MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead football goes on the road in their final matchup of the 2024 campaign. The Dragons will travel to Bismarck and take on the UMary Marauders in the Battle for the Paddle. The game will kick off on Saturday at 12 p.m. from the MDU Resources Community Bowl.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com. Fans can also listen to the game on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with 'Big Game' James McCarty on the call.
 
The Rundown

The Dragons (5-5, 5-4 NSIC), had one get away from them last week against the talented Bemidji State Beavers. The Dragons jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead, and then a Beavers safety started a run where they scored 25 unanswered points to defeat the Dragons 25-14. The Dragons will look to get back into the winning column this week to end the year on a high note. Last season the Dragons finished 6-4 in the NSIC, and with a win this week the Dragons will equal last year's total. The Dragons currently sit tied with Minnesota Duluth, Wayne State and Winona State for sixth place in the NSIC. 

The Dragons are led by 14th-year head coach Steve Laqua.

Last Time Around…

The Dragons took home the paddle last year when they dominated the Marauders in a 35-7 game in Moorhead last season. The Dragons started the game hot scoring 21 points in the first quarter of the game. Jack Strand had a nice game completing 29 of 45 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Madden Thorson was Strand's favorite target on the day, hauling in 10 receptions for 146 yards and a score, that score coming on a 72-yard explosive play on the very first play of the game. However, the defense was the side of the ball that stole the show. They picked off Marauder quarterbacks four times on the day, even bringing back one of them for a pick six. 

Series History

The Dragons currently have an eight-game winning streak in the Battle for the Paddle. The streak dates back to 2015 when the Dragons won in a 37-0 shutout in Moorhead. In each of the last 10 matchups with the Marauders, the Dragons have scored at least 35 points in every game, scoring the most in a 51-19 victory back in
2017. 

2023: 35-7 W (In Moorhead)
2022: 40-38 W (In Bismarck)
2021: 35-31 W (In Moorhead)
2019: 47-32 W (In Moorhead)
2018: 48-20 W (In Bismarck)

Fynn Flyin' to Paydirt

The redshirt freshman running back Fynn Ridgeway has been the Dragon's go-to running back when they need to punch it in near the goal line. Ridgeway scored the only Dragon offensive touchdown last week in the second quarter when he broke two tackles on an eight-yard scamper to the endzone. In the last five games, he has toted the ball 29 times for exactly 100 yards (3.45 yards per carry), and scored three touchdowns.

Have a Day Eh?

Senior linebacker Jack Bungarden had himself a day last week on senior day against Bemidji State. He led the Dragon defense in tackles tallying 10 takedowns. However, he left his mark on the first drive of the game when he snagged an ill-advised throw for an interception and proceeded to make the 63 yard trek down the field (with some help from his blockers) to secure the pick six. So far in his senior season, Bungarden has totaled 68 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions  and four pass breakups. 

G-Flo Stays Hot

Junior wide receiver Gage Florence hauled in two touchdown receptions a couple weeks ago against Minot State, and he kept rolling last week against Bemidji State. Florence was quarterback Jack Strand's favorite target last week, making 13 catches for 91 yards on the day. He leads the NSIC in receptions per game, grabbing 8.3 catches per game on average. That mark puts him third in NCAA Division II in the receptions per game category.

Battle Hardened Behm

Senior linebacker Josiah Behm is going into his last game as a Dragon this week looking to bring home one last win. Behm has been the centerpiece to the Dragon defense for multiple years, leading the Dragons in tackles last year, totaling 94 takedowns. Once again, to no one's surprise, he leads the Dragons in tackles this year tallying 75. Behm has been a force in the backfield all season making nine tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He's also made game changing plays with an interception and forced a fumble as well. 

About U-Mary

The Marauders (2-8, 1-8 NSIC), dropped a game last week to Minnesota State University Mankato in a score of 49-21. The game was closer throughout than the scoreboard indicates. The Marauders competed hard and kept that game within seven points until very late in the third quarter when the Mavericks pulled away. UMary had a decent day through the air, throwing for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Their pass defense didn't allow many yards to the Mavericks (189), but they gave up 18.9 yards per pass and two touchdowns. 

The Marauders rank near the bottom of the conference in both scoring offense (13.9 points per game), and scoring defense (31.2 points per game). The passing attack on offense, and defending the pass on defense are probably their two strengths. They rank ninth in the NSIC in passing yards per game (171.1) and eighth in the conference in passing yards allowed per game (196.5). They are only averaging 1.9 yards per rush on the ground this season, and they are allowing 4.6 yards per carry from their opponents. 

A player to watch out for on the Marauders is sophomore linebacker Christopher Federico. He leads UMary in tackles this season totaling 75. He also has three tackles for loss on his record, as well as two pass breakups. 

The Marauders are led by second-year head coach Shann Schillinger.