MANKATO, Minn. --- The #6 Minnesota State football team closed out its regular season schedule with a convincing 42-14 victory over the Wayne State Wildcats at Blakeslee Stadium.

With the win, MSU locked down its third straight NSIC Championship with a 10-1 record. With the loss, WSC finished its season with a 4-7 overall record. A total of 3,341 fans attended MSU's win over Wayne State bringing, MSU's season average to 5,174 fans per game.

In total, MSU posted 518 yards of total offense against the Wildcats in its win Saturday afternoon, while holding WSC to just 265 yards. MSU featured a balanced attack with 257 yards on the ground and 261 yards through the air. Junior Ricky Lloyd finished the game completing 18-of-26 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior Chad Zastrow finished the game with a game-high 98 rushing yards, with junior Virgil Hammond following with 86 rushing yards and two touchdown carries.

A total of six Mavericks caught at least one pass, including junior Brent Esserwho caught five passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

MSU jumped out the a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter as Lloyd threw a pair of touchdown passes to junior Taylor Johnson and Esser. The tandem of Lloyd and Esser would reach pay dirt once again in the second quarter as Lloyd connected with Esser on a 22-yard touchdown pass to put the Mavericks up 21-0 heading into halftime.

Lloyd showcase his speed in MSU's opening drive of the third quarter as he ran 64 yards for a touchdown to put MSU up 28-0 with just under 13 minutes to play in the third quarter.

Leading 28-0 heading into the fourth quarter, the Mavericks and Wildcats would each notch a pair of touchdowns to bring the final score to 42-14. Hammond posted pair of touchdown runs from 47 and 14 yards out. For Wayne State, Taylor Reedy connected with Marcel Dunson on a three yard touchdown pass, before Houston Huss scored on a one-yard touchdown run.

Sophomore Brendan Chrystal led the Mavericks defense with seven tackles, while sophomore Corey Brent notched six tackles and an interception.

As a unit, the Maverick defense broke up six passes, and tallied three tackles for a loss, while limiting the WSC rushing attack to 134 yards.

Minnesota State will learn its NCAA Tournament fate at the NCAA Selection on Sunday, at 4:00 p.m., on NCAA.com. A viewing party will be held in room TC80 on the lower level of Taylor Center Sunday afternoon beginning at 3:30 p.m.



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