MANAKTO, Minn. --- #18 Minnesota State reached the end zone seven time Saturday afternoon at Blakeslee Stadium as the Mavericks bested the University of Mary 49-21 on Senior Day.

With the win, MSU improves to 8-2, including a 7-2 NSIC record. With the loss, UMary drops to 2-8, including a 1-8 conference record.

MSU wasted no time in jumping out in front as the Mavericks scored a pair of touchdowns on their first two drives to go up 14-0. Senior Hayden Ekern connected with junior TreShawn Watson on an eight-yard touchdown pass, before Ekern capped off a 65-yard drive with a three yard touchdown carry.

UMary got the lone score of the second quarter as Jordan Polo Solomon completed a three-yard touchdown pass to Carl Henry to cut MSU's lead to 14-7. Then early in the third quarter, Mason Phillips got a strip sack in the end zone that was recovered by UMary's Josh Obisui for the touchdown to tie the score at 14-14 with 10:41 to go in the third.

Undeterred, the Mavericks would finish the game scoring touchdowns on their final five drives of the game to bring the final score to 49-21. Four different Mavericks, including freshman Carter Henderson, freshman Sam Backer, senior Christian Vasser and freshman Mitchell Thompson each recorded a rushing touchdown, while Ekern completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to junior Isaiah Emanuel.

The lone offensive score for UMary in the second half came with 7:32 remaining in the fourth quarter as Polo Solomon finished a 73-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Mujeeb Rufai.

In total, the Mavericks rushed for 251 yards, while limiting the Marauders to 72 rushing yards. Backer led the Maverick rushing attack with 93 yards, while Thompson finished with 82 rushing yards.

Ekern completed 10-of-15 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns also. Senior Tony Anger recorded 57 receiving yards, while Vasser notched 53 receiving yards.

The Maverick defense limited the Marauders to 276 yards of offense. Senior Cody Brown led the Mavericks with eight tackles, including four tackles for a loss. Senior Antonio Alzheimer notched seven tackles as well.

Senior Micah Brown, junior Nathan Drumm and sophomore Tanner Olson each recorded a sack, while sophomore Jamal Spiyee and senior Khai West each recorded an interception.

Minnesota State wraps up its regular season schedule on the road on Saturday, Nov. 16, as it takes on Minnesota Duluth. Kickoff between the Mavericks and Bulldogs is scheduled for 12 p.m.