Box Score Moorhead, MN - Another four touchdown performance by
Tyler Steffan and record-setting offensive outburst by the University of Mary ensured the Paddle Trophy would return once again to Bismarck, ND. The Marauders generated 683 yards of offense to decimate Minnesota State University Moorhead 52-13 to capture the sixth annual Battle for the Paddle for the sixth straight year.
Just two weeks after tying the school record for touchdowns scored and setting the mark for touchdown receptions in a single contest against Minnesota Duluth, Steffan turned the trick once again. The reigning NSIC Offensive Player of the Week caught scoring strikes of 20, 24, one and eight yards from Craig Bagnell.
Steffan, who scored the first three touchdowns of the game and finished with nine catches for 123 yards, now has 11 touchdowns in his last three games and has 14 on the season. This is his third straight game cracking the century barrier for yardage and the fifth time this season.
The Marauders offense was far from one-dimensional on this record-setting day. Josh Murray ran for 216 yards on only 16 carries and scored three touchdowns. He traversed the field on scoring runs of one, 48 and 65 yards, all in the third quarter as the Marauders pulled away from the Dragons. This is the second straight game Murray has hit triple digits on the ground and third time this season. He had now scored 11 touchdowns on the year and has run for 800 yards.
For the first time in his career, Evan Gross also exceeded the century mark. The sophomore gained 107 yards on 15 carries with a long run of 33 yards.
Almost an afterthought, Bagnell threw for 319 yards while completing 24-of-35 pass attempts for four scores. He threw one interception, only his third this season and the first for U-Mary in the past six games.
The Marauders ran for a season-high 364 yards and passed for 319. The 683 yards of offense surpasses the 638 posted against Valley City State University in 1993.
Defensively, U-Mary held the Dragons to 259 yards and only 3.3 yards per game.
In a 49-21 thrashing of then-nationally-ranked Bemidji State last week, the Marauders didn't commit a single penalty or turn the ball over once. Today was a complete 180. U-Mary committed a season-high four turnovers, all in the first half, and were flagged 12 times for 137 yards.
Despite the numerous mistakes, the Marauders led 21-6 at intermission. The Dragons would score on the opening possession of the second half to pull within 21-13 despite a huge yardage advantage for the Marauders. U-Mary then stopped making mistakes and posted 31 straight points in the third quarter to run away with the Northern Sun win.
Murray scored from one yard out to cap a 72 yard drive to increase the Marauders lead to 28-13. Steffan would catch an 8-yard touchdown pass from Bagnell before Murray stole the show.
The next two possessions for the Marauders were one play touchdown drives. First Murray busted 48 yards for a score. He followed up with a 65 yard run less than two minutes later.
A 26 yard Tyler Ryan field goal as time expired on the third quarter ended the Marauders scoring for the day. The 52 points was the most for U-Mary in a single game since posting 52 against Minnesota Crookston in 2008.
Marcus Broome led the Marauders defense with two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and 13 total tackles. DeShon Benton added 11 tackles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. Arthur Pittman had U-Mary's only interception.
Senior team captain Brady Martin cracked the 100 career catch mark in the game, snaring five balls for 83 yards. Bryan Sandy caught four balls for 53 yards.
Kevin Koch passes for 177 yards and two scores and ran for 43 yards to lead the Dragons offense. Kendall Hendon caught nine passes for 84 yards and a score. Defensively, Zack Askelson tallied 13 tackles.
U-Mary improved to 5-4 overall, 4-4 in the NSIC and 3-2 in the NSIC North. MSUM falls to 2-7 and 1-7.
The Marauders play their final home game of the season next Saturday when U-Mary hosts Winona State University on November 5 at 2:30 PM.
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