Mankato, Minn.---  Minnesota State tallied a season-high 569 yards of total offense en route to a 48-14 victory over the visiting Upper Iowa Peacocks Saturday afternoon at Blakeslee Stadium in front of 2,735 fans.

The 569 yards of total offense is tied for the fifth-highest total offense output in school history.  It is also the highest offensive output for MSU since it totaled 569 yards in a 37-15 win at Minnesota Duluth on Sept. 4, 1999.

MSU also established season-highs in rushing attempts (52), rushing yards (301), offensive plays (84), points (48) and first downs (28).

The Maverick rushing attack marked the seventh time in program history that MSU has had more than 300 yards rushing and the first since it ran for 310 yards at Concordia last season.  Sophomore running back Chris Echols led the way on the ground with 21 carries for 182 yards, the most rushing yards by a Maverick this year.  The 182 yards is the fifth best single-game effort in school history.

Minnesota State opened up the scoring on its first possession with a 33-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Will Brogan to sophomore receiver Cody Rose. Sophomore kicker Sam Brockshus added the point after to give the Mavericks an early 7-0 advantage. 

The Mavericks used a bit of trickery to score on their next drive. On fourth down Minnesota State lined up to punt but instead direct snapped it to Echols, who took it 64 yards for the score. Brockshus was successful on the point after and MSU led 14-0.

"We have been working on that all week," said Echols of the fake punt.  "The guys in front of me did a good job and they made a big block down the field."

Brogan to Rose was once again the connection with 1:11 on the clock in the first quarter, this time on an 11-yard touchdown pass. Brockshus put the extra point through the uprights to put the Mavericks up by a score of 21-0.

An interception return by junior safety Jesse Hamilton set up a Minnesota State 27-yard field goal and Brockshus booted it through the uprights to make the score 24-0 with 4:31 remaining in the second quarter.

The Peacocks got on the scoreboard with 2:30 left to play in the first half as quarterback Ben Curran hit Jessie Hubbard on a four-yard touchdown pass. Kicker Tyler Parmenter was good on the point after and Upper Iowa now trailed the Mavericks 24-7.

Another Minnesota State interception, this time from senior safety Troy Jones, set up the first points of the second half with 11:38 in the third quarter left on the clock. Junior Taylor Brookins punched in a one-yard run for the score. The Brockshus kick made the score 31-7 in favor of Minnesota State.

Minnesota State extended its lead near the end of the third quarter as Brookins ran it in for the score on a four-yard play. Brockshus was good on the kick and the Mavericks led 38-7.

Brockshus hit a 26-yard field goal at 14:16 in the fourth quarter making the score 41 to 7.

Minnesota State redshirt freshman running back Vince Workman recorded his first career touchdown at the 9:11 mark in the fourth quarter, taking it in from one yard out. The Brockshus kick made the score now 48-7.

Upper Iowa scored on an eight-yard run when Curran scrambled in for the touchdown. The point after by Parmenter made the score 48-14 in favor of the Mavericks.

Brogan finished 13-of-26 through the air for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Both of Rose’s catches went for touchdowns as he finished with 44 yards on the game.

Sophomore receiver Adam Thielen hauled in five receptions for 63 yards while senior Josh Rauser hauled in two catches for 43 yards.

Senior linebacker Matt McQuiston led MSU’s defensive effort with seven tackles, while senior Dan Fehlberg added five.

The Maverick defensive unit allowed Upper Iowa to just 245 yards of total offense and yielded just eight first downs.  Minnesota State won the time of possession battle, 41:44 to 18:16. 

Minnesota State (4-3, 3-3 NSIC) is back in action next Saturday at 1 p.m. at Wayne State.  

To view the game stats, click HERE