Box Score Bismarck, ND – For the seventh straight year, the University of Mary has won the “Battle for the Paddle.” A tremendous effort by the Marauders defense combined with the return of quarterback Craig Bagnell led U-Mary to a 23-7 victory over visiting MSU Moorhead.
 
The win snapped a four game losing streak for the Marauders, who even their record at 4-4 overall and in the NSIC and 1-3 in the NSIC North. The Dragons fall to 1-7 and 1-3.

John Oyloe and Grant Singer led a defensive charge that allowed just 225 yards to the Dragons. Oyloe had three tackles for loss, two sacks and knocked down two passes. The junior defensive end from Williston, ND, also led U-Mary with 10 tackles.
A sophomore linebacker, Singer had a game-high 3.5 tackles for loss.  He also had a sack, recovered a fumble and made eight tackles.
 
The Marauders opened the scoring early in the first quarter following an error by the Dragons. The MSUM center snapped the ball over the head of quarterback Jake Hodge. The first of at least three poor snaps in the game that proved costly to MSUM, Mikey Ingemansen recovered the ball at the Dragons 12. Four plays later Dariouse Gravely scored from two yards out for a 7-0 Marauders lead.
 
Following a fourth down stop by Nick Giannosa and Singer on the subsequent possession by the Dragons, the Marauders took over at their own 32 yard line. Nick Jolliffe hauled in a 5-yard scoring strike in the right corner of the end zone, making a spectacular catch on the throw from Bagnell to double U-Mary's lead to 14-0 with 3:47 left in the first quarter.
 
The Dragons would get on the board in the second quarter when Hodge connected with Adam Jiskra from three yards out, cutting the Marauders lead to 14-7.
 
Immediately the Marauders responded, driving 85 yards in eight plays. Set up by receptions of 35 and 16 yards by Tyler Steffan, Gravely ran 17 yards to finish the drive. Entering intermission U-Mary led 21-7.
 
The Marauders defense took over in the second half, keeping the Dragons off the scoreboard. U-Mary punter Tyler Ryan played a big role in pinning MSUM deep, placing four punts inside the 20 yard line in the second half.
 
U-Mary closed the scoring with a safety. With the Dragons on their own 12 yard line in punt formation, the center snap sailed over the punter and through the end zone, increasing the U-Mary advantage to 23-7.
 
Steffan caught four passes for 80 yards to pace the Marauders offense, Evan Gross ran for 47 yards and Gravely chipped in 42 with the two scores.
 
After missing three games due to injury, Bagnell was 15-of-26 for 189 yards, one score and one touchdown.
 
The Marauders totaled 274 yards of offense in the game.
 
Ryan averaged 41.2 yards per punt on nine attempts, downing five punts inside the 20 yard line. The only punt return for the Dragons lost four yards. Ryan also had three touchbacks on four kickoffs.
 
In addition to his fumble recovery, Ingemansen also forced a fumble, had a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
 
Hodge was 19-of-38 for 202 yards and a score but was sacked four times. Jiskra caught five passes for 61 yards and a score.
 
The Marauders close out the home schedule on October 27 against Northern State University.
 
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