SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- An explosive third quarter proved to be the difference maker Thursday evening at Bob Young Field as the Mavericks opened their season with a 54-26 win over Sioux Falls.

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

"I thought that we had a few miscues in the first half on that led to some points for them and so missed opportunities for us," head coach Todd Hoffner said. "Shen Butler Lawson had a great third quarter and couldn't have achieved what he did without his line and tight ends blocking for him.

We still have a lot of work to do and we need to make improvements from game one to game two."

The lone score of the first quarter came on MSU's second drive of the game. The Mavericks started on their own 32 and marched 68 yards down field to go up 7-0. Junior Tony Anger capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown carry to put the Mavericks in front.

The second quarter saw both teams reach the end zone twice as the Mavericks carried a 20-13 lead into halftime. MSU's two touchdowns came via a 19-yard touchdown pass from junior Hayden Ekern to junior Gabe Hagen, and a 58-yard touchdown run by junior Christian Vasser.

USF's two touchdowns in the second quarter came via a 23-yard touchdown pass from Adam Mullen to Carter Slykhuis and a 10-yard touchdown run from Camden Dean. Junior Khai West blocked the extra point after the touchdown by Dean.

In total, the Mavericks recorded 293 yards of offense in the first half, with 139 of those coming from Vasser on the ground. USF was limited to 120 yards of offense in the first half and just five first downs.

The third quarter proved to be the difference maker as the Mavericks notched four touchdowns to take a 47-26 lead over the Cougars. Three of MSU's touchdowns came courtesy of junior Shen Butler-Lawson who ran into the end zone from 37, 14 and 34 yards out. Anger record a one-yard touchdown run as well.

Butler-Lawson recorded the lone score in the fourth quarter as he raced into the end zone from 67 yards out to bring the final score to 54-26 in favor of the Mavericks.

Butler-Lawson finished his night with 221 yards and four touchdowns. His 221 rushing yards are the sixth-most in a game in team history. Vasser finished his day with 144 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Anger recorded 72 rushing yards and two touchdowns. As a unit, MSU rushed for 461 yards against the Cougars.

Ekern completed 13 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Isaiah Emanuel caught four passes for 41 yards, while Hagen caught a 19-yard touchdown pass.

Senior Trey Vaval, senior Jacob Daulton and sophomore Colton Hoffman each posted five tackles. Junior Max Lommel recorded his first career interception as well.

Minnesota State opens its home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 9, as it takes on the Wayne State Wildcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.