MANKATO, Minn.. --- #1 Minnesota State wasted no time Saturday afternoon as its scored 46 points in the first half, en route to a 46-13 win over Concordia-St. Paul.
With the win, MSU improves to 3-0 on the season, including a 3-0 NSIC south division record. With the loss, CSP drops to 1-2, including a 1-2 south division record. The Mavericks have now won their last 16 NSIC contests.
The Mavericks turned in a dominate performance in the first half as they outscored the Golden Bears 46-6 before both teams went into the locker room. The Mavericks scored on all six of their first half drives, while recording two safeties. As a team, MSU tallied 409 yards of total offense in the first half, including 244 rushing yards. In comparison, CSP managed just 120 yards of total offense, including 88 passing yards.
Sophomore
Justin Taormina led the MSU rushing attack in the first half with 133 yards and touchdown, including an 83-yard touchdown run to open the scoring. Junior
Nate Gunn added 54 rushing yards and a touchdown, while junior
Ryan Schlichte recorded a pair of touchdown runs.
Sophomore
JD Ekowa led the Maverick passing attack in the first half with 101 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Shane Zylstra caught three passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in the first half, while freshman
Jalen Sample caught a 27-yard touchdown pass as well.
Senior
Keyshawn Davis and junior
Zach Robertson led the MSU defense in the first half with four tackles each. Robertson and senior
Jayme LaPlante each recorded a sack as well, with LaPlante's sack leading to MSU's second safety of the game. Sophomore
Michael Buetow also forced a sack, while junior Jack Curtis blocked CSP's lone extra point attempt.
Shaq Johnson led the CSP rushing attack with 34 yards in the first half, while Dom McKinzy led the Golden Bear passing attack with 88 yards and a touchdown pass.
The second half saw little offense, with the only score coming via a one yard touchdown run from CSP's Shaq Johnson, as the Mavericks earned the 46-13 win.
Ekowa finished his game with 133 passing yards, while Taormina ended his day with 158 rushing yards and one touchdown. Taormina's 158 rushing yards are the second most in a game during his career as a Maverick.
Robertson led the Maverick defense with seven tackles, including 1.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Junior
Jordan Bergren and sophomore
Jake Schaper each recorded a sack as well.
As a team, Minnesota State notched a total of 541 yards of offense that included 334 yards on the ground and 197 yards through the air. In comparison, the Maverick defense limited CSP to 216 yards of offense, including 132 passing yards.
Quarterback Dom McKinzy completed five passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Shaq Johnson led the CSP rushing attack with 87 yards and a touchdown. MJ Williams caught four passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Jake Portz led the Golden Bear defense with 12 tackles, while Marcus Haskins tallied seven tackles and one interception.
Minnesota State continues its season on the road on Saturday, Sept. 22, as it take on the #11 Winona State Warriors. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
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