BISMARCK, ND – On a night full of big plays on both sides of the ball, University of Mary quarterback Logan Nelson became the first Marauders player to run for over 100 yards and pass for more than 170 yards since UMary began competing in NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun in 2006. The junior accounted for 328 yards of offense and four touchdowns in a wild 34-29 loss to Minot State University in the Battle for the Big Lake.
 
Nelson had an impressive night both running and passing. The junior ran for 149 and three touchdowns and passed for 179 yards and a score to lead the Marauders to their best offensive yardage output in nearly five years. Three of Nelson's four touchdowns were big strikes and he ran for scores covering 55, 62 and 15 yards while connecting with Danny Kittner on a 46 yard touchdown pass.

The Marauders totaled 467 yards of offense against the Beavers, the best showing for the UMary offense since generating 524 yards at St. Cloud State in November 2014.
 
UMary started fast but Minot State always had a response. The scoring opened for UMary on a safety when Cyrano Rayfield and Grady Blewett tackled Ali Mohamed in the end zone for a 3 yard loss. Two plays after the subsequent kickoff, Nelson busted 55 yards down the left sideline for his first touchdown of the night, giving the Marauders a 9-0 lead.
 
Following another defensive stop, the Marauders needed just three plays to fins the end zone once again when Nelson and Kittner collaborated on a 46 yard touchdown to increase UMary's lead to 15-0.
 
Minot State soon found the end zone before the end of the first quarter before the Marauders and the Beavers traded touchdowns in the second. With the offensive line providing a huge running lane up the middle, Nelson sprinted 62 yards to exceed the distance of his first touchdown. Two possessions later, Minot State found the endzone in the final minute to cut UMary's lead to 22-14 at intermission.
 
The Marauders explosive efforts continued to start the second half. With UMary receiving the opening kickoff, Kittner burst 43 yards to give the team possession at midfield. Eight plays later and now seemingly in control, Nelson exploded for a 15 yard touchdown run for a 29-14 lead less than five minutes into the second half.
 
The Beavers soon found the consistency they were searching for, sandwiching two touchdowns around a field goal to take a 31-29 lead entering the final quarter of play.
 
Defenses took over in the final quarter. UMary used a 48 yard catch and run by Kittner to key a drive to the 11 yard line but couldn't take advantage of the field position and came away empty handed. Immediately the Beavers drove the field for a field goal.
 
UMary had two final possessions but was unable to sustain a drive.
 
Nelson put up offensive numbers not seen for a few years. His three rushing touchdowns tied the mark for the most by a Marauders player in the NCAA era, last accomplished by Josh Murray against MSU Moorhead in Oct. 2011. The 62 yard touchdown run was the longest run from scrimmage since Adam Woroniecki burst for a 67 yard gain against Wayne State College in Sept. 2015. And the 328 yards of offense was last exceeded by Zach Roberson's 376 in a season-opening win over Southwest Minnesota State in 2014. He finished 10-for-23 for 179 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Nelson ran 12 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Kittner set a career-high with 136 yards receiving on five catches, including one for a score. One of the conference leaders in all-purpose yardage, the sophomore wideout also ran once for eight yards and returned five kicks for 107 more. Leonardo Vecchi had three catches for 31 yards.
 
Bryan Lumsden had his strongest night of the season, carrying the ball for 68 yards on 10 carries, including a 32 yard run. Sebastian Franck-Love added another 39 rushing yards as UMary outgained Minot State 250 to 185 on the ground.
 
Defensively the Marauders had ten tackles behind the line. Paul Guptill made a career-high 13 tackles that included 2.5 tackles for loss. Including the safety, Rayfield had 2.0 tackles for loss and 10 tackles. Blewett, who teamed with Rayfield for the safety, had 2.5 tackles for loss and nine tackles. Dre Jackson also had 2.0 tackles for loss to go with eight total tackles and one pass breakup.
 
Minot State, which generated 430 yards of offense, was paced by Mohammed in rushing as he ran for 85 yards and a score. Ben Bolinske completed 19-of-27 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns while tacking on 35 yards rushing. Lavante Bushnell caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Isaiah Bigby had an interception and a tackle for loss.
 
The Marauders next play in another trophy game when UMary visits MSU Moorhead for the Battle for the Paddle on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Moorhead, MN. Game time is 1 pm.
 
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