BISMARCK, N.D. – MSU Moorhead football scored 52 unanswered points on their way to a 52-3 domination of the University of Mary on Saturday afternoon. The Dragons earned their ninth straight win in the annual Battle for the Paddle game with the Marauders. 
 
The home team would settle in on offense as the Dragons kicked off to begin the contest. Mary used some nice script plays to move to MSUM's 22-yard line. The Dragon defense would firm up from there, only allowing a field goal to the Marauders. However, MSUM would start slow on offense, punting on their first two drives. Jack Strand opened the game completing just three of 12 passes for 47 yards. 
 
Luckily for the Dragon offense, MSUM's defense would prove stingy as the first quarter wore on. To the point that MSUM's offense was able to settle in and drive 62 yards on 13 plays to tie the game on a 36-yard field goal from Max Watson early in the second frame. It was the Dragon run game that sparked the drive as Fynn Ridgeway scampered for 13 yards.
 
MSUM's defense would continue to control the line of scrimmage on the ensuing Mary possession. Denver Piechowski would rush through the Marauder front and strip the ball from Mary quarterback Jordan Polo Solomon. Senior Justice Noel would land on the ball, giving MSUM possession on Mary's 49-yard line. The Dragons would make short work, moving 49 yards to score the contest's first touchdown. Ridgeway was massive again, catching a pass and running 21 yards to put MSUM in the redzone. From there, Brady Perryman would catch a 16-yard touchdown. 
 
The Dragon defense would only allow three yards on the Marauders next drive, forcing another punt. MSUM would have favorable field position at their own 47-yard line following the punt. While the Dragons would eventually be faced with a fourth and eight play, Strand would link up with Gage Florence as the junior made a diving sideline grab. Florence was able to toe-tap inbounds to put the Dragons inside the redzone. Ridgeway would complete the drive with a one-yard touchdown reception from Strand.
 
Another Dragon stop put MSUM's offense on their own 49-yard line with less than a minute to go in the half. MSUM needed six plays to score as Strand would roll to his right and fire a throw on the run to the endzone. Brady Perryman was waiting for the ball in the back corner of the endzone, catching his second score of the day. 
 
MSUM led 24-7 at the break, leading the total yardage discussion 227-114. The Dragons held the 21-point advantage despite losing the time of possession battle 11:22-18:38. Strand tossed three scores in the half, but Ridgeway proved to be the real driver on offense. The redshirt freshman took six carries for 51 yards and had two catches for 23 yards and a score. 
 
The Dragons would begin the second half picking up where they left off on offense. Strand would connect with Perryman and Luke Imdieke on the campaign. However, it was MSUM's rush attack that helped guide them with Ridgeway, Strand and Madden Thorson using their legs to charge MSUM. Strand would find Carson Elbert over the middle for a 33-yard touchdown to begin the second half, putting MSUM in front, 31-3. 

MSUM's defense would turn right around and make a play following another Marauder fumble thanks to Jack Bungarden. Andrew Spandiary would collect the fumble for MSUM, sending the Dragon sidelines into a frenzy. The play from 'Spandy' would jumpstart another solid Dragon offensive possession. Strand would find Madden Thorson from eight yards away to put MSUM up 38-3. 
 
Throughout the remainder of the third quarter, MSUM would remain in front 38-3 as the Dragons opted to put in senior Tommy Falk under center. Falk was solid, driving the Dragons down the field to start the final 15 minutes. MSUM went 72 yards on 10 plays with Tyson Brandt catching a seven-yard score from Falk. The senior would link up with five different receivers on the campaign, including a reception to himself. Falk had a pass batted at the line, but the senior had the presence of mind to receive the deflection and run for a first down. 
 
The Dragon seniors would continue to stamp their impression on the game as Bungarden would intercept Polo Solomon on Mary's next drive. The ensuing Dragon possession saw Grant Warkenthien guide MSUM 99 yards on just seven plays for another score. Warkenthien found deep balls to Brady Borgen and Kelly Johnson while Owen Wiersma dominated the ground. Wiersma rushed in from four yards out to make the score 52-3 in favor of MSUM.
 
That score would hold firm through 60 minutes of action as the Dragons outgained the Marauders 529-223. 11 different Dragons caught a pass in the victory. 
 
The Dragons wrap 2024 with a 6-5 record including a 6-4 mark in conference games. 
 
Top Dragons
 

• Jack Strand: 18-35, 240 yards, five touchdowns
• Fynn Ridgeway: Eight carries, 49 yards, two receptions, 23 yards, one touchdown
• Jack Bungarden: Six tackles, one interception, one forced fumble
• Josiah Behm: Six tackles, one tackle for loss
• Madden Thorson: Six receptions, 100 yards, one touchdown
• Jack Johnson: Eight tackles, tackle for loss
• Owen Wiersma: Three carries, 41 yards, one touchdown
• Brady Perryman: Four receptions, 68 yards, two touchdowns
• Tommy Falk: 9-10, 98 yards, one touchdown, one reception, four yards