ST. PAUL, MN – Time ran out on the University of Mary football team in a 37-34 loss at Concordia-St Paul. Needing one more possession after scoring in the final minute of play, an onside kick attempt just evaded the Marauders grasp before going out of bounds and sealing UMary's fate.
 
The Marauders found their offensive footing in the game, posting season-highs in points, first downs (24) and offensive yards (341).
 
Mujeeb Rufai had another big game for the Marauders. One of the nation's leaders in receptions, Rufai caught nine passes for a season-best 120 yards and a touchdown. Seven Marauders caught passes in the game with Traivon Dyson and Karsyn Jablonski also on the receiving end of touchdown passes.
 
Jesse Forknell and Sofian Massoud combined to throw for 261 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Forknell was 6-for-8 for 60 yards and a score before he was knocked out of the game on an illegal hit. Massoud threw for 201 yards and two scores while completing 18-of-26 passes.
 
Jeremiah Moore set a career-high with 80 yards rushing, including a touchdown.
 
The Golden Bears scored on the opening possession of the game but immediately the Marauders responded. Taking 13 plays to drive 75 yards, UMary pulled within 7-6 when Forknell hit Dyson in the end zone on a 17 yard strike.
 
The Marauders took their first lead of the day at 8:15 of the second quarter when Kevin Powell connected on a 31 yard field goal for a 9-7 UMary advantage.
 
Touchdowns on back-to-back possessions by the Golden Bears – the second following a Marauders fumble recovered at the 2 yard line – pushed Concordia-St. Paul in front 21-9.
 
With the Golden Bears looking to strike again before intermission, Abram Jopp intercepted a pass just shy of midfield and returned the ball to the CSP 28, with a facemask call on the home team placing the ball at the 14. On the Marauders first play, Massoud found Jablonski in the end zone for the freshman's first collegiate touchdown.
 
Concordia-St. Paul added a field goal as the clock expired on the first half to claim a 24-15 lead.
 
The ground game for the Golden Bears continued to excel as Troy Ellison dashed 55 yards for a CSP touchdown on their first play of the second half, moving ahead 31-15.
 
Continuing to grind, Moore scored on a 1 yard run for UMary with 2:29 left in the third quarter, wrapping up a 9 play 91 yard drive.
 
On the Marauders next possession, Powell connected for a 34 yard field goal to close the gap to 31-26 with 9:27 to play.
 
Finding more success on the ground, Concordia-St. Paul ran off nearly seven minutes on a 13 play 75 yard drive as Conner Courdts scored on a 1 yard run for a 37-26 lead with 2:34 to play.
 
Looking for a big play, the Marauders had to settle for shorter gains until Massoud sprinted for a run of 28 yards. Three plays later Rufai scored on a 9 yard pass from Massoud with 42 seconds to play. A 2-point run by Andrew Trandahl closed out the 13 play 78 yard drive that allowed the Marauders to pull within 37-34.
 
Jaylin Richardson led the Golden Bears with 172 yards rushing. All five touchdowns for CSP came on the ground as the Golden Bears ran for 295 yards. They also added 155 yards passing.
 
Mason Phillips led the Marauders defense with six tackles. Jacob Petry added five, including one for loss. Jason Stoddard and Bryce Tate each had 1.5 tackles for loss. In addition to his interception. Jopp also had five tackles.
 
The Marauders return home to host Winona State University on Saturday, October 7. Game time is 2 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
 
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