Box Score BEMIDJI, Minn. --- It came down to the closing minutes Thursday evening on the road, but it was Minnesota State that came away with the 37-34 win over #22 Bemidji State.

With the win, MSU improves to 1-0, while BSU drops to 0-1.

The first quarter saw both teams reach the end zone twice as they were tied 13-13. MSU's first score of the game was set up by a muffed punt from BSU that put the Mavericks on the BSU two yard line. Sophomore Hayden Ekern eventually ran into the end zone from seven yards out. The Mavericks would add their second touchdown of the game with just over a minute to go in the quarter as Ekern connected with senior Jalen Sample on a 22-yard touchdown pass. BSU's Brandon Alt connected with Booker Sage and Dhel Duncan-Busby for 66 and 11 yard touchdown passes, respectively, for their two scores.

The second quarter proved to be all Minnesota State as it took advantage of three turnovers to go up 30-13 at halftime. Senior Alijah McGhee forced a fumble and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown to put MSU up 20-13. An interception by sophomore Jacob Daulton set up the Mavericks on the BSU 21 with 3:25 to go. Six plays later, sophomore Matthew Jaeger connected on a 25-yard field goal to put MSU up 23-13. With less than a minute to go in the second quarter, McGhee struck again as he returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown to give the Mavericks a 30-13 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Beavers would answer with 21 consecutive points to take a 34-30 lead with 8:57 to go in the game. Alt connected on a pair of touchdown passes with Booker and Brendan Beaulieu in the third quarter, before a four-yard touchdown run from Booker put the Beavers up 34-20 with 8:57 to go. Both teams would be forced to punt on their next possessions before MSU took over on its own 15 with 3:15 to go in the game.

The Mavericks then marched 85 yards down field in nine plays, including a 17-yard touchdown pass from freshman Mitch Randall Sample to put MSU back in front 37-34 with 1:38 to go. Randall completed five passes during MSU's final scoring drive, including a 32-yard pass to Sample on a 4th and 16 from the BSU 49.

An interception by senior Nic Vinson on BSU's following drive ended any thoughts of a Beaver comeback as Minnesota State claimed the 37-34 win.

McGhee led the Maverick defense with 10 tackles, to go along with a fumble recovery and an interception, that he both returned for touchdowns. Sophomore Terrell Hall recorded eight tackles as well, while Daulton and Vinson each recorded an interception. As a unit, the Mavericks notched five turnovers.

Randall completed 10 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, while Ekern tallied 101 passing yards and a touchdown. Sample led the Maverick receiving corps with six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore DJ Barber caught six passes for 60 yards.

As a team, MSU recorded 330 yards of offense, including 236 passing yards. The Mavericks also went 3-of-4 on fourth down attempts

Minnesota State opens its home schedule on Saturday, September 10, as it takes on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.