BISMARCK, N.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead football is holding onto the Paddle Trophy for the 10^th straight season after securing an NSIC victory over the University of Mary. The Dragons staved off a furious late comeback to defeat the Marauders, 38-35. 
 
The game would not begin well for the Dragons as Jack Strand threw an interception on Moorhead's fourth offensive play. Mary would utilize the turnover (and good field position) to score a touchdown after five plays, earning the game's first score. The Dragons would find their offensive rhythm on the ensuing drive, using 12 plays to travel 75 yards for a touchdown. Strand would connect with his usual gang of suspects on the drive in Gage Florence, Brady Perryman and Tyson Brandt. The drive concluded with a 15-yard pitch and catch to Madden Thorson. 
 
After the Moorhead defense forced a Marauder punt, MSUM would come back out on offense looking for a lead. Strand completed a pair of passes to Carter Birrenkott on the drive with the series culminating in a 42-yard score to Perryman. After 15 minutes of action, MSUM led 14-7. Moorhead's defense would continue to look strong as the second quarter commenced, forcing a turnover on downs. 
 
While the Dragons had a chance to extend their lead on a field goal try, the attempt was narrowly missed. Moorhead would force another turnover on downs on the ensuing possession to keep the Marauders at bay. After trading punts, the Dragons took over on offense with just over a minute to play in the first half. Moorhead would work down towards the Mary 21-yard line before Max Watson drilled a 38-yard field goal. At halftime, MSUM led 17-7. 
 
Neither team would put points up on their first drives of the second half with the Marauders beginning their second drive from their own 41-yard line. On a third and three play, sophomore Jack Johnson would make a masterful tackle, forcing a fumble in the process. The ball would flip into the waiting arms of Adam Kallenbach, who would sprint with green in front of him. Kallenbach sprinted 40 yards to the endzone to extend the Dragon lead to 17 points with just over eight minutes to play in the third quarter. 
 
The Marauders would answer with a touchdown on their next drive, but the defensive play proved to fuel the Dragon momentum. After Tyson Brandt rushed for 20 yards to open the drive, it was Strand who would showcase his athletic ability. The senior quarterback would race upfield, dodging several Marauders in the process, en route to a 50-yard touchdown scamper. Moorhead would led 31-13 after three quarters with the run being a career-long for Strand. 
 
At the top of the fourth quarter, MSUM would force yet another turnover on downs to keep momentum in the Dragon camp. Moorhead would start a campaign from there, getting down to the Marauder three-yard line after a 27-yard play to Perryman. Strand would find Florence a few plays later to put the Dragons up 38-13. 
 
Credit is due to the Marauders, who would battle back into the contest with an array of offensive drives and a successful onside kick. Mary would also take advantage of a Dragon fumble to bring the score to within three points (38-35) with two minutes to go. The Dragons would be able to whittle down the clock to 24 seconds before the Marauders had one final chance. With seven seconds left in the game, the Dragon defense stepped in, forcing another Marauder fumble, which was scooped up by Denver Piechowski. The late defensive effort sealed the 10^th straight win for Moorhead over Mary.
 
Top Dragons

• Jack Strand: 24-42, 253 yards, three touchdowns, 82 rush yards, one touchdown
• Brady Perryman: Four receptions, 106 yards, one touchdown
• Jack Johnson: Six total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble
• Adam Kallenbach: Two tackles, one tackle for loss, 40-yard fumble return
• Tate Gustafson: 10 tackles, one tackle for loss
• Gage Florence: Eight receptions, 74 yards, one touchdown
• McKale Pierson: Eight tackles, one pass breakup

 
Up Next
 
Moorhead (5-2, 4-2 NSIC) heads into a bye week next week. The next game for MSUM will be a road matchup with Northern State on Saturday, October 25 at 6 p.m.