MOORHEAD, MN – Another impressive performance by University of Mary sophomore
Danny Kittner and a fourth quarter rally by the Marauders left the final outcome in question until the closing moments of a 47-32 loss at MSU Moorhead in the 14
th annual Battle for the Paddle.
One of the nation's leaders in all-purpose yardage, Kittner went over 100 yards in both receiving and return yardage for the second straight week. He caught seven passes for 121 yards with a touchdown, returned three punts for 35 yards and two kicks for 86 yards to roll up 242 yards in the game. Kittner continued to flash his big play ability in all phases of the game with a 42 yard pass reception, a 27 yard punt return and a 52 yard kick return.
The Marauders started fast, scoring on the opening possession of the game. Highlighted by a 40 yard kick return by
Marquell Evans, Kittner capped the opening drive by catching a 6 yard touchdown pass from
Jordan Velarde.
Making his first start of the season, Velarde later found
Brandon McFarlane open in the end zone late on the opening half for the Marauders second touchdown of the game. Followed shortly by another MSUM touchdown, UMary entered intermission down 33-14.
Following a scoreless third quarter, the Dragons extended their lead to 40-14 early in the fourth quarter before the Marauders offense regained their footing.
Taking advantage of the Kittner 52 yard kick return,
Brody Riggs started the UMary rally by drilling a 47 yards field goal.
After the Marauders defense forced a 3-and-out, Kittner broke a punt return 27 yards to the Dragons 33 yard line. Following receptions of 21 and 15 yards by
Garrett Weissinger,
Bryan Lumsden crashed his way into the end zone from 1 yard out to close the gap to 40-24.
Another defensive stop by the Marauders defense forced the Dragons to punt and UMary took over at its own 24 yard line. And once again, Kittner stepped forward to provide another big play, hauling down a 42 yard pass reception from Velarde to change sides of the field. Soon faced with a 4
th down and 11 from the 17 yard line, a Dragons pass interference penalty put the ball at the MSUM 2 yard line. Three plays later, Lumsden again found the end zone from a yard out. A Weissinger to Velarde two-point conversion pulled the Marauders within one possession at 40-32 and 1:53 left in the game.
Needing to recover the onside kick, the Marauders rally ended when the Dragons recovered the kick and scored a touchdown on their next play.
Velarde passed for a career-high 252 yards, completing 19-of-34 passes for two scores and three interceptions. Lumsden scored twice and ran for 84 yards on 21 carries. Weissinger caught a career-best nine passes for 83 yards. Evans finished with 124 yards on five kick returns.
Jarad Zittleman led the Marauders defense with nine tackles and a tackle for loss.
Grady Blewett had six tackles and a pass breakup.
Dylan Anthony and
Cyrano Rayfield also had six tackles with one tackle for loss each.
Taylor Morrison had the Marauders lone sack.
The Dragons were paced by Grady Bresnahan, who caught three touchdowns on seven receptions for 95 yards. Plasterer finished 22-of-33 passing for 239 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Marauders remain on the road when UMary plays at the University of Sioux Falls at 1 pm on Saturday, Oct. 5.
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