WAYNE, Neb. --- The top-rated Minnesota State football team earned its fifth road win of the season as it shutout the Wayne State Wildcats 49-0 Saturday afternoon.

With the win, MSU improves to 10-0 on the season, including a 6-0 record in NSIC South Division action. The Mavericks have now won at least a share of the NSIC South Division Championship. MSU has now posted three shutouts this season.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Mavericks recorded three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead into halftime.

Junior Connor Thomas got the scoring going with a two-yard touchdown run with just over 13 minutes to go in the quarter. MSU tallied its second touchdown of the quarter as sophomore Nick Pieruccini connected with senior Austin Rieder on a 23-yard touchdown pass to put the Mavericks up 14-0.

With just over five minutes to go in the half, the Maverick defense stopped the Wildcats on a fourth and four at the MSU 21, before the MSU offense went 79 yards on seven plays , including a 30-yard touchdown run by Pieruccini, to take a 21-0 lead.

The Mavericks added two touchdowns in the third quarter as Pieruccini ran in his second touchdown of the game, this time from 13 yards out, to put MSU up 28-0. Senior Kris Fleigle added the second Maverick touchdown of the quarter as he returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown.

MSU added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 49-0. Pieruccini notched his third rushing touchdown of the game, before junior Chad Zastrow ran in a touchdown from three yards out with 2:49 left on the clock.

As a unit, the Mavericks notched 542 yards of total offense, including 370 passing yards. In contrast, the Wildcats managed just 268 total yards of offense.

Pieruccini finished the day with 91 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also threw for 297 yards, including one touchdown pass. Senior Dorian Buford and Rieder each tallied 108 receiving yards.

On defense, juniors Tyler Henderson and Josh Gordon, along with senior Nathan Hancock, each posted a team-leading six tackles. Juniors Justin Otto and Rob Myers, along with freshman Cory Brent, each forced a fumble as well.

The Mavericks return to action on Saturday, Nov. 15, as they host the Upper Iowa Peacocks at Blakeslee Stadium in their regular season finale. The opening Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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