Box Score Wayne, Neb.  —  The Minnesota State football team earned a 13-3 victory over Wayne State Saturday afternoon in front of 1,313 fans in Bob Cunningham Field.  The win marked MSU's third win in as many tries against the Wildcats and the 10-point margin of victory was the largest in the series.

Minnesota State jumped on the scoreboard first when sophomore quarterback Will Brogan found senior H-Back Josh Rauseron a 15-yard touchdown pass at the two-minute, 54-second mark of the first quarter.  Sophomore kicker Sam Brockshus added the PAT and MSU opened a 7-0 lead.  The drive took six plays and covered 45 yards, spanning 2:45 off the clock.

Brockshus connected on a 33-yard field goal with 7:10 remaining in the first half to push the Maverick lead to 10-0, capping a 13-play, 51-yard drive that chewed up 6:55 of the clock.  The field goal was the longest of the season for Brockshus who has hit on his last four field goal attempts.

The Mavericks outgained Wayne State, 169-57 in the first half, including 79-13 on the ground.  The first quarter saw the Wildcats hold onto the ball for 10:01 compared to MSU's 4:59.  The Mavericks reversed the tables in the second quarter, as the possessed the ball for 12:34 compared to just 2:36 for the Wildcats.   

"What a fantastic job by our defense," said head coach Todd Hoffner.  "We played like a team again today.  I thought we (as a team and our fans) were louder than their entire crowd today and that's what a team is all about.  We have turned the corner and become a better team and I am proud of that."

The second half started with Wayne State defensive back Anthony Hale intercepting Brogan and returning the ball to the Maverick 10-yard line.  The Maverick defense would limit the Wildcats to a field goal as Nick Bell connected on a 32-yard attempt to pull the WSC within seven points, at 10-3 with 12:26 remaining in the third quarter.

On the ensuing MSU possession, the Wildcat defense again came through, this time forcing a fumble giving WSC the ball on the Minnesota State 21-yardline.  The Maverick defense again held, this time however Wayne State came away without any points as Bell's 54-yard field goal sailed wide right.

Wayne State marched deep into Maverick territory late in the third quarter, however sophomore defensive end Chris Schaudt recovered an Andre McIntyre fumble in the endzone to give MSU the ball and a touchback to start the fourth quarter.

Minnesota State sealed the win with 3:39 remaining as Brockshus connected on a 19-yard field goal to extend the lead to 13-3.

Offensively, MSU was led by Brogan who connected on 16-of-26 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown.  Junior running back Taylor Brookinsled MSU on the ground rushing 15 times for 55 yards while sophomore Adam Thielen caught five passes for 77 yards.

Defensively, junior defensive back Jesse Hamilton recorded nine stops, seven of which were solo while Schaudt added six tackles, five solo, including two sacks for a loss of 19 yards and a fumble recovery.

The Maverick defense saw Wayne State run 69 plays for just a 176 yards, 70 of which came through the air.  MSU ran 59 plays for 266 yards.   

Minnesota State (5-3, 4-3 NSIC) closes out the road portion of its schedule next Saturday as it travels to Augustana for a 1 p.m. contest.

To view the stats, click HERE

To listen to Coach Hoffner's post game interview with Casey Lloyd, click HERE