ABERDEEN, S.D. --- #22 Minnesota State got back to its winning ways Saturday afternoon on the road as the Mavericks bested Northern State 24-14.

With the win, MSU improves to 7-2 overall, including a 6-2 NSIC record. With the loss, NSU drops to 5-5, including a 5-4 conference record. MSU's win also ended Northern State's five-game winning streak.

"Once again I am exceptionally proud our players and coaches who defeated the hottest team in the NSIC," head coach Todd Hoffner said. "I thought our team's ability to run the ball when we wanted to was excellent.

"Defensively we made them earn their points. We denied them a field goal and had a huge stop on fourth down early in the first quarter. Causing two turnovers, while committing none ourselves, was also a key factor for us to win the football game."

The early going of the game saw the Wolves drive into the Maverick red zone on their first two possessions, but the Maverick defense held firm as they kept NSU off the scoreboard. The Mavericks stopped the Wolves on a fourth and goal on two, before NSU's kicker missed a 30-yard field goal attempt at the end of their second drive.

After the missed field goal, the Mavericks then marched 80 yards down field in 12 plays, before senior Hayden Ekern rushed up the middle for the one-yard touchdown. MSU next drive started on the NSU 35 courtesy of a fumble recovery from senior Lorenzo Jones. Three plays later, Ekern connected with junior Grant Guyett on a 25-yard touchdown pass to put MSU up 14-0 with 4:04 to go in the second quarter.

Northern State managed to get on the board via a 22-yard touchdown run from Wyatt Block, but a 46-yard kick return from junior TreShawn Watson on the following kickoff set up the Mavericks on the NSU 48. Ten plays later, Ekern notched his second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from three yards out, to put the Mavericks up 21-7 going into halftime.

Both teams managed one more score in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks came away with the 24-14 win. Junior Matthew Jaeger connected on a 30-yard field goal with 11:19 to go in the game, before Daniel Britt connected with Tanner Branson on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 9:01 to go. On their following drive, the Mavericks ensured there would be no comeback as they took nearly seven minutes off the clock before NSU could get the ball back with 2:15 remaining.

Ekern finished his day completing 16-of-21 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown. Watson led the Maverick receivers with eight catches for 82 yards, while Guyett caught two passes for 35 yards and a touchdown.

Freshman Sam Backer led MSU in rushing with 72 yards, while Ekern notched 28 rushing yards and two touchdown carries.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer led the Maverick defense with 10 tackles, while senior Cody Brown notched two sacks.

The Mavericks also won the turnover battle as senior Joey Goettl got an interception, while Jones recovered a fumble.

Minnesota State returns home on Saturday, Nov. 9, as it takes on the University of Mary. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium.