Box Score Mankato, Minn.--- No. 2 Minnesota State was able to run all over Northern State on homecoming as they defeated the Wolves 42-14. The Mavericks compiled over 447 yards on the ground and 160 yards through air totaling 607 yards of offense.

With the win, MSU improves to 4-0 on the season, while NSU falls to 1-3.

Senior Jon Wolf paced the Mavericks offense as he rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 160 yards and a touchdown. Senior Dennis Carter led the team in receiving as he compiled 82 yards on four catches with a long of 53. Sophomores Chad Zastrow and Connor Thomas added 102 yards and 81 rushing yards, respectively.

The Mavericks defense played strong throughout the game and didn't let up a score until the fourth quarter. MSU forced three fumbles, recovering one of those, had two interceptions and one sack. Northern State was only able to rush for 61 yards and throw for another 234 yards totaling 295 yards of offense. Senior Isaac Kolstad led the team with nine tackles while junior Kris Fleigle added seven.

The Mavericks got off to a quick start scoring just 1:41 into the game as Wolf faked a handoff and ran 50 yards for his third rushing touchdown of the season.

On the Mavericks second drive of the game they converted on fourth and two, their first fourth down attempt of the season. The fourth down conversion lead to a 24-yard field goal attempt by senior kicker Sam Brockshus which went wide left giving the ball back to Northern State.

Northern State was driving down the field trying to score their first touchdown of the game as junior Nathan Hancock tipped a pass from NSU quarterback Jared Jacobson and sophomore Patrick Schmidt intercepted it at the goal line and returned it 30 yards. The Schmidt interception led to another Wolf touchdown run, this time from 31 yards out making the score 14-0 at the half.

On the first play of the second half MSU picked off another pass, this time by sophomore Justin Otto, his first of the season. On the ensuing drive Thomas ran the ball in from seven yards out for another Maverick touchdown.

The Mavericks defense forced a three and out on the Wolves next drive. On the first play of the drive Wolf through a 53-yard pass to Carter and a personal foul added on to that brought the ball all the way down to the Wolves seven yard line. On the next play Wolf threw his sixth touchdown of the season, a seven-yard touchdown to junior Jeff Burns making the score 28-0. Sophomore Mitch Brozovich added another touchdown sneaking one in from one-yard out.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter MSU struck again as Zastrow ran in his first touchdown of the year on a 52-yard run giving the Mavericks a 42-0 edge.

The Mavericks defense forced another turnover on the Wolves next drive, this time a fumble forced by senior Ryan Saumur and recovered by freshman Colt Nero at the 47-yard line.

Northern State would score the last two touchdowns of the game, one on a 3-yard pass and the other on a 27-yard touchdown pass.

Minnesota State will head up to Concordia-St. Paul Saturday Oct. 5th to take on the Golden Bears. The game time is slated for 12 p.m.

                                                                       -30-