MANKATO, Minn. --- The incoming snowstorm had been the narrative leading into the Mavericks' quarterfinal game against the Tarleton State Texans and proved to be a massive game-changer as the second half became a whiteout and the Mavericks overcame a 10-0 deficit in the fourth quarter to win 13-10, and advance to the NCAA Division II Semi-finals.
With the win, MSU improves to 13-0 on the season, while TSU finishes its season with an 12-1 record. The Mavericks now own a 11-10 all-time record in NCAA Tournament action.
The first quarter didn't see much in the way of offense as an opening drive field goal for the Texans would account for all of the scoring in the opening frame. The Maverick defense managed to stymie the vaunted Texans run game, a sign of things to come throughout the game, but struggled to find any rhythm on offense.
Tarleton State would own the scoring in the second half as a broken coverage resulted in
Zimari Manning finding the endzone on a 67-yard pass from quarterback
Ben Holmes. After the touchdown it looked as though the Mavericks were going to be able to tighten the game, but
Nate Gunn lost the football fighting for yardage resulting in the Texans taking possession of the ball. Minnesota State forced Tarleton State to punt and had another chance to score at the end of the half before
Ryan Schlichte under-threw a ball in the endzone that linebacker
EJ Speed intercepted, allowing the Texans to kneel out the half with a 10-0 lead.
Then, winter came to Mankato, and despite the hard work of the field crew during halftime, the field was hidden under an ever-growing layer of snow.
The Mavericks' first possession ended abruptly on a
JD Ekowa interception, but the Texan's offense quickly went three-and-out. In the blustering wind and with the whiteout level snowfall, Minnesota State set out on the drive that would define the game. Pounding the ball on the inside with
Gunn, and unable to pass in the conditions, the Mavericks drove the ball 97-yards, with 27 plays, taking 12:09 minutes of the game clock and scored their first points of the game on a five-yard touchdown pass from
Schlichte to
Shane Zylstra on fourth down.
Both teams traded a pair of unsuccessful drives before Minnesota State got the ball at their own 24-yard line with 3:14 to go in the game.
Gunn proceeded to break a 36-yard run and after moving the ball into the red-zone, he changed direction on a draw after being stopped at the line and found the endzone from 11 yards out to give the Mavericks their first lead of the game at 13-10, where they failed on a two-point conversion.
As a team, the Mavericks tallied 416 yards of offense, including 350 rushing yards. The Texans managed 367 yards of offense, with 198 coming through the air.
The Maverick defense collapsed on a Texans run game that last week had gained 350 yards against defending champion Texas A&M Commerce, holding them to 169 yards on the ground.
Gunn carried the load for the Mavericks, rushing 50 times in the game for 262 yards and a touchdown. The 50 carries by a
Gunn are the most in Minnesota State history, breaking a 50-year-old record held by Maverick Hall-of-Famer Bernie Maczuga, which was 48.
Zylstra led the Maverick receivers with three catches for 30-yards and a touchdown, despite the weather conditions.
Zach Robertson led Minnesota State with eight tackles in the game including one for a loss.
Holmes led the Texans in passing, completing 10-of-26 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, and added 77 yards on six carries.
Manning finished the game as Tarleton State's leading receiver with 140 yards on five catches with a touchdown.
EJ Speed led the Texans with 17 tackles in the game and added an interception.
Minnesota State continues its season in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday Dec. 8, as it hosts #2 Ferris State at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
