MARSHALL, MN – An offensive explosion of 17 points in just 2:19 spanning the end of the 1st half to the start of the 2nd half propelled the University of Mary to a 45-23 road win over Southwest Minnesota State University. Luke Little caught two of Logan Nelson's four touchdown passes and David Small ran for 130 yards on a night the Marauders dominated all three phases of the game.

The victory is the first of the season for the Marauders and the first road win for the program since 2018. UMary improves to 1-2 on the season and returns home to host Winona State University at 2 pm on Saturday, September 25.

The Marauders opened the scoring on their 1st possession of the game. Taking over at the SMSU 35 after the UMary defense forced the Mustangs to go 3-and-out, the Marauders took advantage of a penalty on the home team in the end zone on 4th down. On 2nd and goal from the 1, freshman Diamonte Stugelmeyer broke into the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown to give UMary a 7-0 lead at 9:40.

UMary doubled the Marauders lead at 10:10 of the 2nd when Logan Nelson found a wide open Luke Little in the end zone for a 12 yard scoring pass, increasing their lead to 14-0.
SMSU found its way onto the scoreboard with a field goal at 4:06.

The UMary defense and special teams provided one more chance for the Marauders to score before the half. After downing a punt at the SMSU 1 yard line, Ty'Rese Gibson intercepted an SMSU pass at midfield and returned the ball to the SMSU. With less than a second remaining on the clock prior to snap, Kevin Powell drilled a 35 yard field goal as time expired to enter intermission leading 17-3.

The Marauders scoring outburst continued in the second half, stunning the Mustangs with two touchdowns in the opening 2:19 pf the second half.

Facing a 3rd and 10 on their own 20, Nelson rolled away from the pass rush to his left and kept looking downfield. Eventually Danny Kittner pulled away from coverage and hauled in a throw past midfield on a cross route before outrunning the Mustangs defense down the left numbers for an 80 yard scoring strike and a 24-3 Marauders lead.

Two plays later, Devin Beck made a diving interception at the SMSU 13 yard line and the Marauders took advantage. Looking to the end zone on the first snap, Nelson waited for Little to clear the defenders in the back of the end zone before hitting the All-NSIC receiver for his second touchdown of the game and fifth of the season. Including the field goal on the last play of the first half, UMary rolled off 17 points in just 2:19 to build a 31-3 lead.

From there both teams continued to create big plays on offense. After Andrew Haidet ran 58 yards for SMSU's 1st TD of the game, the Marauders responded with a pair of scores. Nelson tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the game to Jaden Andresen from 5 yards out at 6:57 of the 3rd quarter. Despite tacking a massive hit, Andresen held on for his first collegiate touchdown. David Small Jr. then struck for a 35 yard touchdown run on the 1st play of the fourth quarter, bursting through a massive hole on the right side to score untouched to push UMary's lead to an insurmountable 45-9.

Kittner crossed the century mark for the third straight times this season. One of the nation's leading receivers finished with 125 yards and a TD on 7 receptions.

Little caught 7 passes for 84 yards and two scores. It is the second time this season he has caught a pair of TDs in a game.

Throwing for four TDs for the second time this season, Nelson was 20-for-28 in the game for 249 yards.

David Small Jr. rumbled for 130 yards on the ground in only 14 carries.

Isaiah Pittman led the Marauders with 6 tackles and tied Ty'Rhae Gibson in pass breakups with two each. Jack Barry had 1.5 tackles for loss and four total.

The Marauders forced a pair of turnovers in the game. For the third straight game UMary did not commit a turnover and is now +3 on the season.

Haidet led the SMSU offense with 147 yards rushing. He also passed for 80 yards and a score.

The Marauders held a 26-20 edge in first downs and 430-406 in total yards.

#marauders#