Box Score Bismarck, ND – Unfortunate errors in front of a homecoming crowd cost the University of Mary dearly in a 32-23 loss to Winona State University. The Marauders committed three turnovers that contributed to 17 points for the Warriors.

 

The loss is the first of the season for U-Mary in four games. Sitting at 3-1 overall and in the Northern Sun, the Marauders remain off to their strongest start since jumping out 4-0 in 2005. Winona State improves to 3-1 overall and in the NSIC with the win.

 

Behind the running of Rayon Simmons, the Warriors jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. After U-Mary turned the ball over on downs, Winona State started its second drive of the game from its own 28. Simmons concluded the drive with a 13-yard run into the end zone for a 6-0 advantage early in the game.

 

A fumbled punt by Elby Pope at the Marauders 27 yard line late in the opening quarter, the first of the Marauders turnovers, ended with Simmons rushing 10 yards into the endzone.

 

The Marauders answered immediately. Keyed by a 32-yard reception by Jeremy Mayfield, Craig Bagnell connected with Tyler Steffan for a 3-yard scoring strike.

 

Winona State added field goals on its next two possessions, the second coming after Chris Norgaard intercepted Bagnell at midfield.

 

Following an illegal block penalty on the kick off, the Marauders found themselves backed up at their own 12 yard line with 55 seconds left in the opening quarter. The time was 52 seconds longer than needed. Pope put U-Mary in position to score after breaking a couple tackles and racing 51 yards on a pass reception. Bagnell found Mayfield in the end zone from 27 yards out three seconds before intermission, bringing U-Mary within 19-14.

 

 

Driving the opening kickoff of the second half down the field behind a 15 yard catch by Nick Jolliffe and a 17 yard reception by Pope, a 32 yard Tyler Ryan field goal made the score 19-17 on the only points of the third quarter.

 

The Warriors regained control of the game in the final period. Simmons scored from seven yards away at 12:41.

 

The next possessions for both teams would decide the game. Sacked at his own 38, Bagnell fumbled after a hit from Tyler Kubler and Parker Detjens recovered the ball at the Marauders 30. Simmons, who became Winona State's career rushing leader earlier in the day, carried on four of six plays it took to score and push the Warriors lead to 32-17.

 

One more time the Marauders responded immediately as Bagnell drove the team down the field 65 yards in 1:38, finding Bryan Sandy in the end zone. Hoping to make it possible to even the game on a touchdown and a 2-point conversion, the Marauders extra point attempt failed, leaving the deficit at 32-23 and 6:24 left in the game.

 

Now needing two possessions for a chance to win, U-Mary didn't even get one as WSU ran off over six minutes of clock on 12 plays.

 

For the third time this season, Bagnell went over 300 yards passing, finishing 27-of-46 for 319 yards and three touchdowns.

 

Pope caught eight passed for 117 yards. Mayfilled covered 86 yards in his four receptions.

 

Dariouse Gravely, who ran for 33 yards on his first carry, carried 12 times for 62 yards.

 

Scott Maldonado paced the Marauders defense with 16 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, including a sack. John Oyloe had two sacks and Troy Guptill added two tackles for loss.

 

For the second straight game against U-Mary, Simmons scored four times. He finished with 176 yards rushing in the game.

 

Efficient throwing the ball, John Tiegland was an impressive 22-of-27 for 232 yards.

 

After four straight games against NSIC South Division squads, the Marauders open North Division play next week at Minot State University. A former conference foe of the Marauders, they have not faced the Beavers since 2005. Game time is set for 6 PM on Saturday, September 29.

 

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