MINOT, ND – In hard-fought Battle of the Big Lake that featured big plays in all facets of the game, the University of Mary football team came up just short in the season finale. Minot State scored the only points of the second half and held off the visiting Marauders 21-20 in Northern Sun North division play.
 
Both schools have now won the Big Lake trophy twice, with the Beavers taking possession each of the last two years. MSU also edged slightly ahead 13-12 in the lifetime series between the two instate rivals.
 
A pair of senior had big performances for the Marauders. Slot back Zack Graves ran for 101 yards and threw a 58-yard touchdown pass. Defensive back Danielle Whitaker had 14 total tackles with three for loss, including two behind the line on consecutive plays inside the Marauders 5 yard line to keep the Beavers out of the end zone.
 
A wild first half that featured offensive, defensive and special teams touchdowns plus four turnovers found the Marauders up 20-14 at intermission. It was the Marauders first halftime lead this season.
 
The first turnover of the game led to the opening points of the contest. Hit by Cyrano Rayfield, Beavers punt returner Lavonte Bushnell fumbled and Connor Graves recovered the ball at the Minot State 9 yard line. Three plays later Cody Goetz drilled a 19-yard field goal.
 
Recovering a Marauders muffed punt at the Mary 37, Minot State drove to the 1 yard line but failed to score. Whitaker made a tackle behind the line for a 3-yard loss on second down and followed with a 2-yard tackle for loss on a 3^rd down swing pass. Aaron La Deaux subsequently pulled a 23-yard field goal attempt to the right and the Marauders 3-0 lead remained.
 
Mary was unable to overcome its next turnover. Minot State recovered a fumble and drove 36 yards in seven plays, taking a 7-3 lead on the second play of the second quarter when Jose Escobar connected with Lavante Bushnell on an 8-yard scoring pass.
 
Connor Graves returned the ensuing kickoff 30 yards to the Mary 47. Featuring runs of 14 and ten yards by his brother Zack Graves, the Marauders pulled within 7-6 on a 28-yard field goal by Goetz.
 
After the Marauders forced the Beavers to punt, Mary needed just four plays to drive 80 yards for the go-ahead score. Following three straight carries by Z. Graves, the Rocklin, CA, native took the handoff, pulled up short and fired deep downfield to a wide-open Sam Saucedo for a 58-yard touchdown and a 13-7 Marauders advantage.
 
On the next offensive snap the Marauders struck again. Team captain Jacob Parker stepped in front of an Escobar pass and sprinted 26 yards to the end zone for Mary's first defensive score of the season, increasing the Mary lead to 20-7 with 4:37 remaining until intermission.
 
Marauders hopes of taking a 13-point lead into intermission were dashed when the Beavers blocked a Mary punt. Ryan Fila recovered the ball in the end zone with 1:06 on the clock, pulling the Beavers within 20-14.
 
After a scoreless third quarter that featured a missed field goal for the Beavers and just one offensive possession for the Marauders, Minot State took the lead on the third play of the fourth quarter. Escobar connected with Ray Watkins on a 1-yard scoring pass and the Beavers moved ahead 21-20.
 
Keyed by a 29-yard pass from Nick McCann to C. Graves on the Marauders next possession, Mary drove to the Minot State 31 yard line but came up 4 yards short on 4^th-and-6 competed pass play and turned the ball over on downs.  
 
Mary's defense continued to hold but the offense struggled to move the ball. After a 3-and-out the next time they had the ball, the Marauders took possession one last time with 3:08 left in the game. Three straight McCann to Saucedo completions pushed the ball to the Beavers 38 yard line but the drive – and rally - ended on three straight sacks. MSU then ran out the final 81 seconds to secure the win.
 
The Marauders ran for 137 yards and totaled 246 yards of offense. Defensively Mary held Minot State to 321 yards, the second-fewest allowed this season.
 
Saucedo finished the day with four catches for 77 yards and a score. C. Graves added two catches for 31 yards.
 
In addition to the interception, Parker had six tackles and broke up two passes. Austin Bolton added eight tackles with one for loss. The senior from Joliet, IL, ends his career with 214 tackles, the 10^th best total all-time at Mary. Eric Knutson had 1.5 tackles for loss and Rayfield added a tackle for loss to his forced fumble.
 
Jarvis Mustipher paced the Beavers offense with 96 yards rushing. Escobar completed 16-of-28 passes for 146 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
 
The Marauders close out the season 1-10 overall and in the NSIC and 1-6 in the NSIC North for the second straight season. The Beavers finished 3-8 and 2-5.
 
Mary returns to the field at home against Minnesota State University during the Labor Day weekend in late August/early September on a day yet to be finalized.
 
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