard attempt to put MSUM up 10-0 after one frame. 

MSUM's defense would continually press the Mustang quarterbacks with Jack Bungarden earning a sack to stall the next SMSU drive. The sack translated into the special teams unit again as senior Cody Sorenson would block a Mustang punt with Derek 'Freaking' Tibbets landing on the ball at the Mustang 21-yard line. MSUM's offense did not have far to travel as Strand would link up with Brady Perryman on a 10-yard pitch and catch to put MSUM in front by 17 points. The Dragons needed just under 90 seconds to score. 

The Dragon defense would force another Mustang punt as the Dragon offense would take over with good field position at their own 41-yard line. Strand found the likes of Carson Elbert and Luke Imdieke to move MSUM to the Mustang two-yard line. From there, Fynn Ridgeway would do the rest, scoring from two yards out to give MSUM a 24-0 lead. It was on the ensuing Mustang drive where Southwest Minnesota State was able to create some offense, moving and landing on the Dragon 27-yard line. 

Needing a score, SMSU opted to leave their offense on the field on a fourth and 13 play. Mustang quarterback Kendon Krogman dropped back and fired a ball towards the endzone, which landed in the arms of Sorenson. The Bismarck, N.D., product was not done there as he would utilize some great Dragon blocking (and a wonderful cutback move) to take the interception 92 yards for another Dragon score. Watson's extra point made the score 31-0 in favor of MSUM with just over four minutes to play in the first half. Before the halftime break, MSUM would stall a Mustang drive on fourth down again as Andrew Spandiary collected a nine-yard sack. 

Things continued to go MSUM's way to start the second half as the Dragon defense again made a massive impact. Denver Piechowski would strip new Mustang quarterback Wyatt Oak on a third and five play. The ball landed in the arms of Justice Noel, giving MSUM possession on SMSU's 25-yard line. Ridgeway would help pace the Dragons from there, rushing for 21 yards before Strand found Perryman again from seven yards away. Early in the third quarter, MSUM led 38-0. 

From there, MSUM would opt to put in their reserves on both sides of the ball as Tommy Falk took snaps at quarterback for MSUM. Neither team would put points on the board throughout the remainder of the quarter as MSUM was keen on chewing up the clock. To open the fourth quarter, Joey Hughes would nab an interception following a deflection from Kolby Vander Wal. While MSUM would not be able to do anything offensively in the next series, SMSU would respond with their lone score of the game on a 41-yard pass play. 

As the Dragons continued to occupy the clock, they would bring in Grant Warkenthien in relief of Falk with the sophomore completing three passes on three attempts. MSUM won the contest 38-6 as the Dragon defense accrued nine sacks, totaling 54 lost yards for the Mustangs. On the offensive side of the ball, Strand, Falk and Warkenthien completed passes to 10 different receivers in the victory. 

Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game

Today snaps a four-game home losing streak to Southwest Minn. State. Prior to today's win, the last time the Dragons beat the Mustangs was in a 37-16 Homecoming victory Oct. 8, 2005. It was the only win for one-year head coach Chad Eisle in a 1-10 season, and snapped a 16-game losing streak that dated back to the final game of 2003.

Top Dragons

• Cody Sorenson: One interceptions, one touchdown, one blocked punt
• Madden Thorson: Six receptions, 100 yards
• Brady Perryman: Six receptions, 74 yards, two touchdowns
• Jack Strand: 18-24, 207 yards, three touchdowns, five carries, 14 yards
• Mitchell Jezierski: Eight tackles (six solo), one tackle for loss
• Denver Sheets: Six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack
• Jack Bungarden: Four tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack
• Fynn Ridgeway: Seven carries, 26 yards, one touchdown

Up Next

MSUM (4-4, 4-3 NSIC) is back to the road next week as they take on Minot State on Saturday, November 2 at 1 p.m.