BISMARCK, N.D. – Facing one of the nation's top teams, the University of Mary slowed 21^st ranked University of Minnesota Duluth's offense early but the Bulldogs eventually bulldozed their way to a 45-0 win over the homestanding Marauders. 
 
The Marauders used a Landon Smith sack on third down and forced an incomplete pass on 4^th-and-12 sent the Bulldogs offense to the sidelines on their first possession. A Jacob Parker interception sidelined the Bulldogs second possession.
 
With the Marauders unable to move the ball offensively and take advantage of the early opportunities, the Bulldogs soon took charge, scoring touchdowns on six straight possessions. After driving 85 yards for a score late in the first quarter, the Bulldogs went 95 yards on its next possession to increase their lead to 14-0. Three more touchdowns, including an 80 yard reception by Justin Folkes of a Drew Bauer pass, sent UMD into the locker room leading 35-0.
 
The Bulldogs tacked on ten more points in the third quarter.
 
This was the 23^rd straight Northern Sun North Division win for UMD, which improves to 5-2 overall and in the NSIC and 3-0 in the NSIC North. U-Mary is 0-7 and 0-3.
 
U-Mary was limited to 217 yards of offense and 13 first downs in the game. The Marauders went without a first down on their first five possessions before putting together a drive late in the first half that ended with a missed field goal. U-Mary twice reached the red zone while UMD penetrated the Marauders 20 four times and scored on each possession. UMD generated 570 yards of offense, including 281 rushing, and had 22 first downs.
 
For the second straight week, Zach Graves led U-Mary in rushing. He churned out 43 yards on 11 carries, including a 20-yard burst. He also has two catches for 30 yards. Adam Woroniecki added 41 yards on 14 attempts.
 
Connor Graves paced the Marauders with three catches for 34 yards. Brennan Doan, the second leading receiver in the Northern Sun at nearly seven catches per game, caught just two passes for 36 yards.
 
Smith led the Marauders defensive efforts with three tackles for loss, including one of the two U-Mary sacks. He recovered a fumble and had nine tackles. Patrick Ryan led the squad with 11 tackles and Preston Tescher added 10. In addition to his interception, Parker was credited with two pass breakups.
 
Big plays in the passing game by Bauer sparked the Bulldogs. The junior quarterback was 9-of-16 for 280 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 19 yards and a score. Four different receivers caught the scoring passes.
 
Jeremiah Newell headlined the Minnesota Duluth rushing attack with 95 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
 
Defensively Karl Finkel had two sacks for the Bulldogs. Overall UMD totaled eight tackles for loss.
 
After two straight home games, the Marauders next visit Northern State University on Saturday, Oct. 24.
 
#marauders#