Box Score Crookston, Minn. --- The 16th-ranked Minnesota State football team outscored Minnesota, Crookston, 28-3 in the second half to turn a 14-0 halftime advantage into a 42-3 victory Saturday afternoon at Ed Widseth on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Crookston.
The Maverick defense forced four turnovers in the victory, including three interceptions. The defensive unit also scored a touchdown – the second of the game – when senior linebacker Matt McQuiston sacked UMC quarterback Josh Perea, popping the ball loose. Sophomore defensive back Jesse Hamilton picked up the ball and ran 25 yards into the endzone for the score. Brockshus’ PAT was good and MSU took a 14-0 lead at the 5:10 mark of the second quarter.
Minnesota State opened the game with excellent field position as Hamilton returned the opening kickoff 44 yards to the UMC 44-yardline. Sophomore quarterback Will Brogan was 4-for-4 on the drive, completing three passes to sophomore wideout Cody Rose, including a six-yard scoring strike, which put MSU on the board at the 12:16 mark. Sophomore kicker Sam Brockshus added the extra point and the Mavericks opened a 7-0 lead.
After UMC started the third quarter with a field goal the Mavericks answered with scoring drive of their own. Junior running back Taylor Brookins set Minnesota State up with great field position as he returned the kick 37 yards to the UMC 48 yardline. A 15-yard completion from Brogan to senior Josh Rauser and a personal foul moved the Mavericks to the 20.
Brookins then took over inside the 20, rushing three times for 21 yards, including a nine-yard scoring run up the middle. Brockshus added the extra point and MSU took a 21-3 lead at the 9:17 mark of the third quarter.
Sophomore Chris Echols added the Mavericks fourth touchdown of the day when he rushed in from 13-yards out over left tackle to cap a 10-play 82-yard drive that used six minutes and seven seconds off the clock. Brockshus was true on his extra point and the Mavericks opened a 28-3 advantage.
After an interception by redshirt freshman linebacker Derrick Jacobs set the Mavericks up on the UMC 49-yard line, the Mavericks used a two-play, 26-second drive the score its fifth touchdown of the game as Brogan found sophomore Adam Thielen for a 39-yard touchdown along the visitor sideline. Brockshus’ extra point was good and the Mavericks opened a 35-3 lead.
Echols added a six-yard touchdown in the fourth putting the decision to rest.
Brookins finished the game rushing nine times for 70 yards and a score, while Echols rushed seven times for 56 yards and two scores. Brogan completed 19-of-32 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Rose finished with eight catches for 92 yards and a touchdown to pace the Maverick receiver corps.
Defensively, McQuiston led MSU with 10 tackles, including two for a loss. Hamilton also added seven tackles including one for a loss, a pass break-up and an interception. The defense limited UMC to just 148 total yards – 99 on the ground and just 49 in the air. MSU finished with nine tackles for a loss in the win, including four sacks.
The game featured a total of 20 penalties for 185 yards.
The Mavericks (3-0, 2-0 NSIC) opens NSIC South Division action next Saturday evening as they host Concordia at 6 p.m.
To view the stats, click HERE
