SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead football suffered its first loss of the 2026 season on Saturday. The Dragons fell in heartbreaking fashion to Sioux Falls in overtime, 29-28.
Moorhead's offense would waste no time in getting moving as the Dragons claimed possession to open the contest.
Drew Huebner would complete a pair of passes to fellow sophomore
Kalen Lucas to have MSUM near the midfield stripe. A few plays later Huebner would find a wide open
Seth Staloch in the end zone for a 31-yard pitch and catch. Staloch's first career touchdown provided an early 7-0 cushion for Moorhead.
After the teams traded punts on the ensuing two drives, Sioux Falls would even the score at seven points midway through the first quarter. Neither offense would score throughout the remainder of the frame with the Cougars nabbing momentum after picking Huebner off late in the period. Sioux Falls would score early in the second quarter to claim a 13-7 lead.
MSUM's offense would continue to struggle against a pesky Cougar defense. Sioux Falls would turn the Dragons over on downs on the next series, but MSUM's defense continued to answer the call. Neither team would put points on the scoreboard through the remainder of the half. The Cougars led 13-7 after the early lead from Moorhead.
More of the same would be seen to open the second half. Both teams would be forced to punt on their opening pair of drives in the third period. After a third Cougar punt, MSUM's offense finally showed some life late in the stanza. Huebner would use his legs, as well as a completion to
Kelly Johnson, to get MSUM to the USF 39-yard line. With the Dragons driving, Sioux Falls would carry the 13-7 lead into the final 15 minutes.
Out of the quarter break, Moorhead would opt to go for it on a fourth and 11 play. Huebner delivered a pass to
Reggie Bruner, who sprinted to the Cougar two-yard line. On the next play, Huebner would use his legs to push into the end zone.
Max Watson's ensuing extra point put the Dragons back in front, 14-13. The Dragon defense would only continue to do its job, forcing another Sioux Falls punt on the ensuing drive.
The game began to shift in Moorhead's favor from there as the Dragons would piece together a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Huebner would connect with
Denzel Sutton for a 28-yard gain on third and eight to keep the series alive. After Sutton made another catch, Moorhead sat at the USF one-yard line. Huebner would punch the ball in again to create a 21-13 Dragon lead. The next offensive play for Sioux Falls also went Moorhead's way as
Evan Miles picked off a pass to provide the Dragons possession once more.
While Moorhead would not score after the turnover, they would successfully trim valuable time off the clock. Sioux Falls would be met with a fourth down play with two minutes to play in the game. The Cougars would stay alive, moving to MSUM's side of the field on a deep pass. Sioux Falls would get inside the Dragon 20-yard line with 50 seconds left in regulation. A few plays later, Sioux Falls would score a touchdown, making the count 21-19. The Cougars would convert on the necessary two-point conversion to even the score at 21 points with 39 seconds remaining.
As the game went to an extra session, Moorhead would hold possession first. The Dragons only needed one play as Huebner found a hole on a quarterback run, scampering 25 yards. With Sioux Falls taking their chance, Moorhead led 28-21. Sioux Falls would only need two plays to score themselves, bringing the score to 28-27. The Cougars would opt for two points, successfully converting to win the game 29-28.
Top Dragons
- Drew Huebner: 20-41, 253 yards, one touchdown, 20 carries, 75 yards, three touchdowns
- Evan Miles: Seven total tackles, one interception
- Gannon Bolgrean: Six tackles
- Tyson Brandt: 10 carries, 61 yards, five receptions, 49 yards
- Tristan Ulmer: Six punts, 42.3 Y/P, One Inside-20
Up Next
MSUM (2-1, 1-1 NSIC) will make a return trip to Sioux Falls next weekend for a Saturday tilt with Augustana. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
