CROOKSTON, Minn. --- The No. 1 Minnesota State football team ended its northern portion of the 2015 schedule Saturday afternoon as it defeated Minnesota Crookston 63-3.

With the win, MSU improves to 4-0 on the season, while UMC falls to 0-4. MSU has now won 37 consecutive NSIC contests. The MSU defense also extended its streak to 10 quarters without giving up a touchdown.

In total, the Maverick offense notched 505 yards of total offense, including 385 yards on the ground. A trio of running backs including seniors Connor Thomas and Chad Zastrow, along with junior Virgil Hammond each rushed for more than 100 rushing yards.

Zastrow finished with 115 yards and touchdown, marking the third time in his career he has rushed for more than 100 yards. Thomas had 110 yards and two touchdown carries, marking his 13th 100-rushing yard effort, while Hammond added 112 yards and four touchdowns. Hammond is the first Maverick to rush for four touchdowns in a game since Mitch Brozovich did so during the 2013 season against Upper Iowa.

Thomas got the scoring going on MSU's second drive of the game as he tallied a one-yard touchdown run give MSU an early 7-0 lead. Thomas would see the end zone on MSU's next drive as he ran in another touchdown from 11 yards out with 14:32 left in the second quarter to put MSU up 14-0.

The MSU defense set up MSU's next scoring play after Zastrow blocked a Golden Eagle punt, before sophomore Dylan Oleszak returned it 24 yards to the UMC 36. On the next play sophomore Nick Pieruccini connected with sophomore Ty Dennis on a 36-yard touchdown pass to give the Mavericks a 21-0 lead.

MSU and UMC would then exchange field goals to wrap up the first half with the Mavericks holding a 24-3 lead. Senior Alden Haffar connected from 26 yards out, while UMC's Mike Maw hit from 21-yards out.

The second half saw the Maverick defense notch its second score of the season as senior Tyler Henderson returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown to make the score 31-3. MSU would add five more touchdowns in the second half, one of which came from a four-yard touchdown run from Zastrow, with the other four coming from touchdown runs courtesy of Hammond from six, 11, 48 and seven yards outs.

The Maverick defense tallied four takeaways against the Golden Eagles, including interceptions from Henderson, junior Mat Andriano and freshman Isaac Weber. Junior Marcus Gooden also recovered a fumble. Gooden finished the game with a team-leading eight tackles as well, while senior Kaleb Wendricks tallied a couple of sacks.

As a unit, MSU held Minnesota Crookston to just 138 yards of total offense, including 57 rushing yards.

The Mavericks open the southern portion of their 2015 slate on Saturday, Oct. 3, as they travel to Upper Iowa. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.  
                                                                    -30-