SIOUX FALLS, SD – Playing their first road game of the season, the University of Mary football team battled until the closing seconds of a wild 35-33 loss to the University of Sioux Falls.  
 
Behind big plays in all aspects of the game that included an 89 yard kickoff return for a score by Andrew Trandahl and touchdowns running and passing, the Marauders scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes and had possession of the ball in the final minute for a frenetic finish in the Northern Sun contest.
 
The Marauders stunned the Cougars on the opening drive of the game as Jeremiah Moore scored on a 45 yard to give UMary a quick lead.
 
USF immediately responded with a 72 yard scoring drive to pull even at 7-7. The Marauders regained the lead at 10-7 as Kevin Powell converted a 30 yard field goal to wrap up a methodical 15 play, 62 yard drive.
 
Once again USF drove the field, moving 75 yards in seven plays to gain a 14-10 lead two plays into the second quarter.
 
Trandahl made his presence felt in the subsequent kickoff. Taking the ball at his 11 yard line on the right hashmarks, the Marauders sophomore running back started forward before a huge lane emerged towards the middle of the field. Cutting to his left, Trandahl shot through the opening before hitting the left sidelines at midfield and running away from all pursuers. The 89 yard kick return is the longest play in his career and his first collegiate touchdown.
 
The lead was short-lived as USF quickly scored twice to gain a 28-17 lead.
 
Taking advantage of Justus Breston's third interception of the season, the Marauders drove to the Cougars 8 yard line before Powell knocked through a 25 yard field goal with 25 seconds left in the first half to send UMary into intermission down 28-20.
 
Neither team scored in the third quarter to set up a wild fourth. USF's lead grew to 35-20 on Camden Dean's fourth touchdown pass of the day but the Marauders responded with a fury.
 
Facing a 4^th and 5 at the USF 31, Sofian Massoud hit Trandahl for a 7 yard gain with another 12 tacked on for a rouging the passer penalty on USF. Three plays later Massoud scored on a 2 yard run but a 2-point conversion failed to leave UMary down 35-26 with 6:29 to play.
 
A perfectly executed onside kick was recovered by Kevin Butler at the USF 30. Keyed by an 18 yard reception by Mujeeb Rufai, the Marauders climbed within 35-33 when Rufai caught a 6 yard touchdown pass from Massoud with 5:07 remaining in regulation.
 
Following a pair of first downs by USF, the Marauders forced the Cougars to punt but the ball was downed at the UMary 1 yard line with 53 seconds left. Rufai caught a 10 yard pass on first down to give UMary some breathing room but the Marauders hopes for a comeback ended on the next play when Sioux Falls intercepted a pass with 40 seconds on the clock.
 
Massoud passed for a career-high 305 yards, completing 32-of-48 passes. He both threw and ran for touchdowns and finished with 31 yards on the ground.
 
Rufai caught 12 passes for 124 yards and scored a touchdown for the second straight game. Karsyn Jablonski added seven catches for 103 yards. Luke Bodine added six grabs for 47 yards.
 
Moore finished with 51 yards rushing and a touchdown on three carries.
 
Christopher Federico led the Marauders with 10 tackles (nine solo). Tuakoi Mahe had six stops with one for loss.
 
Dean ran for 72 yards and completed 18-of-25 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns to lead USF. Carter Slykhuis caught eight passes for 178 yards and one score.
 
The Marauders (1-2, 0-2 NSIC) rolled up 21 first downs and a season-high 393 total offensive yards, including 92 on the ground. The Cougars (3-0, 2-0 NSIC) finished with 22 first downs and 468 yards of offense.
 
UMary returns home to host the University of Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, September 21. Kickoff is set for 2 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl. Tickets are available online at www.UMaryTickets.com.
 
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