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MSU Moorhead Athletics

Gage Florence set the NCAA Division II all-time record for receptions on Saturday against Jamestown
Annika Roers
20
Jamestown UJA 1-8 , 1-8
44
Winner MSU Moorhead MSU 7-3 , 6-3
Jamestown UJA
1-8 , 1-8
20
Final
44
MSU Moorhead MSU
7-3 , 6-3
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UJA Jamestown 0 14 6 0 20
MSU MSU Moorhead 7 23 7 7 44

Game Recap: Football | | Nolan Schmidt

Go With The Flo: Another Historic Day in Moorhead

MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead football turned in another historic day to close the 2025 home schedule. Senior Gage Florence became NCAA Division II's all-time leader in career receptions while the Dragons defeated the University of Jamestown, 44-20. 

Also in the victory, quarterback Jack Strand became the NSIC's all-time leader in career touchdown passes. Strand also reset his own single-season school record for passing touchdowns in the win. 

Moorhead would immediately find a groove on offense, moving to the Jamestown 11-yard line on eight plays. Strand connected to four different receivers in the drive, but a Tyson Brandt 20-yard run proved to be the biggest boost. However, Moorhead would fumble the ball in the red zone with the Jimmies making the recovery. The Dragon defense would immediately stamp an impression, forcing a turnover on downs on Jamestown's first offensive series. MSUM would get the ball back on their own 36-yard line and the Dragons would begin driving again. Florence would tie the NCAA Division II record on series helping the Dragons to the Jamestown six-yard line. From there, Strand would deliver a pass to Brady Perryman for the contest's first score.

On the final play of the first quarter, McKale Pierson would grab a tipped ball from Tate Gustafson, picking off the pass for his third interception in two games. The Jimmies would respond at the outset of the second quarter, jumping a route and taking an interception back for six points. After the defensive touchdown, the teams were tied at seven points. Moorhead did not need many play on the ensuing drive as Brandt scampered for a 48-yard run and another Dragon score, making the count 14-7. Credit to Jamestown, who quickly drove down field with big plays of their own to tie the game back up at 14 points. 

The Dragons would work downfield on their next series, moving to the Jamestown seven-yard line. Florence would make his record-breaking grab for a first down as part of the series. Strand would find Brandt later on, but the running back would fumble the ball at the one-yard line. Luckily, Perryman would scoop the ball up and land in the end zone for an unorthodox Dragon touchdown. After the play, Moorhead led 20-14. The Dragon defense would continue to keep the pressure on the Jimmies as Adam Kallenbach would make an interception on the next Jamestown drive. As the teams traded punts, Moorhead would get the ball back with 3:17 left in the first half. Strand would link up with Kelly Johnson for a 70-yard play that placed the Dragons at the UJ two-yard line. Strand would connect with Florence for a score to make the Dragon lead, 27-14. 

Before the break, Moorhead would force a Jimmie punt, getting the ball back with just over 60 seconds to go in the half. Strand would orchestrate the Dragons downfield, connecting with Florence, Madden Thorson and Brandt, moving Moorhead to the UJ 11-yard line. Max Watson would nail a field goal as time expired to provide the Dragons a 30-14 halftime advantage. 

Jamestown would have possession to open the second half, moving down to the Moorhead 11-yard line. As the Jimmies opted for a field goal, the big mitts of Ashton Sayre would knock down the kick with Denver Piechowski making the recovery. The Jimmies would force a Dragon punt to halt the momentum, later scoring a touchdown to make the score 30-20 in favor of MSUM. The Dragons would piece together a strong drive to counter the Jimmies, using a nice combination of run and pass plays. Owen Wiersma would lead the ground attack, helping the Dragons to the Jamestown five-yard line. It was Wiersma who got into the end zone to cap the drive as well, catching a pass from Strand in the end zone. After three quarters, MSUM held a 37-20 lead. 

Moorhead would force a turnover on downs early in the final quarter as the Dragons would put the finishing touches on the game overall. Brandt and Strand would lead MSUM to the Jimmie six-yard line before Perryman made another touchdown reception. After the score, Moorhead led 44-20 and that line would hold firm as time expired. Brandt and Wiersma combined for 217 rush yards for the Dragons on just 23 combined totes. 

Top Dragons Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game

Today's 305 team rushing yards were the most since the Dragons went for 320 in a 47-16 win over UMary on October 22, 2016. It was the most rush yards in a home game since the Dragons went for 354 in a 37-0 victory over UMary on November 7, 2015. 

Up Next

MSUM (7-3, 6-3 NSIC) is set to wrap up the 2025 regular season next weekend on the road against nationally-ranked Minnesota State. Kickoff from Mankato, Minn., is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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