MINOT, N.D. – The Battle of the Big Lake lived up to its name when the University of Mary narrowly held on to a 31-29 win at Minot State University. The Marauders recovered a Beavers fumble in the visitor's red zone with 14 seconds left in the game to preserve the win and retain the Big Lake Trophy.
 
In a game featuring multiple double-digit scoring runs by both teams, Minot State drove the ball from its own 27-yard line down to the Marauders 5 with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game. Already in field goal position, the Beavers went to the pass but a fierce rush by Marauders linebacker Seth Walton knocked the ball loose from MSU quarterback Zach Cunha's hand. U-Mary All-American linebacker Grant Singer outran everyone to the loose ball for the fumble recovery to ensure the Marauders win.
 
Singer was around the ball all night for the Marauders, posting 13 tackles, including 11 solo stops, and 2.5 tackles for loss. The Northern Sun's leading tackler has reached double digits in tackles every game this season and the past eight in a row.
 
U-Mary evens its record at 3-3 overall and in the Northern Sun and 1-1 in the NSIC North Division. Minot State falls to 0-6 and 0-2.
 
The Marauders owned the first half, entering intermission ahead 14-0 on two scoring runs by Ben Jolliffe. Jolliffe's first touchdown run, a 4-yard run in the opening quarter, was set up by a 51-yard Elby Pope to Nick Jolliffe pass.
 
Jacob Turner's 40-yard interception return in the second quarter led to Jolliffe's second scoring run, a 9-yard race to the end zone.
 
Minot State exploded for 22 points in the third quarter with Cunha hitting Leon La Deaux for touchdown passes on the first two Beavers possessions of the second half. The first scoring strike covered 51 yards, the second 13.
 
The Beavers gained their first lead of the game on the Marauders first play after La Deaux's second score. Bryce Broome stepped in front of a Ben Jolliffe pass and returned the pick 29 yards for the score. The Marauders blocked the point after kick attempt, but Beavers lineman Dalton Houghton scooped up the ball behind the line of scrimmage and ran into the end zone for a two-point conversion and a 22-14 lead.
 
The Marauders responded with an eight-play 80-yard touchdown drive. Using a 41- yard run by Ben Jolliffe and a 17-yard reception by Pope, Dariouse Gravely pulled the Marauders within 22-20 on a 3-yard run with 2:29 left in the third quarter.
 
The nation's leader in punt return average, Pope set up the Marauders go-ahead score with a 31-yard punt return to the Beavers 33 yard line. The Marauders reached the end zone in just five plays when Ben Jolliffe found older brother and all-conference wide receiver Nick Jolliffe for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Pope caught the two-point conversion pass attempt and U-Mary forged ahead 28-22 at the 14:10 mark of the fourth quarter.
 
Pope set up the final Marauders points when he recovered a fumbled Beavers punt at the Minot State 34. Brody Riggs kicked a 26-yard field goal seven play later to increase the Marauders lead to 31-22.
 
Refusing to fade away, Minot State drove the ensuing kickoff 75 yards, capped by a Glyn Borel touchdown at the 4:01 mark to pull within 31-29.
 
After the Marauders were unable to run out the clock the Beavers had one chance to win the game, but Walton and Singer combined to preserve the U-Mary win.
 
U-Mary now has won the Big Lake Trophy both years the two teams have played for the award. The Marauders also take a 12-11 lead in the series.
 
The Marauders pounded out 154 yards on the ground, led by 75 from Ben Jolliffe, who wasn't sacked in the game. Gravely added 39 yards and Adam Woroniecki 35.
 
Ben Jolliffe finished 14-of-22 for 171 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown.
 
Nick Jolliffe was the primary target, catching six passes for 105 yards and a score.
 
Pope caught five passes for 65 yards. He also returned two punts for 31 yards and completed one pass for 51 yards.
 
Troy Guptill posted 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. He had six tackles and broke up a pass. Allen Vaiao also posted 1.5 sacks as the Marauders totaled four total in the game.
 
Cuhna completed 30-of-44 passes for 370 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Borel caught nine passes for 94 yards and La Deaux had six garbs for 124 yards and two scores.
 
Defensively for the Beavers, Levi Friedt had 16 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and broke up two passes.
 
U-Mary totaled 154 yards rushing and 229 yards passing for 383 total yards, posted 18 first downs and held the ball for 31:55. Minot State ran for 41 yards, passed for 370 and had 24 first downs.
 
The Marauders continue their two-game road trip on Saturday, Oct. 18, with a visit to the University of Minnesota Crookston.
 
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