SIOUX FALLS, S.D. —- Minnesota State earned its sixth win of the season Saturday afternoon on the road as it defeated #21 Augustana 35-14.

With the win, MSU improves to 6-2 on the season, including a 2-1 NSIC South Division record. With the loss, AU drops to 6-2, including a 2-2 south division record.

The first half saw the Mavericks build a 21-0 lead as junior Shen Butler-Lawson recorded three touchdown runs within the first 18 minutes of the game. Augustana managed to get on the scoreboard with 5:06 left in the second quarter as Casey Bauman hooked up with Jack Fisher on a 34-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 21-7 before the game went into halftime.

The Mavericks added two more touchdowns in the third quarter to go up 35-7. Sophomore Hayden Ekern notched a 10-yard touchdown run, before senior Somon Anderson returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown.

Augustana managed to reach the end zone in the final seconds of the fourth quarter as Thomas Scholton connected with Devon Jones on a two-yard touchdown pass to bring the final score to 35-14.

As a team, the Maverick defense held AU to 228 yards of offense, including just two rushing yards. As a unit, MSU recorded seven sacks with juniors Nathan Bolton and Max Dahm each recording two sacks each. Anderson posted two interceptions as well, while senior Alijah McGhee and junior Trent Carpenter each notched a team-leading seven tackles.

Ekern posted 199 passing yards, to go along with 63 rushing yards and a touchdown. Butler-Lawson recorded three rushing touchdowns and 54 rushing yards also.

Sophomore DJ Barber led the Maverick receivers with 69 receiving yards, while freshman Grant Guyett tallied 67 receiving yards.

Minnesota State concludes its two-game road trip on Saturday, October 29, as it takes on #11 Sioux Falls. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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