MINOT, N.D. – MSU Moorhead football trailed by as much as 10 points in the final quarter of play against Minot State on Saturday afternoon. The Dragons used game-shifting defense and potent passing to come back and defeat the Beavers, 42-38. 

In the win, Jack Strand became the program's all-time leader in offensive yardage. The junior sits at 8,907 yards of total offense after this afternoon's contest. 
 
Minot State would take the opening kickoff and attempt to cement their gameplan: keep the ball away from MSUM's offense. The Beavers would utilize 11 plays to travel 72 yards for the game's first touchdown. The drive took nearly six minutes off the first quarter game clock .However, MSUM would swiftly respond with a drive that spanned 70 yards on only seven plays. Jack Strand would complete his first seven passes, culminating in a touchdown pass to Gage Florence from 23 yards away. The score evened the count at seven points and was Florence's first touchdown reception of 2024.
 
The home team would again implement their triple option attack and consume nearly seven minutes of possession on the ensuing drive. Minot State worked 73 yards on 12 plays for another touchdown to lead 14-7. From there, the defenses would buckle down for both clubs as the teams combined for a total of 16 yards over the next four drives. Needing some life before halftime, MSUM would deliver on their next drive. 
 
The Dragons scampered 63 yards on seven plays as Strand connected with five different receivers on the campaign. Strand would find noted endzone target Carson Elbert for an 18-yard score to tie the game once more, 14-14. While Minot State would consume much of the second quarter clock on their next drive, they would only come away with three points. MSUM would get possession back with less than 60 seconds left in the half. 
 
Strand started a Dragon drive with a 38-yard pass completion to Elbert. Another chunk play would follow on an 11-yard gain from Florence. With 14 seconds remaining in the first half, Strand connected with Florence again for a six-yard score to put the Dragons up 21-17. 
 
MSUM would be unable to double dip after receiving the second half kickoff as Strand was intercepted after a nine-play drive. Minot State would take advantage of the turnover to score a touchdown and take a 24-21 lead early in the third quarter. The Beaver defense would continue to stifle the Dragons as they would intercept Strand again on the ensuing possession. 
 
The Beavers missed a long field goal on the next drive, leaving an opening for MSUM. The Dragons needed just three plays to travel 64 yards as Strand found Brady Perryman for a 22-yard score. At the end of the third quarter, MSUM led 28-24 as Minot State was driving to begin the final frame. The Beavers would score early to lead 31-28 and would force a Dragon punt. Minot State would score again midway through the frame to take a commanding 38-28 lead. 
 
Needing some offense quickly, MSUM would move 53 yards on six plays to make the count 38-35 in favor of the Beavers. Strand would take matters into his own hands, scampering 13 yards for a rushing touchdown. MSUM would have their own game-shifting defensive play on the ensuing Minot State drive. Josiah Behm would force a Beaver fumble with Jack Johnson picking the ball up and putting MSUM in prime position at Minot State's 38-yard line. 
 
Strand found Perryman for a 31-yard gain a few plays later and capped a Dragon scoring drive from four yards out. Perryman was on the receiving end of another touchdown, bringing his 2024 total to 12. 
 
The Dragon defense would do an outstanding job again on the next Beaver possession. McKale Pierson would force another Minot State fumble as Denver Sheets fell on the ball, giving MSUM possession once more. However, Minot State would hold firm to have one final drive with under one minute to play. The Beavers, who are not accustomed to passing frequently, were forced to go to the air. On four straight plays, MSUM would force incompletions, giving the Dragons the ball with just over 30 seconds to play. 
 
Strand and Perryman's connection would prove to be the game-winner for the Dragons. It is the tandem's third game-winning touchdown of the season. Today was MSUM's 11th consecutive win over the Beavers. 
 
Top Dragons

• Brady Perryman: Four receptions, 74 yards, two touchdowns
• Gage Florence: Seven receptions, 63 yards, two touchdowns
• Josiah Behm: Nine total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble
• Jack Bungarden: 11 total tackles, tackle for loss
• Jack Strand: 31-46, 344 yards, five touchdowns, one rushing touchdown
• Denver Sheets: Eight total tackles, tackle for loss, one fumble recovery
• Carson Elbert: Six receptions, 116 receptions, one touchdown

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (5-4, 5-3 NSIC) will play its final home game next Saturday in the annual Battle For The Axe game against Bemidji State. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.