SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The No. 4 Minnesota State football team defeated University of Sioux Falls 28-14 on Saturday on a cool and rainy day for USF's Homecoming. The win included a 14-play, a season-long, 97-yard touchdown drive that began late in the third quarter and ended early in the fourth as the Mavericks sealed the victory, outscoring USF 15-7 in the final frame.
In a hard-fought game throughout, the Mavericks found a way to get the win and improve to 5-0 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. MSU now is the only undefeated team in league play as MSU Moorhead knocked off No. 13 Minnesota Duluth in overtime knocking the Bulldogs from the ranks of the unbeatens in league play. Sioux Falls saw its three-game winning streak come to an end as MSU improved to 12-4 all-time against USF and a perfect 8-0 in Sioux Falls.
The win gave head coach
Todd Hoffner his 157
th victory at MSU (157-41), while he won his 199
th game of his career (199-69) in his 24
th season of coaching overall.
The Mavericks outgained Sioux Falls 100-37 in the first quarter, converting three of four third downs and holding Sioux Falls without a completion on four pass attempts. Junior quarterback
Mitchell Thompson's 41-yard run helped set up his 6-yard touchdown run, and the Mavericks led 7-0 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Mavericks' defense produced the scoring with two interceptions for 104 return yards, including senior
Jamal Spiyee's 69-yard touchdown return, while also recording a sack and two tackles for loss as a team in the quarter.
Spiyee finished the game with three solo tackles. Sioux Falls controlled more of the second quarter statistically with 71 rushing yards, 56 passing yards, seven first downs and 10:37 of possession, then scored on a 19-yard touchdown pass with 1:00 left to outscore the Mavericks 7-6 in the quarter, but the Mavericks held a 13-7 lead at halftime.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but the Mavericks held a 97-24 total-yardage edge with 66 rushing yards and six first downs to Sioux Falls' two. The defense limited Sioux Falls to six rushing yards, including junior
Ian Burau's 7-yard sack on third down, and the Mavericks ended the quarter at the Sioux Falls 20 after starting their final possession of the frame at their own 3.
The Mavericks outscored Sioux Falls 15-7 in the fourth quarter and finished with the 28-14 win, with Thompson and junior
Sam Backer accounting for rushing touchdowns and the offense converting both third-down chances. Sioux Falls generated 90 passing yards and went 2-for-2 on fourth down in the quarter, but the Mavericks forced two turnovers in the last three minutes, turning junior
Cade Stingle's fumble recovery at the Sioux Falls 5 into Backer's 5-yard score before senior
Amaun Williams intercepted a pass at the MSU goal line for a touchback.
Mitchell Thompson rushed for a career-high 104 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Sophomore
Connor Stauff caught four passes for 72 yards to lead the team. Backer added 63 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Junior
Saieed Hasan led the Mavericks with seven tackles.
Beau Giblin recorded nine tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble for the Cougars, while quarterback Bennett Brueck completed 13 of 29 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns, rushed 16 times for 80 yards and was intercepted three times. Todd Benedict caught six passes for 84 yards. Caden Henkes added three receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns.
The Mavericks improved to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play. Sioux Falls fell to 3-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
Up next, the Mavericks hosts Concordia-St. Paul at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Blakeslee Stadium in Mankato, Minn., for Homecoming 2026.
