SIOUX FALLS, S.D. —- Minnesota State picked up its third straight win Saturday afternoon as it bested #19 Sioux Falls 38-24 on the road.
With the win, MSU improves to 7-2, including a 3-1 NSIC South Division record. With the loss, USF drops to 7-2, including a 2-2 division record.
The Mavericks scored three touchdowns in the first quarter to build an early 21-7 lead. Sophomore Hayden Ekern connected with senior Nyles Williams on a seven-yard touchdown pass, before junior Shen Butler-Lawson notched a 19-yard touchdown run of his own. Ekern added a four-yard touchdown run in the first quarter as well.
The Cougars reached the end zone on the opening drive of the game as Jacqueze Lockett recorded a 19-yard touchdown run.
Both teams would score twice in the second quarter as the Mavericks took a 31-21 lead into halftime. Ekern notched a one-yard touchdown run, before sophomore Damian Chowaniec connected on a 32-yard field goal. USF's two touchdowns came via a four-yard touchdown run from Thuro Reisdorfer and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Adam Mullen to Hunter Schneider.
The lone score in the third quarter came via a 27-yard field goal from USF's Nick Hernandez that brought the score to 31-24.
The finals score of the game came early in the fourth quarter as Ekern connected with sophomore Landon Strong on a 38-yard touchdown pass to put MSU up 38-24 with 12:10 remaining. Both defenses would hold firm the rest of the way as the Mavericks claimed the 38-24 win.
Ekern threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore DJ Barber led the Maverick receiving corps with 75 receiving yards, while Williams and Strong each caught a touchdown pass.
Butler-Lawson notched 103 rushing yards and a touchdown, marking the third time this season he has rushed for more than 100 yards in a game. Ekern notched two rushing touchdowns also.
Junior Trent Carpenter led the Maverick defense with 10 tackles, while junior Dakota Smith recorded an interception. Senior Chance Bowen, and sophomores Antonio Alzheimer and Jacob Daulton, each recorded a sack.
Minnesota State returns to Blakeslee Stadium on Saturday, November 5, as it takes on Southwest Minnesota State. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
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