BISMARCK, ND – A big day by Luke Little highlighted the home opener for the University of Mary football team. Despite career highs in receptions and yards by the sophomore wideout, the Marauders couldn't keep pace with Bemidji State University in a 66-0 setback for the Marauders.
 
Little caught 12 passes in the game for 199 yards. He hauled in four passes of 20 or more yards, including first half receptions of 46 and 35 yards. The Bismarck, ND, native missed the school record for receptions by one, falling just shy of the 13 catches produced in a single game by both Jake Pfau and Erik Kruse.
 
On an impressively windy day in front of a large and enthusiastic home crowd, the visiting Beavers started fast and didn't let up. BSU punted just once on the Beavers first nine possessions, building a 49-0 lead at intermission.
 
Jordan Velarde completed 15-of-24 passes for 135 yards for the Marauders. He hit Little for his two longest gainers. Freshman Jason Hoekstra, making his collegiate debut, went 13-of-23 for 127 yards.
 
Tyson Carney added seven catches for the Marauders.
 
Beiley Meyer averaged 42.4 yards per punt with a long of 55. He landed two of eight attempts inside the 20 yard line.
 
Freshman Maxwell Askew provided several big plays late in the game for the Marauders. The linebacker had three tackles for loss, broke up a pass, and totaled none tackles.
 
Brothers Grady and Will Blewett combined for 19 tackles. Grady Blewett had a team-high 10 tackles (six solo) with a sack. Will Blewell had seven solo stops among his nine tackles.
 
Noah Krebs added seven tackles.
 
Sage Booker led BSU with 163 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns. Jalen Frye added 127 yards rushing and Sherrod Kpahn added 52yards and two scores. Brandon Alt three for three scores, completing 6-of-12 passes for 149 yards.
 
The Marauders return to action with the upcoming Battle for the Big Lake as UMary visits Minot State University on Saturday, September 15 at 3 pm.
 
#marauders#