BISMARCK, ND –
Paul Guptill broke two long touchdowns that covered over half the field each time and the University of Mary posted the first offensive points scored against the University of Minnesota Duluth in a month. UMary urnovers and a powerful Bulldogs offense, though, ensured visiting UMD a comfortable 62-27 win over the Marauders in the season finale.
Senior Day for the Marauders,
Brennan Doan,
Brock Pittsley,
Jacob Parker and
Brady Zittleman played their final game for the Marauders. It was also the final game for UMary head coach
Josh Kotelnicki, dismissed following the contest after four seasons leading the Marauders.
All four seniors had solid days. Doan ran four times for 10 yards and caught a 22 yard pass. Parker led the Marauders with eight tackles (seven solo). He had a sack and forced a fumble. Zittleman broke up three passes and made six tackles. Pittsley made five tackles, including one behind the line.
UMD, who claimed their 10
th straight NSIC North Division title and remains in the running for a for an NCAA playoff berth, recovered six fumbles and intercepted a pass to edge UMary 35-6 in points off turnovers. Twice the Bulldogs returned fumbles for scores and also returned one interception for a touchdown. UMD entered the game leading the NSIC in turnover ratio while UMary was at the bottom.
The Marauders defense also got into the scoring when Pat O'Connell returned a fumble 39 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was the lone UMD turnover of the day.
Scoring on their first three possessions, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 21-0 lead with 7:35 left in the opening quarter.
Backed up on their own 11 yard line, the Marauders quickly moved downfield for their first score. Keyed by a
Jaxon Ford 22 yard run,
Garrett Weissinger found Guptill streaking down the middle of the field for a 56 yard touchdown pass. The 89 yard scoring drive pulled UMary within 21-7. This was the first offensive touchdown given up by the Bulldogs since early October. In their previous four games, the only points scored against UMD came on a defensive fumble return.
Defensively the Marauders found a way to slow the Bulldogs the rest of the first half as UMD scored just once on their next four possessions. However the Bulldogs defense returned both a fumble and an interception for touchdowns to build a 42-7 lead at half.
Following two more UMD touchdowns in the third quarter, the Marauders found the end zone three times in the fourth. Set up by a Doan 22 yard pass reception, Guptill broke from the pack on the next play to score on a 54 yard run on the first play of the final stanza.
After a successful onside kick recovered by kicker
Josh Weiler, the Marauders retuned to the end zone when Weissinger connected with
Sam Mackedanz on a 1 yard scoring pass.
Both teams closed the scoring with fumble returns for touchdowns.
Guptill led the Marauders offense with 73 yards rushing and one touchdown on four carries. He also caught a 56 yard scoring pass.
Weissinger ran for 38 yards and completed 6-of-12 passes for 128 yards and two scores.
John Larson completed 20-of-29 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns to lead the UMD attack. Anthony Wood ran for 57 yards. James Conner had seven receptions for 69 yards.
The Marauders finish the season 1-10 overall and in the NSIC and 1-6 in the NSIC North. UMD is 9-2 and 7-0.
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