SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- The #7 Minnesota State Mavericks put forth a dominant performance on the road Saturday afternoon at #8 Sioux Falls to claim at least a share of their third straight NSIC championship with a 44-3 victory over the Cougars.

With the win, MSU improves to 9-1 on the season, including a 5-1 record in south division action. With the loss, USF falls to 8-2, including a 4-2 record in south division play.

The first half saw the Mavericks dominate the action as they scored 27 points, to go along with 297 yards of total offense. In comparison, the Cougars were held scoreless, to go along with 144 yards of total offense.

MSU got on the scoreboard with 6:50 left in the first as sophomore Nick Pieruccini completed a six-yard touchdown pass to senior Bryce Duncan to put the Mavericks up 7-0.

The Mavericks would add four more scores in the second quarter including a pair of field goals from senior Alden Haffar from 29 and 21 yards out. Pieruccini also notched his eighth rushing touchdown of the season, before connecting with junior Brent Esser on a three-yard touchdown pass.

Junior Mat Andriano led the Maverick defense in the first half with six tackles, while senior Rob Myers and sophomore Corey Brent each picked off a pass from USF quarterback Luke Papilion, with Myers' interception coming in the endzone to stop a redzone opportunity for the Cougars.

Sioux Falls got on the board with a 32-yard field goal with 8:04 left in the third, but the Mavericks would respond with a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter as Pieruccini connected with Duncan in the endzone on a three-yard strike, before Pieruccini ran in his second touchdown of the day from eight yards out with 37 seconds to go in the third frame. Haffar added his third field goal of the day in the fourth quarter to put MSU up 44-3.

MSU finished the game with 503 yards of total offense, including 387 passing yards, compared just 240 yards of offense for Sioux Falls.

Pieruccini finished his day completing 21-of-27 passes for a career-high 374 passing yards and three touchdown catches. He is the first quarterback to eclipse 300 passing yards since Jon Wolf did so against St. Cloud State during the 2013 season.

Several Maverick receivers made big contributions including Esser, who hauled in 10 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, marking the first time in his career he has passed 100 receiving yards. Dennis caught three passes for 102 yards as well, while Duncan caught four passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Virgil Hammond led the Maverick rushing attack with 95 yards, while Pieruccini posted two touchdown carries.

Andriano led the Mavericks defense with eight tackles, while Myers and junior Marcus Gooden each notched seven. MSU also came away with four turnovers as Myers, Gooden and Brent each posted an interception, while Andriano recovered a fumble.

The Mavericks wrap up their regular season scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 14, as they host the Wayne State Wildcats at Blakeslee Stadium. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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