MANKATO, Minn. --- #1 Minnesota State saw its playoff run come to an end Saturday evening at Blakeslee Stadium as it fell to #2 Ferris State 42-25 in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.

MSU finishes its season with a 13-1 record, while FSU improves to 15-0. Ferris State will take on Valdosta State in the NCAA Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 15, in McKinney, Texas.

As a unit, the Mavericks posted 469 yards of offense against the Bulldogs, including 286 receiving yards. MSU threw a season-high 48 passes, while posting 183 rushing yards as well. FSU tallied 457 yards of offense, including 251 through the air and 206 on the ground.

The first half saw most of the game's scoring as Ferris State was able to carry a 21-19 lead into the locker room. 

The Mavericks scored twice in the first quarter, first off a three yard touchdown run from sophomore JD Ekowa, and a 22-yard field goal from senior Casey Bednarski. Ferris State was able to reach the end zone twice in the first quarter, which included a 40-yard touchdown run from Marvin Campbell and a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jayru Campbell to Malik Taylor.

FSU added another touchdown early in the second quarter to go up 21-10. The Bulldogs appeared to be taking a double-digit lead into halftime, but the Mavericks were able to get nine points in the final minute to close the gap to 21-19. Junior Ryan Schlichte connected with junior Justin Arnold on a 27-yard touchdown pass, before Bednarski connected on a 41-yard field goal as time expired in the half. Bednarski's extra point try after Arnold's touchdown catch was blocked.

Neither offense was able to reach the scoreboard early in the third quarter as each team's first three drives in the quarter ended with punts.

Ferris State then took over on its own seven yard line with 4:39 to go in the third quarter and was finally able to break through as Dion Earls caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Jayru Campbell to put FSU up 28-19.

The Mavericks were able to respond on their next drive as they went 75 yards in 12 plays, which included a one-yard touchdown run from junior Nate Gunn, to bring the score to 28-25 with just over 12 minutes to play. 

Holding a three point lead with 12:02 to go, Ferris State then went on a 13-play, 73-yard drive, that culminated in a one yard touchdown run from Marvin Campbell to go up 35-25 with just over five minutes to play. A strip sack by FSU's Austin Edwards on MSU's following drive, gave the Bulldogs the ball on the MSU 19, before Derrick Portis locked down the game for FSU with a 19-yard touchdown run to bring the final score to 42-25.

Junior Nate Gunn finished with 149 yards and one touchdown carry, marking the ninth time this season that he has posted 100 rushing yards or more in a game. Junior Shane Zylstra led the Maverick receiving corps with nine catches for 178 yards, while junior Justin Arnold caught three passes for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore JD Ekowa completed nine passes for 172 yards, while junior Ryan Schlichte completed nine passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. Ekowa also tallied 24 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Both junior Zach Robertson and sophomore Cade Johnson led the MSU defense with eight tackles each. Robertson also posted 1.5 tackles for a loss and one sack.

Jayru Campbell completed 16-of-25 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a team-leading 103 yards.

Marvin Campbell tallied 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Derrick Portis and Sy Barnett each tallied one rushing touchdown. Barnett also led the Bulldog receiving corps with four catches for 91 yards. Both Dion Earls and Malik Taylor caught a touchdown pass.

Austin Edwards led the Ferris State defense with 10 tackles and a sack. On the sack, he forced a fumble that was recovered by FSU in the closing minutes of the game. Sam Girodat and Delon Stephenson each recovered a fumble, while DeShaun Thrower recorded an interception.


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