BISMARCK, ND – Facing a deficit of 31 points in the third quarter, the University of Mary football team completely reversed their fortunes with a massive second half rally and forced overtime when
John Girard delivered a 22-yard field goal on one last untimed play.
But a deflected UMary pass in overtime resulted in an interception and opened the door for the University of Sioux Falls to escape with a 40-34 Northern Sun road win.
Ryan Blair headlined the Marauders comeback, pasting for three touchdowns and 372 yards. The UMary captain completed 42-of-53 passes in the game as he set personal bests for attempts, completions and yards in his Marauders career.
Blair passed for 303 yards in the second half after he was held to 69 yards through two quarters.
Three Marauders caught scoring passes, including
Karsyn Jablonski,
Ramsey Morrell and
Zavion Harildstad. For the senior Morrell and the freshman Harildstad, the touchdowns were the first of their collegiate careers.
For Jablonski, who caught a game-high nine passes for 119 yards, the touchdown was the 13
th as a Marauder.
Desmond Duffy added nine catches for 86 yards – both career highs – and
Ethan Heinrich caught seven passes for 53 yards. Overall nine Marauders made receptions in the game.
Just as the Marauders ignited in the second half, so too did the UMary defense. After allowing 226 yards before intermission, the Marauders shut down the Cougars in the second half, limiting USF to two first downs and 53 yards in the third and fourth quarters combined.
Down 31-3 at half, the Cougars kicked a 22-yard field goal with 9:40 in the third quarter to build a 34-3 lead.
UMary then started its comeback. Keyed by a 39 yard catch by Jablonski, Blair found Harildstad for a 2-yard scoring strike.
Following a defensive stop, the Marauders quickly moved 40 yards for the score with
Hudsen Sheldon finishing the drive on a 14-yard scoring run as UMary cut the deficit in half at 34-17 with 4:04 left in the third.
Another defensive stop turned into an 89-yard scoring drive for UMary. Blair capped the 13-play drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Morrell as UMary climbed with 34-24 with 10:03 to play.
Taking over at their own 42-yard line after another defensive 3-and-out, Blair and Jablonski capped the 11-play 58-yard drive with 5-yard touchdown reception. Blair sailed a pass to the back left corner of the end zone and the senior wideout from Mandan, ND, skied high above the USF defensive player to pull down a spectacular touchdown reception and bring UMary within 34-31 and 4:10 showing on the clock.
Trying to drain time while using the run, the Cougars earned a first down on their opening play before the Marauders defense stiffened. A
Sean Cotten tackle behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of three yards on second down keyed another UMary defensive stop.
Pinned back at their 16-yard line with 2:09 to play, Blair calmly moved the Marauders downfield, twice converting third downs. Forced to overcome a 2
nd-and 25, Blair connected with Jaquwan Brackenridge Jr. for 24 yards before hitting Heinrich for 17 yards on 3
rd down to the USF 30.
With time for one last play and facing a 3
rd-and-1 at the USF 9, Blair's pass fell incomplete at the goal line as time ran out on the game clock. However a USF penalty for defensive holding gave the Marauders a single untimed down at the USF 4. Girard calmly booted his second field goal of the game to earn the Marauders a chance to win in overtime.
Having possession of the ball to open overtime, the Marauders faced 3
rd-and-4 at the 19 but a deflection on the pass turned into an interception for the Cougars. Sioux Falls took advantage of the opportunity and scored four plays later as Bubba Tann III burst up the middle and entered the end zone from 8 yards out to send USF home victorious.
The Marauders finished with 24 first downs and 386 yards of offense to 16 first downs and 307 yards for the Cougars. UMary held the ball for 35:50 to 24:10 for USF.
Cameron Brusven led the Marauders in tackles with eight and
Isaac Emmel added six. Both had tackles for loss.
Tann led the USF offense with 78 yards rushing. Benett Bruek passed for 153 yards and a scored and added 40 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns.
The Marauders now head to Aberdeen, SD, on Saturday, October 26, to visit Northern State University. Kickoff is 2 pm.
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