ABERDEEN, S.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead football fell in a heartbreaking fashion on Saturday evening. The Dragons were denied a two-point conversion in overtime, falling to Northern State, 49-48.
 
Moorhead would certainly start quickly, despite coming off a bye week. Jack Strand found an early connection with Brady Perryman with the pair linking up three times. The final completions between the two came on a pivotal third down. With MSUM at the Northern State 39-yard line, Owen Wiersma entered the picture. The running back caught a pass and moved the Dragons into the red zone following a 17-yard scamper. Wiersma would open the scoring a few plays later, running it in from eight yards away to put MSUM up 7-0. 
 
Northern State would respond with a touchdown on the other end, knotting the game at seven points. Wiersma would continue to pace the Dragon offense on the ensuing drive, but Moorhead would be stopped on fourth and goal to conclude the series. A long run from Wolves star running back Wyatt Block provided Northern State a chance to score. However, on a third and three play, Northern State would fumble on a speed option with Devin Beach coming up with the ball. 
 
The ensuing Dragon possession would see Kevon Johnson take hold of the Dragon run game, helping Moorhead down the field. Wiersma would make a reception to get the Dragons in the redzone before Strand rushed it in from five yards away to put MSUM up 14-7. The Wolves would answer right back to tie the game at 14 points each. While Johnson would provide a nice change of pace on the next Dragon series, MSUM would be forced to punt. Northern State would connect on a field goal to lead 17-14 heading into the locker room.
 
A back-and-forth offensive clinic would begin from the opening kickoff of the second half with Northern State scoring on their first possession to take a 24-14 lead. The Dragons would fire back by driving down the field thanks to a long pass from Strand to Carson Elbert. Strand provided an excellent throw with Elbert making a one-handed grab. Strand would score on the ground again off a read option to cut the deficit to three points. 
 
Moorhead's defense would get a needed stop on the ensuing Wolves possession with Jack Johnson providing a pressure on a third down play. The Dragons would use the momentum to their advantage as Carter Birrenkott would make an appearance with a downfield reception. After a Wiersma run, Moorhead sat at the Northern State 18-yard line. Strand would link up with Madden Thorson a few plays later to put the Dragons back in front, 28-24. Strand delivered another excellent throw with Thorson making the play in the corner of the endzone. 
 
Northern State would score again to regain the lead 31-28. On the ensuing kickoff, McKale Pierson found a lane, carrying the kick back 97 yards for a touchdown. The return is the third-longest in program history and is the first kick return touchdown since Carter Blackwell on October 23, 2021. After three quarters, MSUM led 35-31. 
 
The teams would trade punts to open the final frame with Moorhead getting the ball back near the midway point of the frame. Elbert would help the Dragons get back into the redzone following the punts before Gage Florence made a 10-yard touchdown reception. With seven minutes left in the game, Moorhead led 42-31. Throughout the remainder of regulation, Northern State would claw back into the game, eventually tying the game at 42 points as time expired. 
 
With the game in overtime, the Wolves took possession first and were able to score to lead 49-42. Moorhead would work its way down to the Wolves 11-yard line on the ensuing series with Strand finding Florence again for a touchdown. The Dragons would go for the win, opting for a two-point conversion. While Strand had Brady Perryman open in the endzone, Northern State would knock the pass down, sealing a 49-48 win. It is the highest scoring MSUM game since November 15, 2014 (66-36 win vs Minnesota Crookston). It is the most points ever scored by a Dragon outfit in a loss.  
 
Top Dragons

• Jack Strand: 25-41, 379 yards, three touchdowns, 49 rush yards, two touchdowns
• Gage Florence: Nine receptions, 101 yards, two touchdowns
• Jack Johnson: Nine total, tackles, two tackles for loss
• Gavin Jarchow: Nine total tackles
• Carson Elbert: Five receptions, 102 yards
• Owen Wiersma: Seven carries, 55 yards, one touchdown, three receptions, 42 yards

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (5-3, 4-3 NSIC) is set to host the annual Battle for the Axe with Bemidji State on Saturday, November 1 with kickoff set for noon.