BISMARCK, ND – One week after the University of Mary football team found itself in an offensive track meet, the Marauders came home to face Winona State University in a defensive slugfest. Despite limiting the Warriors to just three points over the last three quarters of action, the Marauders came up short 17-7 in the Northern Sun contest.
 
The 17 points was the fewest allowed by the Marauders this season and came on the heels of a 37-34 loss at Concordia-St. Paul the previous weekend.
 
Offense took center stage in the first quarter. After Winona State forced UMary to punt following the opening possession of the game, the Warriors needed just three plays to drive 64 yards as Sylvere Campbell caught a 1 yard scoring pass from Cole Stenstrom.
 
Two possessions later the Marauders produced their own quick strike scoring drive. Facing a 3^rd down and 3 from their own 41 yard line, the Marauders offensive lone created a huge hole in the middle of the line of scrimmage for Jeremiah Moore. The redshirt freshman exploded through the line and raced 59 yards untouched. Kevin Powell converted the extra point to knot the game 7-7 with 4:13 remaining in the first quarter.
 
The fast paced first quarter continued with the Warriors regaining the lead with 50 seconds left as Stenstrom hit Thomas Kiesau for a 14 yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead.
 
Defenses then stepped forward to limit scoring opportunities for both sides. In the last three quarters the Warriors advanced into Marauders territory four times and each time reaching the red zone. However the efforts resulted in just one field goal in the third quarter. WSU missed a field goal attempt in the second quarter and turning the ball over on downs at the UMary 5 with 4:47 left in the game as the Marauders kept the Warriors out of the end zone after a 1^st and goal from the 10.
 
The Marauders offense also had limited scoring opportunities, crossing midfield just twice.
 
Moore paced the Marauders attack with 69 yards on 14 carries.
 
Mujeeb Rufai, one of the nation's leaders in receptions, had another big day with seven catches for 70 yards.
 
Abram Jopp led the Marauders defense with seven solo tackles. Christopher Federico had 1.5 tackles for loss. Estevan Quintana had the Marauders lone sack. Christian Arteaga made three tackles and caught a 7 yard pass for a first down.
 
Kevin Powell had a big day punting. He averaged 48 yards on seven attempts. He had a 70 yard bomb and downed five inside the 20.
 
Stenstrom passed for 273 yards and two touchdowns to key the WSU attack. Kaleb Skelly had eight catches for 73 yards. Defensively Kyjuan Vengrowsky had 3.0 tackles for loss.
 
The Marauders next visit the University of Minnesota Duluth on October 14 before starting a run of three straight home games.
 
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