MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State got back to its winning ways Saturday afternoon at Blakeslee Stadium as the Mavericks defeated Upper Iowa 43-20.

With the win, MSU improves to 5-2 on the season, including a 1-1 NSIC South Division record. With the loss, UIU drops to 0-7, including a 0-2 south division record.

The first half saw the Mavericks build a 33-7 leads as both teams went into the locker room for halftime. As a team, MSU tallied 237 yards of offense in the half, including 140 rushing yards.

Sophomore Hayden Ekern recorded two touchdown carries of nine and 13 yards, while senior Nyles Williams notched a nine yard touchdown run. Junior Shen Butler-Lawson recorded a 17-yard touchdown carry as well. Freshman Matthew Jaeger connected on a 40-yard field goal as well, while the Maverick special teams forced a safety after a blocked punt by freshman Karson Dunn.
UIU's lone score of the first half came via a 20-yard touchdown pass from Darryl Overstreet Jr. to Isaiah Gray.

The Mavericks scored twice in the second half, including a 75-yard touchdown run by Butler-Lawson, and a 38-yard field goal by sophomore Damian Chowaniec. Upper Iowa scored two touchdowns in the second half via a pair of touchdown passes from Overstreet Jr. as he connected with Cole Ewald on a 15-yard touchdown pass and with Jay Ford on a 25-yard touchdown pass.

As a unit, Minnesota State notched 455 yards of total offense, including 285 rushing yards. Butler-Lawson led the Mavericks with 92 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Ekern notched 76 yards and two touchdowns.

Freshman Camden Dean threw for 103 yards, while freshman Isaiah Emanuel led the receiving corps with two catches for 39 yards.

Sophomore Joey Goettl led the Maverick defense with six tackles, while senior Chance Bowen, junior Trent Carpenter and sophomore Jacob Daulton each recorded a sack. As a unit, the Maverick defense limited Upper Iowa to 289 yards of offense, including 34 rushing yards.

Minnesota State begins a two-game road trip on Saturday, October 22, as it takes on the Augustana Vikings. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.