MOORHEAD, MN – In a back-and-forth battle that featured four lead changes and a pair of ties, time ran out on the University of Mary in the 15
th Battle for the Paddle. The Marauders took their final lead of the day with 4:33 remaining in the game but homestanding MSU Moorhead found the end zone with just 10 seconds left in the game to claim a 35-31 win over UMary.
Luke Little caught a pair of scoring passes from
Logan Nelson,
Danny Kittner added a scoring strike of his own, and Dave Small Jr. rumbled for 103 yards and a touchdown to lead a Marauders attack that held a 439-340 advantage in yards and a 36:23 to 23:37 edge in time of possession. But three UMary turnovers and a kick return for a Dragons touchdown turned the contest in favor of MSU Moorhead.
Kittner broke the Marauders record for receptions in a single season with his third of 10 catches on the day. Seth Meier made 80 catches in 1999. Kittner, the nation's leader in catches and receiving yards, has 88 catches in 2021.
A back and forth game in the first half witnessed both teams exchanging touchdowns. After the Dragons scored first, Little hauled in a 20 yard scoring pass from Nelson. Down 14-7 after the first quarter, Little caught a 31 yard touchdown pass from Nelson at 12:03 of the second quarter to tie the game.
UMary took its first lead of the day on the opening possession of the second half when
Kevin Powell connected for a 30 yard field goal. Less than 5:00 minutes later, Kittner caught a 14 yard touchdown pass from Nelson to build the Marauders lead to 24-14.
The Dragons quickly retaliated as Carter Blackwell returned a kick 70 yards for a touchdown before taking a 28-24 lead at 10:05 of the fourth quarter on a Jared Czech 6 yard run.
The Marauders immediately responded, driving 65 yards on 12 plays. Small capped the drive with a 1 yard run when he bounced outside and into the end zone to give UMary a 31-28 lead with 4:33 remaining in the game.
Once again MSU Moorhead had a response. Taking over at their own 26 yard line, the Dragons faced a 4
th-and-1 at the UMary 5 with time running out and eschewed a potential game-tying field goal attempt. Instead, Hayden Boll ran for a 3 yard gain and a first down. On the next snap, Boll scored from the 2 yard line with 10 seconds remaining to push MSUM in front 35-31. It was the 7
th straight carry for Boll.
Little finished with five catches for 85 yards and two scores. Kittner caught 10 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Both Little and Kittner have an NSIC-leading 13 touchdown catches this season.
Brandon Morris set career-highs with nine catches for 93 yards for the Marauder.
Small toted the ball 22 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. It was his fourth time cracking the century mark in his first season at UMary.
Nelson had another big day for the Marauders. Ranked 2
nd in NCAA D2 in touchdown passes and 5
th in passing yards, the senior threw for three more scores and 299 yards. He completed 28 passed in 42 attempts and added 28 yards rushing.
Nate Eschleman had two tackles for loss and totaled eight tackles.
Devyn Charles and
Collintino Andrews both had sacks for UMary.
Damon Williamson broke up a pair of passes.
Tommy Falk completed 19-of-34 passes for 237 yards and a score. Czech ran for 24 yards and a score and completed three passes for 12 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Bieberdorf scored the Dragons first two touchdowns and caught eight passes for 61 yards.
After two straight road games, the Marauders return home to host Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, Oct. 30. Kickoff is set for 2 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
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