MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead will look to continue its upward momentum this weekend in a Battle For The Paddle matchup with the University of Mary. Kickoff from Bismarck, N.D., is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Fans can also listen to the game live on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with 'Big Game' James McCarty and Jace Denman on the call.
Matchup History...The Dragons have commanded much of the recent matchups with the Marauders in this rivalry series. Moorhead has claimed the last nine matchups between the two schools, having won 10 of the last 11 overall. In last season's meeting in Bismarck, the Dragons were superb to wrap the regular season. MSUM retained the Paddle Trophy behind a 52-3 result with the Dragons scoring 52 unanswered points from the second quarter on.
Jack Strand passed for five touchdowns while
Madden Thorson hauled in over 100 receiving yards and a score.
The River Rivalry Series...Saturday's meeting between the Dragons and Marauders will be the 19th meeting in the annual Battle For The Paddle/River Rivalry series. The trophy game was developed by each school's respective student governments upon Mary joining NCAA Division II and the NSIC in 2006. The Marauders claimed the first seven meetings, including the inagural game on October 21, 2006 (21-20). Moorhead leads the series all-time, having won 10 of 18 meetings. In the last nine games, Moorhead has outscored Mary 392-166, averaging 43.5 points per game.
Gage Watch...Senior wide receiver
Gage Florence continues to inch closer and closer to the NCAA Division II record for career receptions. Florence made eight receptions for 88 yards in MSUM's victory over Minot State on Saturday. The performance moved Florence's career total to 353 receptions, just 33 receptions off the national record held by St. Anselm's Justin Bernard (386). In his career, Florence has had a prowess for the ball against the Marauders, averaging 11 receptions per game in three career matchups with Mary.
The Punisher...Sophomore running back
Tyson Brandt had another breakout performance on Saturday against the Beavers. Brandt took 17 carries for 93 yards, while also making nine catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. The score was Brandt's second career receiving touchdown as the Brookings, S.D., native accounted for 152 scrimmage yards. As a team, Moorhead rushed for 163 yards in the victory, the highest team total since October 26, 2019.
Occupying Your Space...Senior linebacker
Mitchell Jezierski tallied a team-high 10 tackles in the win over Minot State. The performance moved Jezierski's tackle total to 55 in 2025, which leads the roster and is currently the second-highest mark in the NSIC.
The Winning Combo (Again)...The combination of
Jack Strand and
Brady Perryman proved to be the winning formula for Moorhead against Minot State. Strand connected with Perryman for the game-winning touchdown in overtime. In the victory, Perryman moved his career receiving touchdown total to 33, thus breaking the prior record held by Adam Jiskra (31). In their careers together, Strand and Perryman have accounted for four game-winning scores.
Keeping It Honest...Moorhead continues to showcase one of the top passing defenses in the country through six games. MSUM leads the NSIC in passing yardage allowed, surrendering just 151.8 yards through the air to opposing offenses. The mark is also the 10th-fewest in NCAA Division II so far this season.
Steve Laqua is in his 15th season as MSUM's head football coach.
Scouting The Opposition
University of Mary
2024 Record: 2-9 (1-9 NSIC)
2025 Record: 3-3 (2-3 NSIC)
Nickname: Marauders
Head Coach: Shann Schillinger (3rd Season)
Top Marauders
Offense: Ryan Blair, QB (82-119, 992 yards, nine touchdowns
Defense: Christopher Frederico, LB (43 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks)
Special Teams: Christian Jangula, P (18 punts, 38.94 YPP, 57-yard long, three inside 20)
