MANKATO, Minn. --- #8 Minnesota State earned its fourth win of the season Saturday afternoon as the Mavericks bested Minot State 40-6 at Blakeslee Stadium.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 4-0 on the season, including a 3-0 NSIC record. With the loss, the Beavers drop to 3-1, including a 2-1 conference record.

The Minnesota State offense shined in the first half as four of its five first-half possessions ended with touchdowns. Freshman Sam Backer scored the first touchdown of the game on a five-yard run, before senior Christian Vasser notched a four-yard touchdown run to put MSU up 12-0 with 3:03 to go in the first quarter.

The Mavericks then added two more touchdowns through the air in the second quarter to take a 26-0 lead into halftime. Junior Isaiah Emanuel caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from senior Hayden Ekern, before junior TreShawn Watson caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Ekern with :21 to go in the half.

Minot State managed to get on the board with 4:58 to go in the third quarter as Tyson Ruzicka finished an 82-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown carry to cut MSU's lead to 26-6.

The Mavericks then responded with two quick touchdowns of their own in the third quarter to go up 40-6. Watson caught his second touchdown of the game from Ekern, this time from 27 yards out, with 1:48 to go in the third quarter.

A quick interception by junior Brock Galetich set the Maverick up on the Minot 48. Three plays later, freshman Mitchell Thompson completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to junior Jeremiah Howard with :13 to go in the third to put the Mavericks up 40-6.
Neither team would score in the fourth quarter as the final score read 40-6 in favor of the Mavericks.

Ekern finished his day with 252 passing yards and three touchdowns. Watson led the Maverick receiving corps with six catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Watson has now recorded more than 100 receiving yards in three straight games. Howard and Emanuel each caught a touchdown pass, with Howard also notching 69 receiving yards.

Seven Mavericks carried the ball, including freshman Carter Henderson who led the team with 43 rushing yards. Vasser finished with 36 rushing yards, while Backer and freshman Neal May each recorded 31 rushing yards.
The Maverick defense limited Minot State to 232 yards of offense, including 40 receiving yards.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer led the defense with nine tackles, while senior Khai West, junior Karson Dunn, and sophomore Nathan Drumm each recorded five tackles.

Galetich recorded an interception, while senior Lorenzo Jones recovered a Minot State fumble. Junior Caleb Paulus posted two tackles for a loss, while senior Cody Brown and senior Micah Brown each tallied 1.5 tackles for a loss.

Minnesota State continues its season on Saturday, Sept. 28, as it travels to Concordia-St. Paul. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Sea Foam Stadium.