BISMARCK, ND – In search of their first-ever win against 19^th ranked University of Minnesota Duluth, the University of Mary came up just short in a heartbreaking homecoming loss to the Bulldogs. Using the high-flying passing combination of Logan Nelson to Danny Kittner and the punishing running of Dave Small Jr., the Marauders claimed a 4^th quarter lead before the Bulldogs rallied for a 31-27 road win.
 
Kittner and Nelson combined for three touchdowns on the day, covering 13, 23, and 22 yards. Nelson now has 22 touchdown passes this season and Kittner has 12 receiving touchdowns. Kittner finished with 13 catches for 133 yards, exceeding the century mark in yardage in all six games this season. Nelson completed 22-of-30 passes for 244 yards and no interceptions.
 
Small cracked 100 yards for the second straight week and the third time in four games, finishing with a career-high 133 yards on 18 carries and 1 TD.
 
The Bulldogs (5-1 Overall/NSIC, 2-0 NSIC North) found the end zone early in the opening quarter as Byron Bynum caught a 35 yard scoring pass from Logan Gaetz on UMD's first play of the game.
 
UMary (2-4, 1-1) found the equalizer on its second possession of the second quarter. Set up by a 20 yard catch by Luke Little, Nelson found Kittner in the right side of the end zone from 13 yards out at the 9:56 mark to tie the game at 7-7.
 
After the Bulldogs responded with a pair of touchdowns, Nelson hit Kittner from 23 yards out to cap a 61 yard drive and pull within 21-14. UMD followed with a field goal and entered intermission leading 24-14.
 
Playing in front of a boisterous homecoming crowd, the Marauders took control of the game throughout the third quarter, scoring the only touchdown of the stanza when Nelson and Kittner connected once again, this time on a spectacular 22 yard scoring strike with Kittner outleaping the Bulldogs defenders. The Marauders wideout held on tightly to the ball despite a hit that sent the Marauders wideout spinning in the air before crashing into the end zone to pull UMary within 24-20.
 
Small took over the game on the Marauders next possession. Taking over at their own 19 yard line after the UMary defense held UMD without a first down and forced a punt, Small burst 69 yards on the first snap. A pass interference call in the end zone gave the Marauders a 1^st-and-goal at the 2 yard line. Two plays later Small cracked the goal line from 1 yard out to give the Marauders their first lead of the day at 27-24 with 13:02 remaining in the game.
 
UMD immediately responded, driving 63 yards on eight plays to take the final lead of the game at 31-27 with 7:30 on the clock when Logan Graetz connected with Sam Pitz for a 2 yard touchdown pass.
 
The Marauders had two more possessions in the game but were unable to penetrate the Bulldogs Northern Sun-leading defense.
 
Little added five catches for 60 yards, one of six receivers to catch a pass from Nelson.
 
Isaiah Pittman led the Marauders with 12 tackles. Tylen Small added nine.
 
Cazz Martin led UMD with 141 yards on 17 carries. Graetz completed 13-of-24 passes for 150 yards and four touchdowns. Bynum had two catches for 40 yards and two scores.
 
UMary held a 360-339 edge in yardage while UMary held a 19-16 advantage in first downs.
 
The Marauders next embark on a 2-game road trip, first stopping at the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, Oct. 16.
 
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