MANKATO, Minn. --- The #13 Minnesota State football team got back to its winning ways Saturday afternoon at Blakeslee Stadium as the Mavericks bested Southwest Minnesota State 30-12.

With the win, MSU improves to 8-1 on the season, including a 7-1 NSIC record. With the loss, SMSU drops to 1-8, including a 1-7 conference record.

"The defensive crew did a phenomenal job of holding them to 12 points," head coach Todd Hoffner said. It was definitely an impressive day."

The lone score of the first quarter came from the Mustangs. With 4:55 to go in the opening quarter, Carter Dicker connected on a 31-yard field goal to put SMSU up 3-0. MSU would respond on the following drive as they drove 60 yards on 12 plays, including a three-yard touchdown run by junior Christian Vasser to put the Mavericks up 7-3 with 14:17 to go in the second quarter.

The Mavericks would add two more scores in the second quarter to go up 16-3. Junior Matthew Jaeger capped off a Maverick drive with a 33-yard field goal, before sophomore Grant Guyett caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from junior Hayden Ekern.

SMSU was able to cut into MSU's 16-3 lead in the closing seconds of the second quarter as Dicker connected on his second field goal of the game, this time from 38 yards out, to bring the score to 16-6 before the game went into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Mavericks reached the end zone on their second drive as junior Shen Butler-Lawson finished an 89-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown catch to put MSU up 23-6. MSU would then put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter as sophomore Isaiah Emanuel caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ekern to put MSU up 30-6 with 9:28 to go in the game.

SMSU managed to get its first touchdown of the game with 4:41 to go as Marcus Martin finished an 83-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run to bring the final score to 30-12.

Butler-Lawson finished his day with 115 rushing yards, to go with one touchdown catch. He has now rushed for 1,180 yards this season. Ekern finished his day with 207 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Emanuel led the Maverick receiving corps with six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Dakota Smith led the Maverick defense with seven tackles, while junior Maven Kretche notched four tackles, to go along with two sacks. Junior Joey Goettl and sophomore Brock Galetich each recorded an interception also.

Minnesota State wraps up its regular season road schedule on Saturday, Nov. 4, as it travels to Winona State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.