Box Score Grand Forks, ND – For the second straight season, the University of Mary football season ends with a loss on the last snap of the year. The University of Minnesota, Crookston scored a two-point conversion with no time on the clock to defeat the Marauders 37-36 at the Alerus Center.
 
Twice it appeared the Marauders had won the game but twice U-Mary was called for pass interference. On fourth and goal from the two-yard line, a Golden Eagle pass fell incomplete with no time remaining on the clock. However, the Marauders were called for pass interference in the end zone. On an untimed play from the one, Talo Pascal scored on an end-around to pull UMC within one point.
 
Going for two and the win, AJ Barge's pass into the end zone was knocked down. Once again the Marauders were called for pass interference. Given another play with the ball now just outside the one-yard line, Richard Haley leaped high over the line and barely reached the end zone to win the game for UMC.
 
The 2011 season ended for the Marauders when Northern State University kicked a game-winning field goal on the final play of the day.
 
Trailing by 11 points early in the third quarter, the Marauders exploded for a 20-2 run to take a lead before the end of the period.
 
Catching his second scoring pass of the game, Tyler Steffan hauled in a 19-yard scoring strike with 7:01 left in the third quarter to cap an 8-play 73-yard drive. The 30^th touchdown reception in the senior All-American's career, Steffan is just the second U-Mary receiver to reach that level.
 
UMC blocked the subsequent extra point. Paul Webster scooped up the ball and raced to the end zone for what would proved to be a pivotal two-point conversion as U-Mary closed within 29-22.
 
Colin Matthiesen forced a fumble and Mikey Ingemansen made the recovery at the UMC 29 to set up the Marauders next score. An 11-yard touchdown catch by Evan Gross evened the game for U-Mary at 29-29 at 3:48 of the third.
 
After the Marauders defense forced a three-and-out by UMC, U-Mary would take over at its own 35-yard line. Nine plays later DJ Young hauled in a 10-yard pass from Craig Bagnell in the end zone just inside the left boundary for a 36-29 lead with 25 seconds remaining in the third quarter. It was the Marauders first lead since the first quarter.
 
The Marauders defense again came up big to preserve the lead. After UMC drove to the U-Mary 10 yard line, the Marauders held the Golden Eagles out of the end zone.
 
Hoping to finish off the Golden Eagles, the Marauders moved the ball to the U-Mary 44 on nine plays. On the tenth play, disaster struck when Drew Selvestra sacked Bagnell and forced a fumble recovered by UMC's Joe Stearly at the U-Mary 38, setting up the game's winning drive.
 
Bagnell set a personal high with five touchdown passes. He completed 24-of-38 passes for 325 yards with two interceptions.
 
Steffan caught six passes for 57 yards and two scores. He finishes his career with 163 pass receptions, passing Marauders Hall of Fame member Jake Pfau (161) for second place all-time.
 
Elby Pope finished a tremendous sophomore season with five catches for 143 yards and one touchdown. The Grand Forks, ND, native returned home in spectacular fashion, catching a 77-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He finishes the season with 977 yards receiving, the fifth-best single season total in school history. Pope's 63 receptions is U-Mary's sixth best single season mark.
 
Evan Gross picked up 70 yards rushing and 27 receiving, including a score.
 
Singer was spectacular on defense for the Marauders, making a career-high 16 stops. He had 3.0 tackles for loss, including a sack shared with John Oyloe, and also broke up two passes. Scott Maldonado had 11 tackles and Troy Guptill ten with 2.0 for loss. Matthiesen ended with 1.5 tackles for loss.
 
Barge led the UMC attack with 318 yards passing, completing 26-of-36 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions. Keith McBride had nine catches for 130 yards and Josh Ross had nine for 109. Marcus Cheatham scored twice on four grabs for 79 yards. Haley ran for 87 yards.
 
Both teams ended up with 25 first downs and UMC held a slight 444-441 edge in total offense. U-Mary committed three turnovers to one for UMC.
 
The Marauders finish the season 4-7 overall and in the Northern Sun and 1-6 in the NSIC North Division. UMC finishes 2-9 and 1-6.
 
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