BISMARCK, N.D. – Poised to take a lead on the opening possession of the game, the University of Mary would instead play from behind all day in a 42-33 loss to Northern State University in a border battle between second place teams in the Northern Sun North Division.
On a day that featured 1,058 yards of offense on 165 plays and 59 first downs, Northern State moved into sole possession of second place in the NSIC North. NSU improved to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in the North. U-Mary is 5-4 overall and 3-2. The Marauders next visit the University of Minnesota Duluth, who leads the NSIC and NSIC North at 9-0 and 5-0.
The final home game of the season for the Marauders and Senior Day for 16 student-athletes, senior wide receivers
Jake East and
Elby Pope produced big days all day. East caught nine passes for 174 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown pass. Pope posted a career-best 11 catches for 129 yards. He also returned two punts for 19 yards, two kicks for 61 yards, and ran once for one yard. The Grand Forks, N.D., native also ran the ball once for one yard.
On a day all about offense, U-Mary looked to claim an early lead. The Marauders drove the opening kickoff to the Wolves goal line before the Northern State defense stiffened and kept U-Mary out of the end zone.
The Wolves grabbed the opportunity to take a lead, driving 99 yards for the opening score on a Jared Jacobson 1 yard run and a 7-0 Northern State advantage that was never relinquished.
Following a 37-yard kickoff return by
Elby Pope, U-Mary looked to even the score on a 1 yard
Zach Roberson run. However the point after kick failed and the Marauders trailed 7-6. U-Mary would chase the point the rest of the day.
The two teams continued to trade scores throughout the second quarter. Cameron Pudwill scored from the 1 yard line on the first play of the second quarter to increase the Northern State lead to 14-6.
The Marauders immediately responded with a 10 play 65 yard drive capped by the fourth straight 1 yard touchdown run.
Adam Woroniecki followed
Deon Paulson into the end zone to pull U-Mary within 14-13.
Seven plays later the Wolves increased their lead to 21-13 as Jacobson found Cody Kraft in the end zone on a 3 yard pass.
Two possessions later, U-Mary closed the gap to 21-20 when Roberson hit
VaShawn Pope in the end zone from the 18 yard line with 1:27 remaining in the half. It was the redshirt freshman's first collegiate touchdown.
The Wolves nearly expanded their lead but
Preston Tescher broke up a pass in the end zone on the final play of the half. Tescher finished the day with two pass breakups, an interception and a game-high 14 tackles.
Continuing the alternating scoring, the Wolves broke the goal line first in the second half when Jacobson hit Nicholas Truen for a 13 yard score.
And continuing the theme of responding, the Marauders responded immediately. Keyed by a 36 yard reception by
Elby Pope,
Vince Ferrante busted into the end zone at 2:30 of the 3
rd quarter to remain within a point at 28-27.
The game took a decided turn towards the Wolves in the middle of the fourth quarter. With an opportunity to take a lead for the first time since the opening drive of the game, the Marauders lined up for a 40 yard field goal attempt. In a momentum changer, Northern State's Jalon Bibbs blocked the U-Mary field goal attempt and the Wolves took over at their own 34 yard line.
Five plays later, Jacobson and Truen connected for a 41 yard touchdown pass to push the Wolves advantage to 35-27 with 8:24 remaining in the game.
After forcing the Marauders to punt, the Wolves sealed the game with a scoring drive that consumed 13 plays, 56 yards and 6:00 of the clock. With 58 seconds left in the game, Jacobson increased the Northern State lead to 42-27 on a 1 yard run.
Not done, U-Mary scored one more time when Roberson found East in the end zone for a 23 yard scoring strike with 11 seconds in the game.
Roberson, the reigning NSIC Offensive Player of the Week after passing for 460 yards and six touchdowns, had another massive game. The junior signal caller completed 29-of-46 passes for 409 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for nine yards and a score.
Ferrante led the Marauders ground game with 35 yards and a score on eight carries.
In addition to Tescher reaching double figures in tackles,
Seth Walton added 12 stops and
Austin Bolton had ten.
Jacobson led the Wolves on the ground and through the air. The senior rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. He also completed 36-of-53 passes for 418 yards and three scores with one interception.
Truen ran for 47 yards and caught six passes for 79 yards and two scores. Conner Doherty had five catches for 93 yards.
Zach Neer led the Wolves defense with 11 tackles.
U-Mary produced 484 yards of offense and 25 first downs. Northern State generated 574 yards and 34 first downs.
The Marauders next play at #2 Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, Nov. 8.
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