DULUTH, Minn. – Freshman kicker Jadon Apgar's 25-yard field goal lifted No. 24 Minnesota Duluth over No. 7 Minnesota State 17-14 at James S. Malosky Stadium Saturday afternoon in NSIC football. Apgar split the uprights as time expired, capping a 14-play, 79-yard final drive.
 
The Bulldogs held possession for 43 minutes and went 10 for 16 on third down to hand the Mavericks their first loss of 2025. UMD improved to 3-0 in front of 5,487 in attendance.
 
Minnesota State (2-1, 1-1 NSIC) travels to Jamestown (0-2, 0-2 NSIC) next on Saturday, September 20 at 1 p.m.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Mavericks stalled UMD on the 19-yard line after the Bulldogs marched 14 plays, 79 yards on their first possession of the afternoon. Apgar struck a line drive field goal from 35 yards for a 3-0 lead.
 
Brock Unger intercepted a pass intended for TreShawn Watson in double coverage, but the Mavericks seized back possession on a Jason Dandridge fumble recovery on the UMD 38-yard line. The Mavericks missed their subsequent 44-yard field goal attempt.
 
Quarterback Maximus Sims connected with Grant Guyett on the Mavericks' next drive, then found Nassir Jones for seven yards and a touchdown through the middle of the field. It was Jones' second touchdown of the season, giving MSU a 7-3 edge 4:09 into the second quarter.
 
UMD linebacker Jayce Walrath reached up for an interception with one minute left to play in the half. Then senior Edmund Ocansey nabbed his own interception for the Mavericks to preserve the lead at the break.
 
Minnesota Duluth settled for a 21-yard field goal following a 78-yard drive lasting 7:01 out of the locker room. The Bulldogs regained the lead early in the fourth quarter on their second straight 13-play drive. Jacob Eggert scampered eight yards for a touchdown with 13:55 remaining, then ran to the pylon for a two-point conversion as UMD went ahead 14-7.
 
Sims answered with a 61-yard strike to wide receiver TreShawn Watson, whose 19^th career touchdown tied Adam Thielen for fifth most on the Maverick all-time chart. Connor Fournier's extra point on Watson's fourth tally of the season tied the score 14-14. Watson finished with four receptions for 103 yards.
 
Deadlocked with two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, UMD quarterback Kyle Walljasper completed a 24-yard pass to Luke Dehnicke, setting up Apgar for the game-winning field goal as time expired. Walljasper finished with 225 yards passing and 61 yards rushing. Dehnicke led UMD receivers with 11 receptions for 141 yards.
 
Sam Backer netted 47 yards on the ground for Minnesota State. Sims threw for 137 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Mavericks converted 2-7 on third downs.