MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State battled with Minnesota Duluth in its home opener at Blakeslee Stadium Saturday evening, but it was the Mavericks who were able to come away with the 17-10 win.

With the win, MSU improves to 2-0 on the season, while UMD drops to 1-1.

The scoring started courtesy of junior Trey Vaval who returned UMD's first punt of the game 85 yards for the touchdown with 11:24 to go in the first quarter. UMD would get the next score nearly six minutes later as a nine-play drive ended with a 19-yard field goal from Curtis Cox to bring the score to 7-3 with 5:51 to go in the first quarter.

A fumble recovery from sophomore Maven Kretche set up the Mavericks with great field position on the UMD 25. Two plays later, freshman Mitch Randall ran into the end zone from 21 yards out to put MSU up 14-3. The lone score of the second quarter came courtesy of sophomore Damian Chowaniec as he connected on a 44-yard field goal to give MSU a 17-3 lead, which would hold until halftime.

Scoring in the second half proved hard to come by as both teams combined to force seven punts and one turnover on downs. Minnesota Duluth managed to score on its opening drive of the third quarter as the 10-play drive was capped off with a one-yard touchdown run by Kyle Walljasper to bring the Bulldogs within seven of the Mavericks at 17-10.
Neither team would reach the red zone the rest of the way as the Maverick defense held firm for the 17-10 win.

As a team, MSU tallied 202 yards of offense, compared to UMD's 229 yards. The Mavericks threw for 112 yards, while the Bulldogs managed just 61 passing. MSU held the Bulldogs to a 3-of-16 showing on third down as well.

Vaval paced the Maverick special teams as he recorded 132 punt return yards. Vaval also recorded two tackles and broke up two passes. Junior Trent Carpenter paced the Maverick defense with six tackles, while sophomores Jacob Daulton and Max Lommel each posted four. Sophomore Maven Kretche and senior Somon Anderson each recorded a sack as well.

Randall led the Maverick rushing attack with 66 yards and a touchdown. Randall also threw for 112 passing yards. Senior Jalen Sample led the Maverick receiving corps with five catches for 55 yards. Senior Nyles Williams caught two passes for 37 yards as well.

Walljasper led the UMD rushing attack with 87 yards and a touchdown, while Byron Bynum caught two passes for 35 yards. Brad Dati and Marcus Glodowski led the Bulldog defense with nine tackles each.

Minnesota State continues its season on the road on Saturday, September 17, as it takes on the Northern State Wolves. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
 
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