ABERDEEN, S.D. - After winning the turnover battle the last two games, the trend again continued early today for the University of Mary. Unfortunately the tide quickly turned as the Marauders suffered a 37-0 loss at Northern State University.
In its last two games, the Marauders were 5 in turnovers, forcing six while committing just one. Against Northern State, U-Mary lost the ball a season-high five times while recovering two Wolves fumbles.
The turnovers started early but in the Marauders favor.
Tucker Benjamin forced and recovered a Wolves fumble on the game's opening kickoff on the NSU 25 yard line.
Nick Kottre caught a 12 yard pass from
Caleb Buck on the first play of the game but U-Mary stalled out at the 10. The Marauders golden opportunity to take an early lead passed by when U-Mary missed a 28-yard field goal.
Northern State immediately drove the field and hit a 22 yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. After forcing the Marauders(0-8 overall, 0-4 Northern Sun North) to punt on their second possession of the game, the Wolves (4-4 overall, 4-0 Northern Sun North) moved 87 yards and for a touchdown. Kyle Lavand connected with Tyrell Anderson for an 11 yard touchdown pass and NSU held a 10-0 lead after the first quarter.
A flurry of turnovers early in the second kept both teams discombobulated. An
Anthony Eggleston sack, forced fumble and subsequent recovery for U-Mary was sandwiched around a Marauders interception and lost fumble. Eventually the Wolves regained their footing and converted two more field goals for a 16-0 lead at intermission.
Still within striking distance, turnovers on the Marauders first two possessions of the second half virtually eliminated a chance for victory as the Wolves converted both into touchdowns. With 9:07 left in the third quarter Northern State led 30-0.
The Marauders generated 19 first downs in the game to 22 for the Wolves but Northern State had significant edges in offense. NSU totaled 426 yards of offense, including 179 rushing, to 315 for U-Mary with 87 yards coming on the ground.
Caleb Buck was 30-of-50 passing for 203 yards for U-Mary.
Zach Graves was his main target, catching 11 balls for 89 yards.
Zach Podoll had seven catches for 64 yards.
Adam Woroniecki led the rushing game with 57 yards on 12 carries, including a 25 yard burst.
One of the leading tacklers in the Northern Sun, senior safety
Preston Tescher made 13 stops on the day, including nine solo tackles.
Austin Bolton added eight for the day.
Seth Walton made two stops and both were for loss.
Nicholas Truen ran for a game-high 64 yards and a score for Northern State. Lavand was 13-of-25 for 233 yards and a score. He also ran for 42 yards. Zachery Barber caught five passes for 108 yards. Defensively Taylor Zemlicka had ten tackles (eight solo), forced and recovered a fumble and made an interception. Tyson Zemlicka added eight tackles, all solo, and broke up two passes.
The Marauders next return home to host the University of Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, Oct. 31. Game time is 1 p.m. at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
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