MANKATO, MN – The University of Mary came a yard shy of earning the Marauders first victory of the year in a back and forth battle against 23
rd ranked Minnesota State University. A pass deflection resulting in an interception in the end zone with six seconds to play preserved a 31-28 homecoming win for the Mavericks.
Facing a 31-28 deficit after the Mavericks scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:57 to play in the game, the Marauders offense took control at their 25 yard line. On the first play of the drive, All-American quarterback
Logan Nelson was injured after a 2 yard gain and replaced by
Jesse Forknell, seeing his first action of the year.
Forknell quickly made an impact, racing 15 yards for a 1
st down. A personal foul for a late hit on the Mavericks added another 15 yards. After a 12 yard completion to
Collin Gapen, Forknell hit
Danny Kittner for a clutch 29 yard gain on a 4
th-and-10 to put the ball at the MSU 2. After a 1 yard run and an incomplete pass, Forknell's pass attempt intended for
Gabe Levy was deflected and intercepted in the end zone by Minnesota State.
All four losses by the Marauders this season have been by a single possession.
In a game of runs, the Marauders scored the first 14 points of the contest. UMary drove 75 yards on the game's opening possession with
Luke Bodine hauling in a 15 yard scoring strike from Nelson. The drive was highlighted by a 33 yard reception by
Traivon Dyson.
UMary doubled its lead to 14-0 early in the second. Starting at their own 21,
Gabe Levy set up the Marauders second score with a 44 yard run to the MSU 9 before scoring his third touchdown of the season on the next play.
After Minnesota State found its footing and rolled off 24 straight points, UMary found the end zone late in the 3
rd quarter with Kittner the featured performer. The All-American receiver caught six passes for 52 yards on the drive before throwing a 5 yard touchdown pass to Gapen.
After the Marauders defense forced a 3-and-out by the Mavericks, UMary regained the lead at 28-24 on a 21 yard touchdown run by
Dave Small Jr. as he bounced outside down the right sideline and dove into the end zone.
The Mavericks attempt to regain the lead on their next possession was denied when
Devyn Charles forced a fumble recovered by
Grant Collins at the UMary 7. Minnesota State wouldn't be denied on their next possession, though, posting the winning touchdown on a 6 yard run by Shen Butler Lawson Jr. with under two minutes left in the game.
Kittner broke the century mark for receiving yards for the third time in four games this season, catching 14 passes for 161 yards. He also passed for a 5 yard touchdown.
Gapen finished with 6 catches for 54 yards and a TD.
Small carried 19 times for 87 yards and 1 TD. Levy added 61 yards and a TD on five carries.
Nelson finished the game 23-of-35 for 271 yards and one TD with no interceptions.
Johnny Tillman led the Marauders with 12 tackles.
Ty'Rhae Gibson had an interception, a tackle for loss and seven tackles. Charles posted a sack, forced a fumble and had seven tackles.
Camden Dean was 15-of-23 for 227 yards and a touchdown for MSU. Butler ran for 116 yards.
The Marauders finished with a season-best 31 first downs and 506 yards of offense against one of the league's top defenses. UMary ran for 189 yards and threw for 317. The Mavericks posted 22 first downs and 386 yards of offense with 159 yards rushing.
UMary next returns home to host Northern State University on Saturday, Oct. 1. Game time is 2 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
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