BEMIDJI, MN – University of Mary quarterback Garrett Wessinger ran for two scores and passed for a third in the Marauders 45-19 road loss at Bemidji State University. The sophomore led UMary to a second quarter lead before the Beavers responded in a big way.
Trailing by a touchdown after the first quarter, Weissinger led UMary on consecutive scoring drives of 71 and 52 yards to claim a 13-7 lead. His first score was a 5 yard run, the second covered 1 yard.
During the two drives, the Marauders possessed the ball for 11:15 and ran 20 plays while the Beavers had one possession, ran three plays and consumed just 46 seconds.
The Beavers didn't wait long to regain the lead, driving 62 yards and finishing with a 1 yard scoring run by Andrew Lackowski to move ahead 14-13. Isaac Aanerud added a 41 yard field goal for BSU as time expired to allow the home team to enter intermission leading 17-13.
The game began to turn early in the third quarter. Unable to gain a first down on the opening possession and forced to kick,
Bailey Meyer's punt attempt was blocked and rolled out of bounds at the UMary 12 yard line. Four plays later, Tahi Nomane broke in from 3 yards out to increase the BSU lead to 24-13.
Following two more BSU touchdowns, the Marauders returned to the end zone one more time. On the first play from scrimmage following a kick return, Weissinger found
DeShawn Gay streaking down the seam and connected with the freshman slotback on a 72 yard catch-and-run, the longest play from scrimmage for the Marauders this season.
Weissinger completed 4-of-7 passes for 112 yards and a score. He also carried 19 times for 24 yards and two touchdowns.
Devin Hope rushed for 34 yards. Gay added 17 yards rushing in addition to 72 yards receiving.
Brock Pittsley led UMary with 2.5 sacks, a career-best. He finished the day with six tackles. Pat O'Connell had 1.5 tackles for loss.
Noah Krebs posted a team-leading 11 tackles, including eight solo stops.
Brady Zittleman knocked down three passes.
Meyer averaged 46.8 yards on eight punts, including a boomer of 82 yards. He just missed the team record of 85 yards by Wes Harens against Carroll College in 1997.
Lackowski ran for 163 yards and two scores to lead the Beavers offense. Nomane added 100 yards. Jordan Hein completed 16-of-26 passes for 194 yards and three scores and ran for 19.
The Beavers held a 25-10 edge in first downs and had advantages in rushing (283-103), passing (195-112) and total yards (478-215).
The Marauders now prepare for Homecoming as the University of Minnesota Crookston visits on Saturday, Oct. 14. Kickoff is set for 1 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
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