WINONA, Minn. --- The #3 Minnesota State football team made extended its winning streak on the road Thursday evening as it downed the Winona State Warriors 44-24.
With the win, MSU improved to 6-0 on the season, while Winona State fell to 3-3.
As a unit, MSU tallied 421 yards of total offense, including 160 on the ground and 261 through the air. The Maverick defense held the Warriors to just 71 rushing yards. The Mavericks also combined for seven sacks, to go along with one interception.
Winona State opened the game with a field goal after driving 66 yards down field to take an early 3-0 lead. MSU responded with a pair of touchdown drives in the first quarter, to take a 14-3 lead. Junior
Connor Thomas ran in MSU's first touchdown from four yards out, before sophomore
Ricky Lloyd threw a 53-yard strike to senior
Dorian Buford.
MSU added two more touchdowns in the second quarter, compared to one touchdown by WSU, to take a 28-10 lead into halftime. Senior
Andy Pfeiffer posted a three-yard touchdown run, before sophomore
Nick Pieruccini threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to junior
Bryce Duncan.
The third quarter saw both teams add another touchdown to their stat sheets. Pfeiffer notched his second touchdown of the game as he rushed forward 13 yards for the score.
MSU's final touchdown of the game came with 9:29 left in the fourth quarter as Pieruccini threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Buford. Sophomore
Alec Vesper recorded a safety for the Maverick defense in the fourth quarter as well.
Junior
Josh Gordon proved to be a defensive force once again as he came up with four quarterback sacks, with junior
Tyler Henderson, senior
Shonquille Dorsey and sophomore
Colt Nero each posting one sack.
Junior
Rob Myers led the Maverick defense with seven tackles, while senior
Nathan Hancock tallied his fourth interception of the season.
On offense, Pfeiffer led the Maverick rushing attack with 57 yards and two touchdowns.
Buford recorded a game-high 136 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The Mavericks return home Friday, Oct. 17, as they take on the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. The opening kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
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