MINOT, N.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead football earned its 13
th consecutive victory over Minot State University on Saturday afternoon. More fourth quarter theatrics lifted the Dragons to a 31-24 win over the Beavers in the Magic City.
Moorhead's defense would quickly set a tone on the game's first series, forcing Minot State into a fourth and two play.
Zach Dahl and
Brodie Brunssen would stall up the Beaver rush attack on the play to give MSUM possession near midfield. The Dragons would opt for their own ground-concentrated attack, led by quarterback
Drew Huebner.
The sophomore rushed for 26 yards on MSUM's first series.
Owen Wiersma would churn the offense to the Minot State seven-yard line before Huebner posted the game's first score. Huebner would rush in to provide an early 7-0 lead for the Dragons. The Beavers would respond with a field goal on the ensuing drive to make the score 7-3. Late in the first period, Huebner would be intercepted before Minot State grabbed its first lead. The Beavers would go up 10-7 early in the second quarter off the turnover.
After trading punts, Moorhead's offense would regroup as the first half neared an end. Huebner would link up with
Kalen Lucas for a 62-yard play to spark the drive. The big play landed the Dragons at the Minot State 12-yard line with Huebner scoring again a few plays later. The Morris, Minn., native rushed in from four yards away to put the Dragons back up 14-10. Minot State would score late in the half to carry a 17-14 lead with less than a minute remaining. However, Moorhead would be quick to respond thanks to a pair of completions to Lucas and
Kelly Johnson. Junior
Max Watson would nail a 45-yard field goal as time expired to even the count at 17 points at the break.
Both defenses would tighten up as the second half commenced with neither team scoring in the period. Offense would be at a premium all frame as the Dragons relied on
Tristan Ulmer to win the field position game. After Minot State would take over at Moorhead's 40-yard line, MSUM's defense was needed for a timely stop as the game shifted to the fourth quarter.
The Beavers would begin the quarter on MSUM's 13-yard line, opting to pass on a second down play. Linebacker
Reign Battle would make the biggest play of the contest to that point, diving in front of the pass for an interception. However, Battle was ruled down deep in Dragon territory. Moorhead's offense would take over with little breathing room, sitting closer to their own goal line than the one-yard marker.
After a Wiersma run of 26 yards, MSUM was in business. Two plays later, Huebner would link up with Lucas for a big gain again. This time, Lucas would scamper all the way to the end zone, traveling 75 yards in the process. Minot State would waste no time in squaring the count again, tying the contest at 24 points with less than seven minutes to play.
Moorhead would take over again and employ the legs of Wiersma and Huebner to work down the field. Huebner converted on a fourth and one run before Wiersma scampered 12 yards to place the Dragons at their own 47-yard line. Another connection to Johnson would have Moorhead on the Beaver side of the field with less than three minute to play. Out of the two-minute timeout, MSUM was just outside the red zone at the Beaver 21-yard line. The Dragons would pick up a major first down a few plays later to create a goal to go situation. Huebner would score a play later to place Moorhead up 31-24 with 78 seconds remaining.
The Dragon defense would swiftly stomp out any late Minot State rally.
Adam Kallenbach would intercept a Beaver pass on the first play of the ensuing series. The fifth-year's snag clinched a hard-fought effort for Moorhead, who won 31-24. Huebner finished with 336 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. Lucas would snag nine passes for 184 yards and a score. Minot native
Jake Schaefer led the Dragon defense with nine total tackles. The victory for the Dragons is the 13
thin a row over Minot State dating back to 2013.
Top Dragons
- Drew Huebner: 14-25, 233 pass yards, one touchdown, 23 carries, 103 rush yards, three touchdowns
- Jake Schaefer: Nine total tackles, three solo tackles
- Kalen Lucas: Nine receptions, 184 yards, one touchdown
- Owen Wiersma: 15 carries, 85 yards
- Zach Dahl: Eight total tackles, four solo tackles
- Adam Kallenbach: Seven total tackles, one interception
- Reign Battle: Seven total tackles, one interception
- Derek Tibbetts: Seven total tackles, three solo tackles
Up Next
MSUM (4-2, 3-2 NSIC) is back home for the annual Homecoming game on Saturday, October 10 at noon. Coincidentally, the contest will also be the Battle For The Paddle meeting with the University of Mary.
