SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- It came down to the wire Saturday afternoon at Kirkeby-Over Stadium but it was #1 Minnesota State that was able to come away with the 38-36 road victory over the Augustana Vikings.

With the win, MSU improves to 2-0 on the season, while AU drops to 1-1.

MSU wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as it reached the endzone after going 69 yards in 10 plays. Minnesota State's drive was capped off by a two-yard touchdown run by junior Nate Gunn. AU was able to answer right back on its opening drive of the game as it went 75 yards in eight plays to bring the score to 7-6 with 7:51 left in the first quarter. Rudolh Sinflorant finished off the drive with a five yard touchdown run.

Augustana eventually built a 20-7 as it reached the endzone on its following two possessions with 8:51 remaining in the half. Both scores came courtesy of touchdown passes from Kyle Saddler as he connected with Chet Peerenboom and Jake Welsheimer from 49 and 24 yard out, respectively.

The Mavericks forced an Augustana punt late in the second quarter and eventually took over on their own 22 yard line with 4:02 to go in the half. The MSU offense came to life behind as a 24-yard run from Gunn and a 23 yard catch from junior Shane Zylstra brought the Mavericks to the Augustana 12. Three plays later, it was Gunn who ran into the endzone from one yard out to bring the halftime score to 20-14 in favor of the Vikings.

As they did in the first quarter the Mavericks and the Vikings exchanged touchdowns on their opening drives of the second half. Augustana jump out in front 27-14 as it completed a 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 43 yard touchdown pass from Saddler to Nickel Meyers. MSU then responded with a drive that went 77 yards in 5:41 that culminated in a two yard touchdown run by Gunn to bring the score to 27-21 in favor of AU.

The Vikings managed to get three more points on their following drive after a 35-yard field goal from Luis Guarita, but the Mavericks were able to reach the endzone again in the third quarter as junior Ryan Schlichte hooked up with Zylstra on a 40 yard touchdown pass to bring the Mavericks back within two of the Vikings at 30-28.

After an Augustana punt the Mavericks once again reached scoring column as they drove 72 yards in 3:17. A 20 yard field goal from senior Casey Bednarski put the Mavericks in front 31-30 with 14:09 to go in the game. 

MSU then forced Augustana to punt again and took over with 9:18 to go on their own 11 yard line. Minnesota State's final drive of the game would shed 7:47 seconds off the clock as it went 89 yards in 16 plays. MSU's final drive saw the Mavericks convert on 4th and 17 as Schlichte hit freshman Jalen Sample with a 29 yard pass to bring MSU to the Augustana eight yard line. Two plays later, Schlichte ran into the endzone to put MSU up 38-30 with 1:31 remaining.

The final drive of the game saw Augustana work its way down field from its own 25. The drive saw Saddler complete seven passes as the Vikings made their way to the MSU one yard line with six seconds left. After an incomplete pass brought the clock down to three seconds, Saddler was able to rush into the endzone for the touchdown as time expired to bring the score to 38-36 in favor of MSU. Saddler's helmet came off on during the play so he would have to sit out on the two point conversion attempt. A delay of game penalty and a false start backed the Vikings up to their own 13. Quarterback Zach Masoli's two point conversion pass fell incomplete as MSU held on to the 38-36.

Schlichte finished the game with a career-high 332 passing yards, to go along with one touchdown pass. Zylstra led the Maverick receiving corps with seven catches for 134 yards and a touchdown, marking the fourth time in his career that he has recorded more than 100 receiving yards in a game. Junior Justin Arnold finished with four catches for 82 yards as well, while Sample finished with 59 receiving yards.  

Gunn tallied 131 rushing yards and three touchdown carries, which marks the 12th time in his career that he has rushed for more than 100 yards in a game.

Junior Jack Curtis led the Maverick defense with eight tackles, while junior Zach Robertson and senior Keyshawn Davis each tallied six. As a team, MSU allowed just 70 rushing yards.

Saddler finished his day with 451 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Meyers led the Augie receiving corps with 132 yards and a touchdown. Kyle Theis led the Augustana defense with 17 tackles.

Minnesota State returns to Blakeslee Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15, as it hosts the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.


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