MARSHALL, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead football looked sharp on both sides of the ball in Saturday evening's NSIC opener against Southwest Minnesota State. The Dragons racked up 557 yards of total offense in a 51-3 victory over the Mustangs. 

Steve Laqua earned his 67th career victory on Saturday, matching Moorhead luminary Alex Nemzek in the career win column. Laqua and Nemzek are now tied for the second-most wins all-time. 
 
The Dragons would open the game with the ball and would quickly find a rhythm. Jack Strand would complete his first two passes of the evening to Gage Florence, helping MSUM establish a pace. Strand would then link up with Brady Perryman, who would dash up field for 25 yards to keep the Dragons moving. A few plays later, Strand found Carson Elbert for a 15-yard gain, which put the senior quarterback over 10,000 career passing yards. 
 
It would not take long for Moorhead to score from there as Strand found Perryman again for a dazzling back-shoulder play.  The reception is Perryman's first of the season and put the Dragons up 6-0 with the PAT missed. Credit to the Mustangs, who were able to put together a solid offensive drive in response. Southwest Minnesota State would drive down to the Dragon nine-yard line before Adam Kallenbach jumped a slant route for an interception. Even better, Kallenbach would return the pick 21 yards to get Moorhead out of the shadow of their own goal line. 
 
The Dragons would not hesitate on the ensuing drive as Strand found tight end Gavin Lill for a 16-yard gain on the drive's first play. Strand would find Lill a few plays later with the result being a 55-yard touchdown pass. A Mustang miscommunication in the secondary allowed Lill to leak free along the right side, eventually rumbling down the sideline for the score. Midway through the first quarter, MSUM led, 13-0. The ensuing Mustang drive would see them convert on a field goal to make the count 13-3. Strand would be intercepted on the ensuing Dragon drive to provide the Mustangs more momentum.
 
The teams would trade punts over the next two possessions with freshman Tristan Ulmer pinning the Mustangs inside their own 15-yard line. Moorhead would force another punt at the conclusion of the first quarter as the Dragons led 13-3. Tyson Brandt would showcase his running ability to begin the second stanza, aiding the Dragons downfield. The variance of play calls allowed MSUM to move down field with ease as Strand found a consistent connection with Madden Thorson. With the ball at SMSU's six-yard line, Strand found a wide open Lill again for a touchdown, putting the Dragons up 20-3. 
 
That momentum would carry over to the defensive side of the ball as Kallenbach again jumped a Mustang pass for his second interception. The play put the Moorhead offense at the Mustang 33-yard line. Strand would connect with true freshman Kalen Lucas for a 15-yard gain to help move MSUM into the red zone once more. While the Dragons would get down to the Mustang four-yard line, Strand was intercepted again in the end zone on fourth down. 
 
Southwest Minnesota State would be forced to punt on the ensuing drive, but the snap went awry. The ball landed all the way back to the Mustang 15-yard line with the ball recovered by Zach Dahl. Moorhead would make quick work of the short field as Strand found Perryman for another score, making the count 27-3 in favor of the Dragons. 
 
Before the halftime break, the Dragons would force another punt with the Dragons getting the ball on their own 32-yard line with just under three minutes to play. MSUM would strike again on the ensuing drive as Strand launched a deep ball to Carter Birrenkott, which was caught and scored from 43 yards away. The play was Strand's fifth touchdown pass of the half and pushed the Dragon lead to 34-3. That score would hold up after 30 minutes as Strand passed for 319 yards. 
 
While the Mustangs began the second half with possession, it only took three plays for the Dragon defense to make another play. This time, it was senior McKale Pierson with MSUM's third interception of the contest. The Dragons would opt to sit Strand in the second half in favor of redshirt freshman Timmy Guler. The teams would trade punts on the next two drives before the Dragons took over with just under ten minutes to go in the period. 
 
Guler would look sharp in relief on that drive, finding the freshman Lucas to start. Owen Wiersma would help move the Dragons to the Mustang 33-yard line. From there, Guler would fire a pass to a streaking Lucas, who scampered to the end zone for his first career touchdown. The play moved the Dragons lead to 38 points as the third quarter ticked away. 
 
As the Dragon offense moved at the outset of the fourth quarter, it was Guler who again made a strong showing. The Pelican Rapids, Minn., native found Birrenkott for a 24-yard score and his second passing touchdown of the game. Not even a minute into the final frame, MSUM led 48-3.
 
Moorhead's defense would stall out the Mustangs again on the ensuing drive with the Dragons driving again thereafter. Max Watson would connect on a 27-yard try to move the score to 51-3 In favor of MSUM. That score would hold firm, moving the Dragons to 2-0. Moorhead piled up 557 yards of total offense and held the Mustangs to minus-two rushing yards for the contest. 
 
Top Dragons

• Jack Strand: 22-33, 319 yards, five touchdowns
• Adam Kallenbach: Three tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, one pass breakup
• Carter Birrenkott: Three receptions, 101 yards, two touchdowns
• Brady Perryman: Six receptions, 77 yards, two touchdowns
• Gavin Lill: Three receptions, 77 yards, two touchdowns
• Tate Gustafson: Six tackles, one tackle for loss
• Timmy Guler: 6-9, 112 yards, two touchdowns
• Kalen Lucas: Five receptions 70 yards, one touchdown

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (2-0, 1-0 NSIC) will now prepare for the 2025 home opener against Winona State. Kickoff against the Warriors is scheduled for noon on Saturday, September 13.