SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead football opened with a strong start but ultimately fell short in NSIC play on Saturday. The Dragons were defeated by 20
th-ranked Augustana, 45-21.
Augustana would gain possession to open the contest, and the Dragon defense would do its job, forcing a punt on the opening series. Moorhead would take advantage of the early momentum as
Drew Huebner completed a pair of passes to
Jack Julson and
Kalen Lucas. With the Dragons at their own 46-yard line, Moorhead opted to tote the ball with senior back
Tyson Brandt. The bruising Brandt broke off a few Vikings before dashing up the sideline for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Moorhead's defense would continue to look stout early, forcing another Augustana punt on the ensuing series.
Denver Piechowski was the difference maker on the series, earning a sack on a third and 15 play. The Dragons offense would turn in a 14-play drive from there, using the run game as their catalyst. Huebner, Brandt and
Owen Wiersma would help move MSUM to the Viking seven-yard line. The drive would stall from there as
Max Watson would convert on a 23-yard field goal to give MSUM a 10-0 lead. That score held firm after 15 minutes of action.
The Vikings would score quickly into the second quarter to cut into the deficit. Augustana would make a game-changing play on the next Dragon drive, picking off Huebner and offering Augie's offense prime field position. The 20
th-ranked Vikings would score again to take a 14-10 lead near the midway point of the second period.
Huebner's mistake did not deter his mindset as the next series commenced. The sophomore would use his legs to rush for 46 yards to have MSUM deep in Augie territory. The Viking defense would make the necessary stops to only allow a field goal attempt. Watson would convert again, this time from 30 yards away, to have MSUM within one point (14-13). Augustana would command the remainder of the half, scoring on their next two drives to lead 28-13 at the break.
MSUM would take possession to begin the second half, opening with a 10-play drive. A pair of Viking penalties helped push Moorhead to the Augustana 33-yard line. Huebner would connect with senior
Kelly Johnson a few plays later, leading to a 19-yard Dragon touchdown. A successful two-point attempt put the Dragons within a score, 28-21.
The teams would trade punts into the fourth quarter before Augie added a touchdown with under 13 minutes to play. After the Dragons were forced to punt again, Augustana would respond with a back-breaking 12-play drive. The Vikings chewed up over five minutes of game clock and would convert on a field goal to lead 38-21.
Huebner would be intercepted again on the ensuing Dragon drive to give Augustana good field position again. The Vikings would not squander the opportunity, scoring a touchdown to lead 45-21 with less than four minutes to play. That score would hold firm with Huebner accounting for 250 yards of total offense in the game.
Top Dragons
- Drew Huebner; 14-29, 116 yards, one touchdown, 20 carries, 134 yards
- Tyson Brandt: Five carries, 67 yards, one touchdown
- Gannon Bolgrean: Eight total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack
- Kelly Johnson: Three receptions, 40 yards, one touchdown
- Denver Piechowski: Three total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack
Up Next
MSUM (2-2, 1-2 NSIC) returns home for a date with Minnesota Duluth on Saturday beginning at noon.
