MANKATO, Minn. --- #5 Minnesota State kept things rolling Saturday afternoon at Blakeslee Stadium as the Mavericks bested Concordia-St. Paul 42-10 in front of 5,082 fans at Blakeslee Stadium.

With the win, MSU improves to 4-0 on the season, including a 4-0 NSIC record. With the loss, CSP drops to 1-2, including a 0-3 conference record.

The first half featured a total of seven possessions between the Mavericks and the Golden Bears, with five of them ending in points. The Mavericks scored a touchdown on all three of their possessions in the first half, while the Golden Bears scored on their first and final drive of the half.

CSP started the game with the ball and drove 58 yards in just under 11 minutes to set up a 39-yard field goal by Payton Eue to put CSP up 3-0. MSU then scored on its next three possessions to build a 21-3 lead. Junior Tony Anger capped off a 75-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown carry, before junior Hayden Ekern and junior Shen Butler-Lawson each capped of drives of the own with touchdown carries from two and three yards out.

CSP managed to cut into MSU's 21-3 lead in the closing minutes of the second half as Connor Cordts connected with Troy Ellison on a six-yard touchdown pass as time expired to bring the halftime score to 21-10.

Minnesota State's offense continued to fire on all cylinders in the third quarter as it scored a touchdown on its first two drives of the second half to go up 35-10. Butler-Lawson capped off a 65-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown carry, before junior Anthony Valainis caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Ekern.

The Mavericks added one more touchdown in the fourth quarter as Ekern connected with sophomore TreShawn Watson on a 33-yard touchdown pass to bring the final score to 42-10 in favor of MSU.

In total, the Mavericks notched 381 yards of total offense, including 264 rushing yards. CSP recorded 275 yards of offense, including 155 passing yards.

Butler-Lawson finished his day with 199 rushing yards and two touchdown carries. Ekern threw for 120 yards and two touchdowns also, while Watson led the Maverick receiving corps with three catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Jacob Daulton led the Maverick defense with seven tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, while sophomore Colton Hoffman and senior Nathan Bolton each recorded six tackles. Juniors Maven Kretche and Cody Brown each notched a sack, while senior Trey Vaval and sophomore Cayden Lovett each posted an interception.

Minnesota State continues its season on the road on Saturday, September 30, as it takes on #9 Bemidji State. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., at Chet Anderson Stadium.


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