SIOUX FALLS, SD – Tangling with nearly triple digit heat and a veteran offensive squad in the first outing of the season, the University of Mary football team held serve early before falling to homestanding Augustana.
 
The Marauders tallied once in the second half in a 38-7 loss to the Vikings in the what was also the Northern Sun opener for both teams.
 
Under a blazing sun at kickoff with the temperature reaching 99 degrees early in the first half, the Marauders forced the Vikings to punt after three plays on their first possession. Augustana then scored on its next three possessions to take a 21-0 lead early in the second while holding UMary in check.
 
Under the direction of Head Coach Shann Schillinger in his first game directing UMary, the Marauders defense found their footing again late in the second quarter. Facing a Vikings offense that returned 11 starters, Mason Phillips and Ian Kopf combined to stone Augie running back Rashad Lampkin for a loss of one on a 4^th and 1 play at the UMary 41.
 
Looking to score before intermission, Sofian Massoud scrambled for a 13 yard gain across midfield for a Marauders first down. A fumble on the next play – the Marauders only turnover of the contest – resulted in a field goal for the Vikings as time expired.
 
The game moved quickly in the second half as both teams had four possessions apiece.
 
On the Marauders first drive of the second half, all the pieces fell together for the offense as UMary marched 75 yards in seven plays for a touchdown. After Andrew Trandahl ran for 13 yards on two carries, Massoud hit Mujeeb Rufai for a gain of 10. A couple more completions – 9 yards to Traivon Dyson and 7 to Rufai – mixed in with 18 yards on four carries by Amir Bankhead, set up the Marauders touchdown.
 
Racing down the center of the field, Rufai snared a Massoud pass one-handed and powered his way to the end zone for an 18 yard touchdown reception. Kevin Powell tacked on the extra point.
 
The Marauders defense then took center stage, forcing turnovers on the next two Augie possessions. Seth Jarrett intercepted a Casey Bauman pass at the UMary to end one possession. Next Vegas George forced a Bauman fumble as the Vikings quarterback was scrambling at midfield with Kevin Butler scooping up the ball.
 
Rufai paced the Marauders offense, catching five passes for 52 yards and a score. Thirty-two of his yards came after the catch. Dyson also had five catches covering 46 yards. Overall eight Marauders caught passes from Massoud and Jesse Forknell.
 
Combined the Marauders quarterbacks finished 17-of-20 for 144 yards. Massoud was 11-of-13 for 92 yards and a score. Forknell went 6-of-7 for 52 yards.
 
Bauman completed 22-of-28 passes for 226 yards and a score plus ran 53 yards for two touchdowns to lead the Augie attack.
 
Reginald Morrow led the Marauders defense with seven tackles (five solo). Jakob Petry had a tackle for loss among his six stops. Joe Terry also had a tackle behind the line.
 
The Marauders return to Bismarck, ND, for their home opener against the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, Sept. 9. Kickoff is 2 pm between the Marauders and the Cougars at the MDU Resources Community Bowl. Tickets are available online at www.umarytickets.com.
 
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