MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State's second-half rally could not make up the difference Saturday afternoon at Blakeslee Stadium as Sioux Falls defeated the Mavericks 45-35.

With the loss, MSU drops to 5-4 on the season, while USF improves to 6-3.

The first half favored the Cougars as they built a 31-7 lead through 30 minutes of action. Both teams exchanged touchdowns early on as MSU's Charles Coleman and USF's Landon Freeman each recorded a seven-yard touchdown by the midpoint of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the Cougars put together four scoring drives before they went into the locker room with a 31-7 lead. Nick Hernandez recorded a 25-yard field goal, while Thuro Reisdorfer posted a 13-yard touchdown carry. Freeman added two more scores of his own in the second quarter, including a 69-yard touchdown run and a 58-yard touchdown catch from Adam Mullen.

The Mavericks would not go quietly however as they recorded two touchdowns to open the third quarter to pull back with 10 of the Cougars at 31-21. Senior Nyles Williams caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from senior JD Ekowa, before Ekowa recorded a four-yard touchdown run of his own. MSU would go 1-of-2 in two point conversion attempts after its two touchdowns.

The Mavericks would get no closer however as MSU and USF would each exchange two touchdowns down the stretch as the Cougars closed out the 45-35 win. Freeman notched two more rushing touchdowns down the stretch from 40 and 71 yards out, while MSU sophomore Kaleb Sleezer recorded a one-yard touchdown carry. Williams added a two-yard touchdown catch from Ekowa also.

Minnesota State finished with 473 yards of total offense, while Sioux Falls recorded 607 yards, including 370 rushing yards. Coleman led the MSU rushing attack with 69 yards, while senior Parker Gloudemans recorded 105 receiving yards. Junior Jalen Sample caught eight passes for 125 yards also.

Ekowa finished his game completing 22 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. His counterpart Mullen completed 22 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown also.

Freeman notched 213 rushing yards and four touchdown carries for the Cougars, while Reisdorfer added 149 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Senior Eli Thomas led the Maverick defense with six tackles, while junior Payton Conrad recorded three tackles and an interception.

Minnesota State continues its season on the road on Saturday, November 6, as it takes on Southwest Minnesota State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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