Box Score

Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football squad started the season with three night victories. On Saturday, they proved they are just as good in the daytime. The 22^nd-ranked Mavericks ran roughshod over the Minnesota State-Moorhead defense amassing 339 yards on the ground in the 24-0 shutout win over the Dragons in front of 3,837 fans packed inside historic Blakeslee Stadium.

MSU was led at quarterback by redshirt freshman #Mitch Brozovich# who was making his first collegiate start. On the Mavericks’ second drive of the game, Brozovich found redshirt freshman wideout Kyle Riggott for a 10-yard touchdown toss

“I need to play better next week than I did this week for sure,” said Brozovich. “I thought the offensive line did a great job protecting me all game.”

That offensive line did not give up a sack on the afternoon.

Brozovich finished 8-for-20 through the air for 88 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.  He also rushed 16 times for 79 yards.

The scoring drive was highlighted by a 29-yard run by sophomore running back #Andy Pfeiffer#. On MSU’s first series, Pfeiffer was heading for a 55-yard touchdown run, but was stripped of the ball from behind at the one-yard line. MSU-Moorhead recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchback.

“It definitely helps having coaches that have confidence in me,” said Pfeiffer. “That’s the biggest thing as a player to know that they’re willing to still give you the ball after a big fumble like that.”

Pfeiffer ran the ball 18 times for 168 yards. The Mavericks outgained the Dragons 339 to 39 on the ground.  Freshman #Connor Thomas# added to the MSU ground assault with 77 yards on 16 carries. 

The 168 yards was the second-highest single-game total of Pfeiffer’s career at MSU and marked his tenth career 100-yard game.

The score remained 7-0 through three quarters as wind played a key role. The Mavericks spent the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters driving into a stiff breeze and passed on field goal attempts within the Dragons’ 30-yard line on two separate occasions. Those possessions ended on failed fourth down attempts.

“Some of it is a feel thing,” said MSU acting head coach Aaron Keen. “If we felt like we could convert those fourth downs and some of it was we wanted to make sure we’re not putting (junior kicker) Sam (Brockshus) in a difficult position where he’s trying to drive the ball and recreating a low kick and creating a block opportunity.”

The start of the fourth quarter brought a change in the wind and a change in momentum for the Mavericks. With the wind now at the Mavericks’ backs #Sam Brockshus# connected on a 39-yard field goal a minute and a half into the quarter.

Minnesota State’s next drive started with a 38-yard pass play from Brozovich to sophomore #Jeff Burns# down to the Moorhead 19-yard line. On a 3rd-and-goal from the three, Brozovich threw his second touchdown pass of the day connected to sophomore #Keyvan Rudd# via a deflection in the back corner of the end zone for a 17-0 lead with 9:26 remaining.

Another Brozovich to Rudd connection in the game’s final minute from two yards out ended the game’s scoring on the afternoon.

The win marks the first time since 2009 that the Mavericks have started 4-0 and it’s the seventh time in program history and the shutout marked its second against the Dragons in the team’s last three meetings.

The Mavericks (4-0, 4-0 NSIC) host Concordia next Saturday for Homecoming. The kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Listen to in-game highlights and postgame interviews HERE