GLENDIVE, MT – In a week 0 meeting halfway between the two schools in Glendive, MT, a pair touchdown catches by
Karsyn Jablonski bookended the scoring for the University of Mary in a 23-10 non-conference victory over Rocky Mountain College.
Renewing a dormant rivalry between a pair of foes that last played in 2005, the Marauders and the Battlin' Bears played in front of a packed house in a game that featured numerous UMary ties to the Treasure State. Marauders head coach
Shann Schillinger grew up down the road in Baker, MT, four other UMary coaches either grew up in Montana or played for a Montana college, and four Marauders scholar-athletes are from the state.
Additionally Rocky Mountain head coach Randy Bandelow and offensive coordinator Nick Voorhees both coached at UMary.
Following a 21 yard burst from
Carl Henry to the RMC 20, Jablonski snared a pass from
Ryan Blair at the 11 yard line on right sideline. The senior wide receiver quickly turned downfield, eluding tacklers on the way to the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 4:15 left in the first quarter.
The two teams traded field goals in the second quarter.
Jack Henninger connected from 33 yards out with three seconds left in the half to send the Marauders into intermission with a 10-3 lead.
Taking advantage of tremendous field position after a 4-yard punt by Rocky Mountain,
Xavier Brackenridge pounded the ball home from the 1 yard line to cap a 6 play 24-yard scoring drive for a 17-3 UMary lead early in the third quarter.
Rocky Mountain immediately answered with a 68 yard scoring drive. A 2-yard Rhett Schwahn run closed the gap to 17-10.
The Marauders defense set up the final score of the game. With the third quarter winding down,
Travis Biery sacked Schwahn at the RMC 22 yard line, forcing a fumble recovered and returned by
Christopher Federico to the 14 yard line.
UMary needed just two plays to score as Blair found a diving Jablonski in the middle of the end zone from 11 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter, building the Marauders lead to an insurmountable 23-10.
The Marauders defense then took control, turning the Battlin' Bears over on downs their next three possessions. A
Justus Breston pass breakup on fourth down ended the first possession. A
Jett Solomon 4
th down sack after the Bears reached the UMary 5 yard line on the next possession finished Rocky Mountain's hopes.
Jablonski finished with 91 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches.
Blair completed 21-of-31 passes for 174 yards and two scores with no interceptions.
Henry ran for 51 yards on nine carries.
Biery dominated inside for UMary, posting three sacks, two hurries and causing a fumble. Federico led all players with 11 solo and 13 total tackles.
Cameron Brusven added nine tackles.
Defensively the Marauders held the Battlin' Bears to 267 yards while making five sacks.
The Marauders next host #3 Minnesota State University in UMary's home opener on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is 5:30 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
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