Sturdy Dragon Effort Falls Short to Mavs on Homecoming, 24-19

KVRR Staff,

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MOORHEAD, Minn. (MSUM ATHLETICS)– MSU Moorhead football would come close to pulling off another top-25 upset on Saturday afternoon in the annual Homecoming game against 15th-ranked Minnesota State. The Mavericks used a consistent rush attack to hang on for a 24-19 win over the Dragons.

In the loss, Jack Strand threw his 66th career touchdown pass, which makes the junior the program’s all-time leader.

MSUM would get the ball to start the contest and would make it to their own 48-yard line. The Dragons would opt to go for it on the fourth down and would get stood up by the Maverick defense. Minnesota State would take over on downs and hold the game’s momentum in the early going, but MSUM’s defense would turn in a stifling effort despite the field position. The Mavericks would end their drive on the MSUM 24-yard line as Minnesota State would connect on a 40-yard field goal to lead 3-0. The ensuing Dragon possession would see MSUM put together a more formidable drive as they would get to Minnesota State’s 24-yard line. MSUM would attempt a field goal, but the kick would be missed, keeping the Mavs ahead by a score.

Minnesota State would also miss a field goal on their next drive despite traveling 53 yards on five plays. The ‘bend, but don’t break’ approach for the Dragon defense helped enliven MSUM’s offense on the ensuing drive. The Dragons would move 77 yards on nine plays near the end of the first quarter to get to Minnesota State’s three-yard line. Jack Strand would suffer a shoulder injury on the previous Dragon drive, which forced the quarterback into a bulky harness. However, it offered up the chance for Fynn Ridgeway to take command in the backfield as Strand got his arm back. Ridgeway would rush for 16 yards to get MSUM close to paydirt. The first play of the second period would see Ridgeway cross the goal line for a Dragon touchdown. Although the ensuing extra point was blocked, MSUM still remained in front, 6-3.

The Dragon defense would continue its strong play as Minnesota State took over possession. Minnesota State would only run three plays as Andrew Spandiary came barreling towards Maverick quarterback Hayden Ekern on a third and five play. Ekern avoiding the sack, but threw a harsh ball that landed right into the arms of Josiah Behm. MSUM would start their drive Minnesota State’s 35-yard line and would take seven plays to get a field goal attempt. Freshman Max Watson connected on a 38-yard field goal to put MSUM in front by six points (9-3).

Minnesota State’s offense would find its rhythm on the next drive, moving 80 yards on 12 plays to score their first touchdown of the contest. Ekern rushed in from four yards out to put the Mavericks in front, 10-9. The Mavericks would stall MSUM on the next series and would score another touchdown with time waning in the first half as Minnesota State led 17-9. MSUM would respond with a needed scoring drive before halftime as the Dragons moved 62 yards on 12 plays, setting up Watson with a 33-yard attempt with two seconds remaining. Watson was true on the kick, reducing the Maverick lead to five points (17-12) at the break.

Both defenses would stiffen up to begin the second half as the teams would trade punts on the first four drives of the third quarter. Minnesota State would be the team to break the defensive struggle as they would use their ground attack to drive 60 yards on 12 plays. Ekern would rush in again to extend the Maverick lead to 24-12. The Dragons would have a wonderful chance to match the Mavericks, putting together a solid drive of their own. MSUM would go 70 yards on 13 plays just before the end of the quarter, making it to the Minnesota State five-yard line. The Dragons would be faced with a fourth down play with MSUM opting to leave their offense on the field early in the fourth quarter. Credit to the Maverick secondary, who did not provide an open look for Strand, who threw an incompletion to give the Mavericks the ball back.

Needing a defensive stop, MSUM would do its job, but not before Minnesota State ran 14 plays, racking up over six minutes of possession. Never the less, the Dragons would force a Maverick punt to regain possession midway through the frame. MSUM would go on to put together its best drive of the afternoon on that possession, moving 94 yards on 12 plays, but also taking up nearly five minutes of game clock. Strand would link up with a host of pass catchers on the drive, including Luke Imdieke, Madden Thorson, Gage Florence and Carson Elbert. The junior Elbert made a phenomenal play near the sidelines on fourth down to keep the campaign alive.

Strand’s record-breaking touchdown pass would land in the hands of Elbert with just under two minutes remaining in the game. Watson would attempt an onside kick to try to keep MSUM rolling, but the ball only traveled nine yards, despite the Dragons recovering the ball. Minnesota State would put together the necessary drive to clinch the game. Minnesota State would go for it on fourth and one, earning the first down to put the game on ice. The Mavericks were strong in the run game all afternoon, totaling 233 rushing yards and 4.5 yards per carry.

Top Dragons

Steve d’Eustachio’s Stat of the Game

Today’s loss marks the first time the Dragons lost their sixth game of a season to fall to 2-4, since dropping a 23-14 home decision to Minnesota Duluth Oct. 7, 2017.

Up Next

MSUM (2-4, 2-3 NSIC) is back to the road next Saturday in a 12 p.m. game against Concordia, St. Paul.

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