BISMARCK, ND – Time ran out on the University of Mary's homecoming hopes in a 38-35 loss to visiting MSU Moorhead in the 19
th Battle for the Paddle trophy game. UMary scored the final 22 points of the game and had the ball at midfield with seven seconds to play but couldn't launch one final hopeful heave to the end zone as time expired.
The Marauders started fast and closed strong but a potent Dragons passing attack built up an insurmountable lead in the middle.
UMary struck first. Just three plays into the game
Abram Jopp picked off Dragons quarterback Jack Strand at the 39 MSUM 39 yard line and returned the ball to the Dragons 23 yard line. Five plays later
Xavier Brackenridge scored on a 1 yard run for a 7-0 lead at 11:23.
The Dragons immediately responded as Strand threw touchdown passes on the next two MSUM possessions to take a 14-7 lead.
Following a Dragons missed field goal, the Marauders drove to the MSUM 15 yard line and just missed tying the game when a 4
th down pass play was broken up at the goal line. MSUM responded with a field goal and led 17-7 at halftime.
The Dragons expanded their lead to 24-7 early in the third on a 40 yard fumble return for a touchdown. UMary retaliated with a 75 yard scoring drive, culminating with a 12 yards touchdown pass from
Jordan Polo Solomon to
Luke Bodine to close the deficit to 24-13.
Showing he can do more than pass, Strand increased the Dragons lead to 31-13 on a 50 yard touchdown run with just 1:24 left in the third. Another touchdown pass by Strand early in the fourth quarter put the Dragons in front with a seemingly comfortable 38-13 lead.
UMary then put on a show for the home crowd. With Polo Solomon distributing the ball to a bevy of receivers, the senior quarterback once again connected with Bodine for a scoring pass, this time a 5 yard aerial touchdown on 4
th down. Bodine then caught a 2-point extra point conversion from Brackenridge with 7:57 to play.
Two plays after the Marauders touchdown
Tuakoi Mahe forced a fumble that was recovered by
Mason Phillips at the UMary 34. Eleven plays later Polo Solomon scrambled aways from defenders before diving into the end zone with 3:58 to play and creeping within 38-28.
A perfectly executed onside kick by
Christian Jangula and recovered by
Carter Henke at the UMary 46 led to the second touchdown run on the day by Brackenridge, this time an 8 yard carry with 2:04 to play and the Marauders now just trailing 38-35.
Unable to pull off a second straight on side kick, UMary forced MSU Moorhead to give up the ball one last time when the Marauders stopped a Dragons 4
th down attempt at the UMary 23 yard line with 24 seconds left to play. Using a 22 yard strike to
Karsyn Jablonski to move to midfield, seven seconds to cover another 50 yards proved too high a wall for the Marauders to climb.
Polo Solomon passed for a career-high 284 yards, completing 30-of-42 passes for two touchdowns. He also added 11 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Brackenridge ran for 70 yards and two scores and
Hudsen Sheldon added another 33 yards on the ground.
Jablonski cracked the century mark for a second straight game and third time this season with 101 yards receiving on nine catches. Bodine hauled in eight passes for 77 yards and two scores.
Christopher Federico led UMary with eight tackles. Mahi had two tackles for loss, including one sack, forced a fumble, had two hurries and totaled five solo tackles.
Strand passed for 253 yards and three touchdowns, completing 24-of-42 passes. He also ran for 82 yards and a touchdown. Tyson Brandt carried 14 times for 90 yards. Brady Perryman caught four passes for 106 yards and a score.
One of the nation's leaders in first downs, the Marauders (3-4 overall / 2-4 Northern Sun / 1-2 NSIC North) moved the chains 28 times after setting the program's NCAA era record last weekend with 32. UMary generated 427 yards while running 92 plays, gaining 305 passing and 122 rushing. The Dragons (5-2 overall, 4-2 NSIC) had 26 first downs, ran for 174 and picked up 427 yards on 63 plays.
The Marauders are off next weekend and next visit the #10 University of Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, October 25.
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