MANKATO, Minn. --- The top-rated Minnesota State football team saw its 40-game NSIC winning streak come to an end Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium as it fell to Winona State 31-27.

With the loss, MSU falls to 7-1 on the season, including a 3-1 record in NSIC south division action. With the win, Winona State improves to 4-4 on the season, including a 2-2 record in south division play.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Mavericks were able to take the first lead of the game as senior Alden Haffar connected on a 33-yard field goal with 14:55 left in the second quarter to put MSU up 3-0.

Winona State would answer right back on its next drive as Jack Nelson threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Johnson to put WSU up 7-3. The Warriors added another touchdown with 1:54 to go in the second as Alan May caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to put the Warriors up 14-3. MSU was able to drive down field to set up a 23-yard field goal from Haffar to pull within eight of the Warriors at 14-6 as the first half came to an end.

MSU built some early momentum in the third quarter as junior Marcus Gooden intercepted a pass from Nelson, who returned the pick 32 yards to the WSU 20. One play later, junior Brent Esser threw a 20-yard pass to sophomore Ty Dennis to bring the score to 14-13.

The Maverick defense would force another turnover on Winona State's following drive as junior Alec Vesper forced a fumble, which sophomore Evan Perrizo recovered on the WSU 42. The Mavericks would then use five plays, capped off by a five-yard touchdown run from senior Chad Zastrow, to take a 20-14 lead with 9:54 left in the third quarter.

The Warriors regained the lead after Nelson threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Alan May with 12:02 left in the fourth quarter. WSU added to its lead after a 44-yard field goal from Carter McCauley.

Trailing 24-20 with 8:24 left in the game, the Mavericks answered right back as Zastrow broke a 43-yard touchdown run to put MSU in front 27-24 with 5:40 remaining. Winona State responded on its next drive as Nelson threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game, this time a 27-yard pass to Johnson, to put WSU in front 31-27.

Both teams would be forced to punt on their next possessions which set MSU up on its own two yard line with 40 seconds left. The Mavericks were able to drive down to the WSU 47, but a last second deep pass by sophomore Nick Pieruccini fell incomplete as the Warriors hung on for the 31-27 win.

As a team, the Mavericks posted 445 yards of total offense, including 263 passing yards. Winona State notched 317 yards of total offense, including 238 passing yards.

Pieruccini led the Maverick rushing attack with 106 yards, marking the second time in his career he has rushed for more than 100 yards in a game. Zastrow added 61 yards and two touchdown carries also. Both Zastrow and senior Bryce Duncan caught a team-leading five passes for 57 yards as well.

Senior Tyler Henderson led the Maverick defense with eight tackles, while senior Josh Gordon added four tackles and a sack.

The Mavericks begin a two-game road trip on Saturday, Oct. 31, as they take on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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