BISMARCK, ND – Big plays on both sides of the ball led the University of Mary to a big homecoming win in the Battle for the Big Lake. A 53 yard touchdown run by Amir Bankhead and a 30 yard interception return for a score by Jakob Petry headlined the Marauders 27-23 win over visiting Minot State University.
 
Both defenses shined on a frigid day as the gametime temperature was around 20 degrees. But is was the Marauders special teams that grabbed the spotlight early.
 
Despite the cold, Jaxon Feller started the game with a bang for the Marauders, returning the opening kickoff 46 yards to near midfield. Ten plays later, Kevin Powell booted a 33 yard field goal for a 3-0 UMary lead.
 
Mason Phillips ended Minot State's first drive with a 7 yard tackle for loss on a 3^rd-and-4 play. With the Marauders unable to take advantage of the opportunity following a missed field goal, the Beavers took possession at the UMary 20. Driving 80 yards in 13 plays, MSU grabbed its only lead of the day at 7-3 early in the second quarter on a 2 yard run by Myles West.
 
The rest of the first half belonged to the Marauders.
 
Three plays into UMary's next possession, Bankhead found a massive hole on the right side of the line and sprinted 53 yards virtually untouched to regain the lead for the Marauders.
 
Two possessions later, Sofian Massoud found Traivon Dyson in the end zone from 2 yards out with 10 seconds on the game clock to send the Marauders into halftime leading 17-7.
 
After a scoreless third quarter, Powell converted a 31 yard field goal less than three minutes into the fourth quarter.
 
One play later, Petry found his way to center stage with a 30 yard interception return down the far sidelines, setting off a raucous celebration as UMary's lead grew to 27-7.  
 
Not yet out of the fight, the Beavers responded with a pair of touchdown runs, including West's second of the day to close the gap to 27-21.
 
Driving with the chance to take the lead, the Beavers reached the Marauders 19. An incomplete pass in the end zone on 4^th-and-1 turned the ball over to UMary with 51 seconds left in the game. The Marauders took a safety on the final play to account for the final score.
 
Bankhead finished the game with a career-best 79 yards on 13 carries. Andrew Trandahl added 31 yards on the ground as the Marauders ran for 101 yards.
 
Massoud threw for 146 yards and a score, completing 19-of-30 passes for 146 yards and no interceptions.
 
Jaxon Young had seven catches for 65 yards, Colin Gapen had five grabs for 39 yards, Dyson generated 39 yards and one touchdown on four catches.
 
In addition to his 46 yard kick return, Feller also had a 36 yard punt return.
 
Caden Green and Mason Phillips had big days up front on defense for the Marauders. Both had a sack and two tackles for loss. Green made seven tackles and Phillips six. Petry had six stops in addition to his pick-6.
 
As a whole, the UMary defense held the Beavers to 16 first downs, 25 yards passing and 236 yards rushing for 261 yards. The Marauders finished with 247 yards of offense and 13 first downs.
 
West led Minot State with 17 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Knylen Niller-Levi had three pass breakups.
 
The win was the first for UMary (1-8 overall/NSIC) this season and the first career win for Marauders head coach Shann Schillinger.
 
Minot State is also 1-8.
 
The Marauders host their third straight game on Saturday, November 4, when UMary faces Southwest Minnesota State. Game time for Senior Day is 12 noon at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
 
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