MANKATO, Minn. --- It proved to be a competitive game Saturday afternoon at Blakeslee Stadium but a late fourth-quarter rally by #1 Minnesota State proved to be the difference as it topped #10 Sioux Falls 27-14.

With the win, MSU improved to 9-0 on the season, while USF fell to 8-1. The Mavericks have now won 31 consecutive NSIC games.

The Mavericks entered the fourth quarter trailing for the first time this season as the Cougars held a 14-10 lead. Undaunted, the Mavericks rallied for 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to secure the 27-14 win.

Sophomore Nick Pieruccini connected with senior Dorian Buford on a 41-yard touchdown pass with 13:41 to go in the game to give MSU the 17-14 lead.

On MSU's next drive, it was junior Connor Thomas who provided the scoring play as he ran 70 yards to pay dirt to put the Mavericks up 24-14 with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter. A late field goal by junior Alden Haffar put MSU up by 13 at 27-14 before the Mavericks secured their ninth win of the season.

Pieruccini finished his day completing 7-of-16 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, while Buford caught three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Buford now has 12 touchdown catches on the season, just two behind Josh Nelsen's single-season record of 14 touchdown catches set during the 1994 season.

The Maverick rushing attack ran for 326 yards against the Cougars, marking the third time this season MSU has rushed for more than 300 yards. Thomas posted his ninth 100-rushing yard effort as he posted 140 rushing yards and a touchdown. Senior Andy Pfeiffer notched 93 rushing yards, while Pieruccini added 88 rushing yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, junior Josh Gordon wreaked havoc on the Cougars as he tallied 10 tackles, including four sacks for a loss of 28 yards. His four sacks brings his season total to 16.5, which breaks the previous MSU single-season sack record of 13.5 set by Steve Connelly during the 1992 season.

The Mavericks also came up with three turnovers against the Cougars. Senior Kris Fleigle and junior Rumeal Harris each came up with an interception, while senior Barry Ballinger recovered a fumble. Junior Rob Myers notched 10 tackles as well.

The Mavericks return to action on the road on Saturday, Nov. 8 as they take on the Wayne State Wildcats. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.


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