MARQUETTE, Mich. – Minnesota State Moorhead football erased a 21-point first-half deficit en route to a 44-37 win over Northern Michigan on Thursday evening. The contest was MSUM's season-opener and the first-ever week zero game for the program. 
 
After the Dragons would halt the Northern Michigan offense to begin the game, MSUM would see its first successful offensive play on the ensuing drive. Jack Strand would connect with Madden Thorson for a first down, the first of 2025. However, MSUM would be forced to punt three plays later, providing the Wildcats good field position. Northern Michigan would score on their second drive behind an option attack. With eight minutes to go in the first quarter, the Wildcats led 7-0. 
 
Things would go from bad to worse for the Dragons as Strand would be picked off by All-GLIAC linebacker Jax Hertel on the next drive. Even worse, Hertel would take the interception the other way for another Northern Michigan touchdown. Midway through the first frame, the Wildcats led, 14-0. While the Dragons would see some positive momentum on the next drive, it would stall out on a fourth down attempt. 
 
Northern Michigan would continue to implement a slow, methodical gameplan for the remainder of the frame. The Wildcats led 14-0 after 15 minutes, holding possession for nearly two-thirds of the quarter. It would not take long for Northern Michigan to strike again, scoring on a rare pass play to take a commanding 21-0 lead. 
 
A stellar sideline throw from Strand (and an even better catch from Carson Elbert) would finally breathe life into the Dragons. MSUM would march down to the Wildcat four-yard line before Strand found Thorson for the season's first score. The Dragons would employ a fake field goal on the PAT, which found Grant Warkenthein crossing the goal line for two points. Midway through the second quarter, MSUM trailed 21-8 following a 12-play, 75-yard drive. 
 
Needing a defensive stop, Moorhead would do one better as Northern Michigan would miscue on an option pitch. The ballhawking Jack Johnson would fall on the ball, giving MSUM possession within the Wildcat 10-yard line. Strand would cap a short drive in two plays, finding Gage Florence for a one yard passing score. MSUM would trail 21-15 after the PAT from Max Watson. 
 
Before the break, the home team would begin driving again, working their way inside the Dragon 10-yard line with two minutes to go. Northern Michigan would score on a fourth down attempt from the one-yard line to move their lead back to two scores, 27-15, after a failed two-point attempt. That score would hold true through the rest of the half as Strand passed for 138 yards with Florence making eight receptions. However, the Wildcats owned the time of possession battle, holding the ball for nearly 20 minutes. 
 
McKale Pierson would kick off the second half with a solid kick return which provided MSUM favorable field position at their own 40-yard line. Strand would use a combination of his arm and legs to move the Dragons into the red zone. From there, Strand would link up with Florence from 20 yards away with Florence stretching to make the play. With the ensuing extra point, MSUM would cut the deficit to five points, 27-22. 
 
Just as Northern Michigan was attempting to respond, another botched option lateral fell into the hands of MSUM. This time, it was true freshman Dean Lempka recovering the fumble and providing the Dragon offense with splendid field position. The familiar tandem of Strand and Florence would help move MSUM to the Wildcat 27-yard line from there. 
 
Florence would dazzle again a few plays later, getting past the Wildcat secondary and catching another score from Strand. The pairing's third touchdown gave the Dragons their first lead, thus erasing the initial 21-point deficit. Strand would find Tyson Brandt on a two-point try to have MSUM up 30-27. MSUM's defense would show up again on the ensuing drive as a fumble recovered by Gavin Jarchow gave the Dragons possession once more. 
 
A completed pass to a returning Carter Birrenkott would move MSUM to the Northern Michigan 35-yard line as time expired in the third period. The Dragons would move to the 14-yard line early in the final frame. Strand would then proceed to fire a laser to Kelly Johnson in the end zone, his fifth touchdown of the game. With less than a minute off the clock in the period, MSUM led 37-27. 
 
The Wildcats would drive again, scoring on another long drive, capped by a goal line run. MSUM would get the ball back leading 37-34 with just over eight minutes to play. The Dragons would employ a good mix of run and pass plays, headlined by strong runs from Brandt. A wonderful play action fake had Strand rolling to his right, eventually tossing up a moonshot that found the waiting arms of Elbert. Strand's sixth touchdown pass matches the single-game school record held by himself and Jon Frykman. 
 
Leading 44-34, the Dragons would allow the Wildcats to work their way down the field through the air. Northern Michigan would get the ball down to the MSUM eight-yard line with just over a minute to play. MSUM would hold the Wildcats to three points, keeping their lead at seven points (44-37). 
 
Needing an onside kick recovery, it was Florence who made the crucial reception again. The senior leapt to grab the flailing kick to keep possession with the Dragons. Northern Michigan would force a Dragon punt, giving them one final chance with 26 seconds left. However, an interception from Kennan Stowers would seal the Dragon victory, 44-37. 
 
Top Dragons

• Jack Strand: 35-48, 336 yards, six touchdowns
• Gage Florence: 17 receptions, 147 yards, three touchdowns
• Mitchell Jezierski: 18 total tackles (12 solo tackles), one sack, two tackles for loss
• Tate Gustafson: 14 tackles, 0.5 sack
• Carson Elbert: Five receptions, 97 yards, one touchdown
• Gavin Jarchow: Six tackles, one fumble recovery

 
Up Next
 
Moorhead (1-0) is set to begin NSIC competition next weekend as they travel to Marshall, Minn., for a date with Southwest Minnesota State. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 6.