MANKATO, Minn. --- It proved to be a dramatic ending for #4 Minnesota State's annual Homecoming game but it was the Mavericks who came away with the 24-21 win over MSU Moorhead after a game-winning field goal with four seconds to go in the game.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 6-0 on the season, including a 6-0 NSIC record. With the loss, the Dragons drop to 3-3, including a 2-3 conference record. The attendance of 6,851 was the third largest in program history.

After a failed Dragon onside kick to open the game the Mavericks took over on the MSU Moorhead 39. Just four plays later the Mavericks got the first touchdown of the day as junior Tony Anger forced his way into the end zone from one yard out to put the Mavericks up 6-0. MSU Moorhead answered right back on its opening drive of the game as the Dragons drove 54 yards down field to take a 7-6 lead after a four-yard touchdown pass from Jack Strand to Madden Thorson.

On their second drive of the game, the Mavericks would take up more than eight minutes as they went 74 yards in 15 plays. The drive ended with an 11-yard touchdown pass from junior Hayden Ekern to Anger. The Mavericks then converted on the two-point conversion to go up 14-7.

The Dragons would respond with two touchdown drives on their next two possessions to go up 21-14. Strand connected with Thorson on an 11-yard touchdown pass, before connecting on a one-yard touchdown pass with Gage Florence.

Then with 5:55 to go in the second quarter, the Mavericks worked their way down the field and got to the MSU Moorhead one yard line with five seconds to go. Anger then notched his second one-yard touchdown carry of the game to tie the score at 21-21 as the game went into halftime.

The third quarter saw no scoring as the Maverick defense stopped the Dragons on a fourth and goal from the MSU five, before senior Dakota Smith recovered a fumble inside the red zone on MSU Moorhead's second drive of the half. The Dragons again managed to get back to the MSU 11, but MSU Moorhead's 28-yard field goal attempt missed the mark as the game headed into the fourth still tied at 21-21.

After a blocked punt, MSU Moorhead took over on the Mavericks' 38. The Dragons managed to set up a 35-yard field goal attempt for their kicker Jacob Schroeder, but Schroeder's kick was blocked by Dakota Smith. The Maverick defense would again hold the Dragons on fourth down inside the red zone as the Mavericks took over on their own 11 with 2:59 to go in the game.

The Mavericks gradually worked their way down the field, including a 15 yard pass to sophomore Isaiah Emmanuel that bounced off of at least three players before he came down with the catch. With just eight seconds to go the Mavericks reached the MSU Moorhead 17. Minnesota State then sent in junior Matthew Jaeger who then connected on a 34-yard field goal with four seconds left to put the Mavericks up 24-21.

MSU Moorhead attempted one deep pass but it came up short as the Mavericks came away with the 24-21 win.

Ekern finished his day with 219 passing yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Grant Guyett led the Maverick receiving corps with six catches for 94 yards, while sophomore TreShawn Watson caught five passes for 45 yards.

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson rushed for 58 yards, while Anger notched two rushing touchdowns.

Junior Khai West led the team with eight tackles and two pass break ups, while junior Maven Kretche notched a pair of sacks. Smith recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal as well.
Minnesota State continues its season at home on Saturday, October 14, as it hosts Western Oregon. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.


 
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