INDIANAPOLIS – The Minnesota State football team downed two ranked opponents on the road to begin a memorable NCAA playoff run last fall, and they did it again on Saturday, with a 35-27 victory over No. 8 ranked Indianapolis at Key Stadium. Senior Edmund Ocansey (Champlin, Minn.) intercepted Gavin Sukup's pass on the final drive and the Mavericks kneeled the football to advance to the NCAA Third Round, set for Saturday, December 6 at Noon CT at No. 1 Ferris State. MSU previously upset No. 12 Findlay last week in the opening round 37-14.
 
Minnesota State (10-3, 7-3 NSIC) outscored UIndy (11-2, 8-0 GLVC) 14-0 in the second quarter in the first ever meeting between non-conference foes. Sophomore quarterback Mitchell Thompson (Kewaunee, Wis.) led the offense with 18 completions on 28 attempts for two touchdowns and 159 yards. Sam Backer was also a difference maker on the ground, with 116 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns on 21 attempts.
 
Backer's 28-yard run and score with 1:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, plus an extra point from sophomore Connor Fournier gave the Mavericks an eight-point lead late. Lining up in the shotgun, Sukup led the Greyhounds across midfield, but Marcus Hansen's sack helped burn seconds off the clock. Garrett Sherell and Derrick Alonso caught successive passes before Ocansey grabbed his second interception of the season at the MSU 32-yard line for the Mavericks. Kobe Jenkins also helped MSU with an interception at the 4:46 mark of the third quarter.
 
On offense, seven different receivers contributed for Minnesota State. Backer finished with six receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. Hudson Dillon also posted three catches for 28 yards and a touchdown.
 
UIndy made headway on the ground. Juseters Fataki netted 122 yards on 10 rushes. Derrick also caught four passes for 63 yards through the air.

"Sam Backer cashed in on three touchdowns," said head coach Todd Hoffner. "Edmund Ocansey got the game-winning interception, which was huge. I thought the defense came up big. We blocked a field goal and Kobe came up with an interception in the end zone and denied them points on a halfback sweep. I'm really proud of our coaches for what they did. Defense was out there all day and came up big against an explosive UIndy offense."
 
The Mavericks improved to 5-2 on the road this season under 15^th year head coach Todd Hoffner. Hoffner has led the team to 11 NCAA appearances and two NCAA Championship games (2014, 2019). To get back to the title game, MSU will need to best the undefeated Bulldogs (13-0) on the road next week, then prevail in the National Semifinals on December 13. Ferris State defeated Ashland 56-24 on Saturday in the second round.