Box Score Mankato, Minn.--- 18th-ranked Minnesota State opened up its 2010 campaign by grinding out a 7-6 victory over Northern Michigan on a cloudy Thursday night at Blakeslee Stadium.
 
The game was played in front of a crowd of 3,713 fans..
 
The seven points marked the fewest points for the Mavericks in a victory since Oct. 15,1966, when they downed Bemidji State, 6-0.
 
The win marked the 37th time that Minnesota State has opened its season with a victory, and also represented the sixth straight home opener for MSU.
 
The Mavericks and Wildcats played out a quick, scoreless first half. Northern Michigan’s offense outplayed the Mavericks in the first half, racking up 170 yards and nine first downs on 31 plays. That compared to just 58 yards and three first downs on 24 plays for Minnesota State.
 
Minnesota State had the first shot at scoring in the second half after a botched snap by the Wildcats gave the Mavericks the ball at their own 8-yard line, however they came up empty on a failed 22-yard field goal attempt.  MSU had another chance to score later in the third however a 36-yard field goal sailed wide right.
 
The Mavericks finally got on the scoreboard with 5:33 left to go in the fourth quarter.
 
Sophomore quarterback Will Brogan hit sophomore wide receiver Adam Thielen on a fade to the back corner of the endzone for a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it 6-0. A successful point after by sophomore Sam Brockshus gave Minnesota State a 7-0 advantage late in the fourth.
 
The Wildcats struck back with only 42 seconds remaining on the clock when Kopach hit receiver Christian Marble-King on a 19-yard touchdown pass. Northern Michigan elected to go the two point conversion and the win and the Mavericks defense came up big and forced an incomplete pass. The Mavericks recovered the onside kick attempt and held on for the win.
 
Offensively for Minnesota State, sophomore running back Jake Aberg paced the running game with 67 yards on 21 carries. Thielen caught two passes for 35 yards.  Brogan finished the game connecting on 6–of-9 passes for 67 yards.
 
On defense the Mavericks were led by senior safety Troy Jones; who had seven tackles and a half a sack. Senior linebacker Dan Fehlberg and sophomore defensive tackle Austin Schachtner each recorded six tackles and one sack a piece.
 
Minnesota State (1-0, 0-0 NSIC) travels to Northern State Saturday, September 11th at 1 p.m.
 
To view the game stats, click HERE