Box Score Mankato, Minn.--- No. 2 Minnesota State trailed at halftime but rallied in the second half to defeat Augustana 20-10 Saturday afternoon to stay unbeaten on the season.
 
With the win, Minnesota State improves to 6-0 on the year while Augustana falls to 2-4.
 
In total, the Mavericks had 418 yards of offense, 187 through the air while gaining 231 yards on the ground. Augustana had a total of 176 yards, 103 through the air and just 73 yards on the ground.
 
The Maverick offense was paced by Senior Jon Wolf who threw for 187 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 91 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Connor Thomas added 56 rushing yards while junior Andy Pfeiffer ran for 46 yards. Senior Dennis Carter led all receivers with 111 yards and a touchdown.
 
On the defensive side of the ball the Mavericks had two interceptions. The first was by senior Jordan Hale and the second coming from sophomore Patrick Schmidt. Seniors Isaac Kolstad and Chris Schaudt led the team with six tackles each, two from Schaudt being tackles for loss. Junior Barry Ballinger added five tackles with one sack.
 
The first half was all defense as the first touchdown wasn't scored until there was no time left on the clock. The Mavericks allowed a total of 78 yards while Augustana allowed 187 yards.
 
The Mavericks were able to get on the board first with a 22-yard field goal by senior kicker Sam Brockshus with 8:57 left in the first quarter. On MSU's second drive senior Jon Wolf fumbled as he got into the end zone and Augustana recovered for the touchback.
 
MSU would drive down the field with a 15 play, 80 yard drive that stalled at the 4 yard line. Brockshus connected on the 21 yard field goal making the score 6-0 with 1:27 left in the half. Brockshus is now 9-12 on field goal attempts for the season.
 
On the last play of the half Augustana quarterback Trey Heid connected with Grant Gebhardt on a 39 yard Hail Mary pass scoring the first touchdown of the game and giving the Vikings a 7-6 lead at the half.
 
The defensive battle continued into the second half as neither team would budge. The Vikings would make the score 10-6 as they added a field goal with 4:46 left in the third quarter.
 
The Mavericks were finally able to get into the end zone as Wolf ran one in from 17 yards out. On the drive MSU went 83 yards on 8 plays in a little over five minutes.
 
MSU's defense was able to get its first turnover of the game as Hale picked up his first interception of the season at the MSU 43. The Mavericks were unable to capitalize on the turnover and were forced to punt the ball on the ensuing drive.
 
Augustana would take over on its own 20 and drive the ball all the way down to Mavericks 34. Minnesota State would force Augustana into a fourth and 12 on the 36 and forced Vikings quarterback Trey Heid to throw the ball out of bounds as he was pressured when he threw the ball.
 
On the ensuing drive on a play that looked like a design run, Wolf instead found a wide open Carter for a 53 yard touchdown pass pushing MSU's lead to 20-10 with 3:52 remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
MSU's defense would solidify the game on Augustana's next drive as Schmidt was able to intercept a pass, his second of the season. From there the Maverick offense would take possession and run out the clock.
 
Minnesota State will travel to Marshall, Minn. to take on the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday, October 19. The opening kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
 
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