Box Score BEMIDJI, Minn. --- The third-rated Minnesota State football team claimed its fourth win of the season behind a strong showing in the second half as it claimed the 34-16 victory over the Bemidji State Beavers.

With the win, MSU improves to 4-0 on the season, while BSU falls to 0-4. MSU has now won 26 consecutive NSIC contests.

Minnesota State saw several players on both sides of the ball make key contributions in its win over the Beavers Saturday evening.

On defense, the Mavericks were led by junior Joshua Gordon, who tallied eight tackles, including three sacks for a loss of 13 yards. Junior Tyler Henderson also made his presence felt on defense as he notched a team-high 11 tackles, including one sack, to go along with three defended passes.

The Maverick defense also came up with four turnovers including three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Junior Rob Myers picked off two BSU passes, while senior Nathan Hancock recorded MSU's other interception. Junior Justin Otto recovered a fumble as well.

MSU had several standouts on offense as well as the Mavericks put up 36 points in its win over the Beavers.

Sophomore Ricky Lloyd threw for 200 yards and two touchdown passes. He also rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown. Junior Connor Thomas led the MSU rushing attack with 118 rushing yards and a touchdown, marking his fifth career 100-yard rushing game.

Senior Dorian Buford caught four passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Kyle Riggot posted 66 receiving yards.

Bemidji State recorded the first quarter's only scores as it connected on a 32-yard field goal on its opening drive to go up 3-0 before Ryan Shields rushed in a one-yard touchdown run to put BSU up 10-0.

After BSU's touchdown, the Mavericks responded with a scoring drive of its own as sophomore Nick Pieruccini posted a one-yard touchdown run to bring the score to 10-6 in favor of the Beavers.

In the second half, it was all Minnesota State as the Mavericks outscored the Beavers 28-6 through the final two quarters of play, en route to a 34-16 win.

On BSU's first play of the second half junior Rumeal Harris forced a fumble that was recovered by Otto. Two plays later, Lloyd connected with Buford in the end zone to put the Mavericks in front for good at 13-10.

One drive later, Lloyd connected with Buford in the end zone again. This time it was a 30-yard strike to put MSU up 20-10.

A two-yard touchdown run from Lloyd late in the third quarter put MSU up 27-10. The fourth quarter saw both teams reach the end zone one more time as MSU went on to win by the score of 34-16.

The Mavericks return home on Saturday, Oct. 4, as they host Southwest Minnesota State in their annual homecoming game. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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