MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead football team came up just short in a defensive battle Saturday afternoon at Nemzek Stadium. The Dragons fell 14-13 to Northern State.
The Dragons held a second-half lead before the Wolves (6-2, 5-2 NSIC) scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter to secure the one-point victory. MSUM had an opportunity to regain the lead late in the fourth quarter on a field goal attempt. However, the snap would go awry with no kick attempted, thus sealing the 14-13 result.
MSUM struck first in the opening quarter when quarterback Drew Huebner connected with Reggie Bruner for a 12-yard touchdown pass. The score was the first of Bruner's career. Northern State responded just 1:21 later, as Joey Dube-Garrett found Jacoby Boykins for a 69-yard scoring strike to give the Wolves a 7-6 lead. After a scoreless second quarter, the Dragons regained the advantage in the third. Huebner capped a nine-play, 38-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, and Max Watson added the extra point to put MSUM ahead 13-7.
Northern State answered in the fourth quarter, marching 50 yards on 11 plays before Hank Kraft punched in a two-yard touchdown run. Jeremy Caruso's extra point proved to be the difference, giving the Wolves a 14-13 lead with 9:54 remaining.
Huebner led MSUM offensively, completing 12 of 37 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown while adding 99 rushing yards and a score on 21 carries. Tyson Brandt contributed 49 rushing yards, while Kelly Johnson paced the receiving corps with three catches for 61 yards. Bruner hauled in the Dragons' lone passing touchdown.
Despite the loss, MSUM finished with 328 yards of total offense, including 174 on the ground, and held the ball for 30:50. The Dragons also recorded 19 first downs compared to Northern State's 13.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Today's 14-13 loss coupled with last year's 49-48 overtime defeat to Northern State marked the first time in 34 years where the Dragons have played two consecutive one-point games against the same school. MSUM since fell 35-34 to Northern State on October 10, 1992 before topping the Wolves 41-40 on October 9, 1993 in Aberdeen. It's also the first time in the history of the program the Dragons have lost by one point in consecutive years to the same school.
Up Next
The Dragons (5-3, 4-3 NSIC) will look to bounce back on the road in the annual Battle For The Axe with Bemidji State. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
