BISMARCK, ND – Big plays and big records highlighted the Battle for the Big Lake. The University of Mary reclaimed the Big Lake Trophy as the Marauders overwhelmed visiting Minot State University 49-31. Logan Nelson cracked a pair of UMary single season marks with Luke Little breaking another Marauders record on a day the pair combined for three touchdown passes. Additionally Danny Kittner broke Northern Sun marks for catches and receiving yards in a single season.  
 
Nelson set single season records for passing touchdowns and passing yards, breaking two long-standing marks held by UMary Hall of Fame quarterback Paul Cronin. Nelson threw for four touchdowns and 372 yards, completing 23-of-34 passes. The senior quarterback also ran for the opening score. Nelson now has 35 touchdown passes and 3,267 yards this season. Cronin's old marks were 32 touchdown passes in 1995 and 2,934 yards passing in 1994.
 
Held without a catch in the first half, Little exploded in the second half. The senior wide receiver caught four passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns covering 5, 62 and 70 yards. He now has 18 touchdown receptions this season to break All-American Tyler Steffan's record of 17 in 2011.

Already the Marauders record holder for catches and receiving yards in a season, Danny Kittner broke the Northern Sun's records in both categories. The junior has 109 catches for 1,439 yards this season through 10 games with one contest remaining on the schedule to reset the NSIC record board. Daniel Davis had 104 catches for Southwest Minnesota State University in 2019. MSU Moorhead's Damon Gibson caught passes for 1,395 yards in 2014. 
 
Keyed by a 34 yard catch by Kittner on a 3rd-down-and-6 play, the Marauders scored on the opening drive of the game. Nelson capped an 11 play 84 yard drive with a 5 yard run, the only score of the opening quarter. 
 
Following a 4^th down defensive stop on a pass breakup by Ty'Rese Gibson on the first play of the second quarter, the Marauders took over on their own 38 yard line. Pushing quickly downfield on a 24 yard catch by Colin Gapen, Dave Small Jr. completed the drive when he broke outside and dove at the left pylon to score from 17 yards out for the Marauders second touchdown of the day. Kittner followed with a run into the end zone for a 2-point conversion and a 15-0 UMary lead.
 
Minot State closed within 15-7 on a 67 yard touchdown catch by Knylen Miller-Levi on a 4^th down fake punt but the Marauders were far from done. Miller-Levi later added a 33 yard interception return for a score.
 
Taking over at the Minot State 43 on a fumble recovery by Nate Eschleman, UMary pushed its lead to 21-7 when Gapen turned around the Beavers defensive back in the end zone before hauling in a 31 yard touchdown catch from Nelson on a 4^th and 11 play. A Beavers field goal closed the gap to 21-10 at intermission.
 
The Marauders kept increasing the pressure to start the second half. Taking the ball at their own 25, UMary drove the field in seven plays on the opening possession, capped when Little hauled in a 5 yard pass from Nelson in the back of the end zone for a 28-10 lead.
 
The Marauders advantage increased to 35-10 moments later when Ty'Rhae Gibson read the intentions of the Beavers quarterback and jumped the route, intercepting the pass at the UMary 49 yard line and sailing untouched 51 yards for the score. UMary finished the 3^rd quarter leading 35-17.
 
Playing his final game at the MDU Resources Bowl after also calling the Bowl his home field during his Century High School career, Little had a fourth quarter to remember.
 
Lined up on the right side and the ball on the MSU 26, Little ran past the Beavers defender and found himself streaking wide open down the sideline. Nelson spotted Little, fired a deep ball and hit Little in stride for a 62 yard touchdown pass.
 
After the Beavers responded with a 75 yard touchdown pass, it was Little's turn once again. Now on the left side with the ball on the UMary 30, Little caught a short pass and pulled away from initial tackle attempt, ran past several defenders and broke past at least five Beavers defenders on the way to a 70 yard catch and run for the final score of the game and the school record for touchdown catches.
 
The Marauders rolled up 522 yards of offense in the game, including 145 yards rushing.
 
Small led the Marauders with 99 yards rushing and a touchdown on 18 touches.
 
The nation's leader in catches and receiving yards, Kittner caught 10 balls for 107 yards. Gapen added two grabs for 55 yards.
 
Tanner Vaughan led the defensive charge for the Marauders. The freshman defensive lineman had 2.5 sacks and forced a fumble. Jack Barry also added a sack in the game and a forced fumble. Collintino Andrews had a team-high seven tackles. Gibson finished with an interception and a pass breakup.
 
The Beavers (1-9 overall) finished with 374 yards of offense with 138 coming on two long touchdown catches. Ali Mohamed had a game-high 116 yards rushing. Peyton Lamoureux had six catches for 126 yards and a touchdown.
 
The Marauders (4-6 Northern Sun / 3-2 NSIC North) close out the regular season Saturday, Nov. 13, at Bemidji State University.
 
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