BISMARCK, ND – On a day of odds and evens, the chance for victory slipped thought the hands of the University of Mary in a 27-19 loss to Minot State University. UMary scored in the first and third quarters and MSU in the second and fourth stanzas as the Beavers held onto the Big Lake Trophy for a third straight year.
 
With a strong wind blowing out of the east, the Marauders and Beavers both relied on strong running attacks and all touchdowns came on the ground. UMary ran for 317 of its 347 yards and MSU's ground game accounted for 260 of its 325 yards.
 


The Marauders dominated the opening quarter, scoring two touchdowns and running 24 of the 30 plays.
 
DeShawn Gay opened the scoring with a 9 yard run around right end to cap a nine-play 75 yard drive off the opening kickoff.
 
UMary's second drive was even more dominating. Keyed by a 20 yard run by Brennan Doan, the senior slotback pushed UMary in front 12-0 with a 7 yard dash to the end zone. His scoring run capped a 15-play 77 yard drive.
 
Just as the Marauders controlled the first quarter the Beavers dominated the second. Quarterback Zac Cuhna cut the Marauders lead in half with a 29 yard touchdown run. Larry Overstreet knotted the contest 12-12 with a 19 yard touchdown run, the first of three scoring runs on the day for the senior.
 
Fresh off of a 20 yard run on their first possession of the second half, Marauders quarterback Garrett Weissinger scampered 24 yards on the next play to push UMary in front 19-12 early in the third quarter.
 
After the defenses controlled the remained of the quarter, a major miscue early in the fourth proved costly to UMary. Taking over at their own 4 yard line after a Beavers punt, the Marauders fumbled the ball. On the next play, Overstreet busted into the end zone.
 
Lining up for the extra point that would even the score, the Beavers used a bit of trickeration to grab the lead. Holder Taylor Maloney took the snap and rambled through the left side of the line for a 2-point conversion for a 20-19 lead with 12:43 to play.
 
Unable to get any closer than the Minot State 49 yard line on their next three possessions with time running out, the Marauders resorted to desperation. In order to get the ball back one more time, the Marauders defense stepped aside and allowed Overstreet to run 76 yards for a touchdown with 1:02 remaining. After the extra point, MSU led 27-19, meaning UMary could tie the game with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion.
 
The Marauders managed to drive to their 45 yard line but hopes to force overtime were dashed by a Nikko Walker interception with 22 seconds left to play.
 
Weissinger led UMary in rushing with 77 yards and a touchdown. Paul Guptill added 64 yards on the ground and Gay had 41.
 
Dylan Anthony led UMary with eight tackles, including a stop on 3^rd-and-1 to force a Beavers punt late in the game. Chris Kraft also had eight tackles. Jacob Parker broke up three passes and blocked an extra point attempt.
 
Overstreet finished with 187 yards and three touchdowns rushing for the Beavers. Cuhna added 46 and Hayden Van Winkle 41.
 
The Marauders next play at Bemidji State University on Oct. 7.
 
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