BISMARCK, ND – After a strong defensive effort by the University of Mary to start the game, visiting Northern State University took advantage of a short field in the second quarter to defeat the Marauders 52-7. It was the final home game of the season for the Marauders, who honored their 14 seniors prior to the game.
 
Mary opened the game strong on both sides of the ball as the defense forced the Wolves to punt after four plays. On the Marauders first offensive snap of the game, Nick McCann connected with Sam Mackedanz for a 20-yard gain. Another first down followed but consecutive penalties on Mary, one of the nation's least penalized teams, killed the drive. The Marauders finished the day committing a season-high seven infractions.
 
Following another 3-and-out for the Wolves, the Marauders offense generated two more first downs before punting.
 
Taking over at their own 9-yard line, the Wolves found their offensive stride and drove to the Marauders 1-yard line. Mary's defense held as Danielle Whitaker recovered a Northern State fumble at the 4-yard line.
 
The Wolves defense controlled the rest of the half, holding the Marauders without a first down in the second quarter and virtually kept the ball on the home half of the field.
 
Taking over at the Marauders 43, the Wolves used nine plays and opened the scoring on a 2-yard run by Nicholas Truen. Northern State doubled its lead to 14-0 on its next possession when Christian McAlvain ran 4 yards to cap a 66-yard drive. The Marauders then fumbled the ensuing kickoff at their own 31, leading to a McAlvain 12-yard scoring run.
 
Presented with one more chance to score before half, McAlvain connected with Zachery Barber in the left corner of the end zone for a 44-yard strike with two seconds left before intermission, pushing the Wolves lead to 28-0.
 
After Northern State added 17 points in the third quarter, the Marauders found the end zone early in the fourth.
 
Facing a 3^rd-and-15 at the Mary 25-yard line, McCann kept the drove going on a 17-yard strike to Zack Graves. Two plays later, McCann found Harley Mollman beyond the Wolves defenders and connected with the redshirt freshman for a 56-yard catch-and-run touchdown. It was Mollman's first collegiate touchdown. 
 
Playing his final home game, Whitaker was credited with a team-high three passes defensed, a fumble recovery and six tackles. Fellow seniors Austin Bolton recorded a game-high nine tackles and Shawn Fulwider had an interception and four tackles.
 
McCann finished 10-of-25 for 147 yards. Mollman caught two passes for 62 yards.
 
Zack Graves ran for 63 yards, including a 27-yard burst, and caught two passes for 18 yards. He also posted 108 yards on kick returns. Zach Podoll added 26 yards rushing.
 
McAlvain led a balanced Wolves attack that ran for 313 yards and passed for 261. The Northern State quarterback ran for 25 yards and two scores and completed just 9-of-21 passes for 186 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
 
Stephen Erlandson ran for 96 yards and Truen generated 82 yards and one score.
 
Seniors playing their final home games for the Marauders were Austin Bolton (Joliet, IL), Shawn Fulwider (Watford City, ND), Connor Graves (Rockilin, CA), Zack Graves (Rocklin, CA), Tom Johnson (Moorcroft, WY), Turnar Kist (Winnipeg, MB), Joe Ortegon (Laramie, WY), Brandon Payne (San Diego, CA), Zach Podoll (Velva, ND), Michael Ryan (St. Paul, MN), Sam Saucedo (Altadena, CA), Landon Smith (Stanley, ND), Joey Vrooman (Miller, SD) and Danielle Whitaker (Houston, TX).
 
The Marauders close out the 2016 season with two road games, the first at NSIC North Division-leader Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, Nov. 5.
 
#marauders#