Vince Ferrante carries the ball against Minot State
Bruce Ellison

Football Brian Larson, Sports Information Director

Marauders Dominate Both Sides of Ball in 28-14 Win Over Wolves

Box Score Aberdeen, SD – Learning a lesson from last week, the University of Mary started fast and controlled play on both sides of the ball in a 28-14 road victory over Northern State University. Vince Ferrante ran for two touchdowns and 124 yards, Craig Bagnell threw for two scores and the Marauders defense held the Wolves off the board on five straight trips inside the red zone.
 
The Marauders scored on their first two possessions of the game and led 21-7 at intermission, only allowing the Wolves to score on a block punt. U-Mary's defense held the Northern State offense without a point until the Wolves scored on the final play of the game. A week ago U-Mary fell behind 27-0 in a 48-41 loss at MSU Moorhead. 
 
U-Mary improves to 5-4 overall and in the NSIC and 3-2 in the NSIC North division. NSU falls to 3-6 and 2-3.
 
Set up by a 33-yard reception by Nick Jolliffe, Ferrante found the end zone from 9 yards out at 8:14 of the first quarter. The first of two scores on the day by the junior running back provided an early 7-0 lead for the Marauders.
 
Looking to pull even, the Wolves drove to the Marauders 3 yard line on their next possession before eventually missing a 20-yard field goal.
 
U-Mary took advantage of the missed Northern State opportunity. Taking over at their own 20 yard line, an Elby Pope 27 yard touchdown reception from Craig Bagnell capped a five play 80 yard drive to double the Marauders lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter.
 
Special teams play by the Wolves earned Northern State its first points at 8:28 of the second quarter. Blocking their second straight punt and one of three on the day, Channing Barber returned the ball 15 yards for the score to pull the Wolves within 14-7.
 
The Marauders answered just before intermission when Jolliffe hauled in a 13-yard touchdown from Bagnell with 27 seconds remaining. The touchdown is the 12th of the season for the junior wideout from Bismarck, ND.
 
After a quiet third quarter U-Mary increased its advantage to 28-7 when Ferrante bust into the end zone from 1 yard out. His second score of the day capped a four play 49 yard drive with 11:35 remaining.
 
Following five trips inside the red zone without scoring, the Wolves offense finally broke through as time expired on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Jared Jacobson to Conner Doherty.
 
Snapping both a two-game losing streak this season and avenging consecutive losses to Northern State, U-Mary held a 427 to 309 advantage in total yards. The Marauders ran for a season-high 145 yards and posted points on 3-of-5 excursions into the red zone. Unable to move the ball offensively against the U-Mary defense much of the game, Northern State totaled 135 of its yards on the Wolves final two possessions of the game.
 
The first U-Mary player to crack the century mark on the ground this season, Ferrante carried 17 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a 9-yard pass.
 
After completing eight straight passes to open the game and missing on just three of 18 attempts in the first half, Bagnell finished the day 25-of-36 for 282 yards, two scores and two interceptions. He is now one touchdown pass from tying the school career record of 73, set by Marauders Hall of Fame quarterback Chris Schwab.
 
Jolliffe finished with 87 yards and a score on five receptions. DJ Young caught six balls for 72 yards. Pope had four catches for 72 yards and a score.
 
One of the nation's leaders in sacks and tackles for loss, the Marauders caught the Wolves quarterback behind the line just once in the game. The lone sack was memorable as John Oyloe corralled Jacobson for a 6-yard loss in the fourth quarter, forcing the Wolves to punt and leading to U-Mary's final touchdown. Oyloe is now the U-Mary career leader in tackles for loss with 39, edging past Brooks Laber (2001-05) with 38.5.
 
Oyloe also tied Jason Aman (1991-95) for second all-time in Marauders history in sacks with 26. The record of 30 is held by David St. Clair (1998-99).
 
Northern Sun tackles leader Grant Singer ended the day with a team-high eight stops and a pass break-up. Preston Tescher posted six stops, intercepted a pass, broke up two throws and had a tackle behind the line. Maceo Brown also intercepted a pass for the Marauders.  
 
 Jacobson, who threw for 422 yards and three scores in a Wolves win over the Marauders last year and ran for 180 in a 2011 Northern State win over U-Mary, was limited to 45 yards rushing and 167 yards through the air. The junior was just 22-of-47 with two interceptions.
 
The Marauders close out the 2013 season with two home games. U-Mary next faces #6 Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, November 9, at 1 PM at the MDU Resources Bowl.
 
#marauders#
Print Friendly Version