Box Score Bismarck, ND –A 42-yard touchdown run by
Dariouse Gravely started a 38 point first half run by the University of Mary and the Marauders celebrate homecoming with a 48-10 win over Minot State University. The Marauders victory was the 100th career coaching win for
Myron Schulz. U-Mary also claimed victory in the first "Battle of the Big Lake" traveling trophy game.
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The Marauders (3-2 overall and Northern Sun overall, 1-0 NSIC North Division) took advantage of every mistake committed by the Beavers (1-4, 0-1) in the opening half of MSU's first appearance in Bismarck since 2004. U-Mary forced four turnovers in the game, placed hands on two punts and benefited from two other shanks, along with a multitude of Beavers penalties.
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Preston Tescher started the Marauders roll when the sophomore defensive back blocked a Minot State punt on the first Beavers possession of the game. Gravely immediately blasted through the right side of the line for a 42-yard touchdown on the next play to give U-Mary a 7-0 lead just 11:17 into the game.
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Minot State went three and out on its next possession and managed just a 10-yard punt. Taking over at the Beavers 47, U-Mary found the end zone in eight plays, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Gravely.
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Early in the second quarter, Beavers returner Wayne Peters fumbled a punt, recovered by Tescher at the MSU 18 yard line. On the next play,
Craig Bagnell connected with
Elby Pope in the end zone for a 21-0 lead.
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Another three and out for the Beavers was followed by a deflected punt that traveled 21 yards. Staring 36 yards away from the goal line, the Marauders hit pay dirt in two plays, an eight yard run by Gravely and a 28 yard touchdown reception in the end zone from Bagnell to
Nick Jolliffe.
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The Marauders started their next possession on their own 38 yard line, U-Mary's worst starting field position since the opening kickoff. Seven plays and 52 yards later,
Tyler Ryan booted a 27 yard field goal to boost the U-Mary advantage to 31-0 with 6:07 remaining in the half.
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As U-Mary's defense contined to dominate, the Beavers were forced to punt from their own 18 yard line. Kicking into the wind, the punt traveled just 18 yards. A personal foul on Minot State teed the ball up for the Marauders at the 21 yard line. Following a
Vince Ferrante run of five yards, Bagnell found Jolliffe in the end zone for a 38-0 U-Mary lead with 4:04 to play in the half. It was Jolliffe's eighth receiving score of the season.
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Jolliffe's second touchdown of the day punctuated a complete turnaround from a week ago when the Marauders gave up 36 straight points in a loss at Upper Iowa.
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After allowing a field goal in the third quarter, the Marauders added one more touchdown in the final quarter. DJ Dreakford picked off Zac Cuhna's pass and returned the interception 17 yards for the score and a 45-3 advantage.
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The Beavers finally found the end zone with 1:26 left in the game on a Randel Barber one yard run.
Gravely led the Marauders offensive efforts, running for 84 yards and two scores on 12 carries.
Adam Woroniecki added 38 yards on eight carries.
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Bagnell threw for 148 yards and three scores, completing 11-of-21 passes with no interceptions. Jolliffe was the primary target, catching five balls for 97 yards and two scores.
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Overall the Marauders generated 293 yards of offense and 15 first downs.
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Grant Singer led the U-Mary defensive efforts, making two tackles for loss and intercepting a pass. Danielle Whitacker had one interception and broke up two other passes.
Troy Guptill added 1.5 tackles for loss.
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One of the nation's leading teams in forcing turnovers, the Marauders intercepted three passes and recovered a fumble. The Beavers managed just 11 first downs and 243 yards of total offense. Ninety-two of the yards came in the fourth quarter.
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Barber ran for 82 yards and a score on 11 carries to lead the Beavers offensive efforts. Cunha was 16-of-37 for 131 yards with three interceptions.
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The Marauders are now 8-0 in traveling trophy games, winning the Battle for the Paddle with MSU Moorhead all seven times and defeating Minot State in the inaugural "Big Lake" trophy.
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U-Mary continues NSIC divisional play next Saturday when the Marauders visit Bemidji State University on October 12.
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