BISMARCK, ND – Despite an early shot to the jaw, the University of Mary football team rebounded to throw a scare into visiting Davenport University. Ranked 13^th in the nation, the Panthers were unable to pull away from the hard-charging Marauders in a 44-34 victory for the visitors.
 
In the first meeting between the two schools and the Marauders (0-8 overall, 0-7 NSIC) first non-conference game since 2011, the Panthers (7-0, 3-0 GLIAC) scored the first 19 points of the game, including a fumble returned for a touchdown.
 
The Marauders regrouped and scored 17 points in the second quarter. Jaxon Young caught a 15 yard scoring strike from Sofian Massoud before a Kevin Powell 26 yard field goal closed the gap to 19-10.

After a Caleel Jenkins 1 yard touchdown run for the Panthers with 90 seconds left in the first half, the Marauders drove 74 yards on 10 plays in only 84 seconds. With three seconds remaining before intermission, the Marauders closed within 26-18 on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Massoud to Traivon Dyson. It was a team-high 5^th touchdown catch of the season for Dyson. Massoud then hit Mujeeb Rufai for a 2-point conversion.
 
Jason Stoddard further turned the tide towards the Marauders when he forced and recovered a Panthers fumble at the Davenport 27 yard line. After a 21 yard connection with Dyson, Massoud finished the drive on the next play with a 6 tard touchdown run to the right pylon. After missing to convert the extra point, the Marauders found themselves trailing just 26-24.
 
The two teams continued to score. Each time the Panthers attempted to separate, the Marauders responded. After a Davenport touchdown, Powell followed with a 29 yard field goal early in the fourth period to keep UMary within 33-27.
 
Davenport moved its lead to 41-27 on a Jason Whittaker 1 yard run. Not yet finished the Marauders came back with a 13 play 77 yard drive that ended with Sean Saise hauling in a 13 yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone from Massoud, closing the gap to 41-34 with 3:47 to play. It was the first Marauders touchdown for Saise.
 
It was as close as the Marauders would come. A missed chance on an onside kick set up a field goal for the Panthers that provided the final margin and sealed the game.
 
Massoud keyed the Marauders attack as he threw for three touchdowns and ran for a score. He finished 28-of-55 for 267 yards. Massoud also ran for 46 yards.
 
Amir Bankhead added 35 yards rushing. Dyson caught eight passes for 80 yards and a score. Jaxon Young finished with 43 yards receiving and a score on six catches. Andrew Trandahl had five catches for 61 yards out of the backfield. Rufai, one of the nation's leaders in receptions, had five catches for 53 yards.
 
In addition to connecting on both his field goal attempts, Powell averaged 44 yards per punt on five attempts. He downed two inside the 20 and boomed one punt 66 yards.
 
Jaxon Feller had 96 combined yards on returns, including a 37 yard kick return.
 
Reginald Morrow led UMary with seven tackles and a pass breakup. Stoddard had five tackles and a fumble recovery. Grant Collins had two tackles behind the line and Vegas George produced the lone sack of the game for the Marauders.
 
Myren Harris ran for 139 yards on 13 carries for the Panthers. Whittaker passed for 218 yards and a touchdown and scored twice.
 
Next up for the Marauders is their 2023 homecoming game against Highway 83 rival Minot State University. The Battle for the Big Lake commences at 12 noon on Saturday, October 28, at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
 
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