Box Score Sioux Falls, S.D. --- From the opening drive Saturday afternoon, #1 Minnesota State ran all over the Sioux Falls Cougars as it claimed its 10th win of the season by the score of 52-17.

With the win MSU improves to 10-0 on the season, including a 6-0 mark in the NSIC South Division. With the win, the Mavericks have claimed at least a share of the overall NSIC Championship and sole possession of the NSIC South Division Championship.

As a team, MSU recorded 346 rushing yards on the day, while holding the Cougars to just 102 rushing yards. The Mavericks also posted five rushing touchdowns, while USF managed just one touchdown on the ground.

Junior Andy Pfeiffer had a big impact on the ground attack for the Mavericks as he notched 66 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Connor Thomas posted a team-high 135 rushing yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Chad Zastrow tallied 18 rushing yards and a touchdown as well.

While the Maverick rushing attack was firing on all cylinders, the Maverick defense was making its presence felt all game long as it allowed just 102 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Tyler Henderson led the Mavericks with eight tackles, while eight different Mavericks recorded a tackle for loss, including senior Ryan Saumur, who led the team with two tackles for a loss. The duo of sophomore Justin Otto and sophomore Jared Gillespie each posted an interception as well.

MSU boasted a lethal passing attack as senior Jon Wolf completed 12-of-14 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Dennis Carter notched 144 receiving yards and a touchdown, while junior Austin Rieder notched one touchdown catch and 36 receiving yards.

The Mavericks started hot as they scored five touchdowns in their first six drives to go up 35-3 heading into halftime. MSU added two more touchdowns in the second half, to go along with a 38 yard field goal from senior Sam Brockshus.

Sioux Falls got on the board early in the second quarter as Bradley Hatfield booted a 32 yard field goal. Bradley Rose notched 42 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Matt Young tallied 225 passing yards, including an 18-yard touchdown pass to Carrington Hanna.

MSU has now won its last 21 NSIC games dating back to week one of the 2012 season and has now posted its third 10-0 start to a season since joining the NSIC back in the 2008 season, with the previous two times coming during the 2009 and 2012 seasons.

The Mavericks wrap up their regular season schedule Saturday, Nov. 16, as they travel to Upper Iowa. The opening kickoff is set for 12 p.m.

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