Box Score
CROOKSTON, MINN.: The Southwest Minnesota State defense made a goal line stand on the game's final play to preserve a dramatic 20-15 victory over Minnesota, Crookston in the Northern Sun Conference opener for both teams in windy Crookston, Minn.
The victory for SMSU snapped a six-game losing streak that dated back to last season and now gives SMSU an overall record of 1-2, 1-0 NSIC. UMC with the loss falls to 1-1 overall, 0-1 NSIC.
SMSU, which held a 17-6 lead in the second quarter, saw UMC rally to within 17-15 midway through the third quarter before SMSU's Scott Talcott booted a key 31-yard field goal with 2:04 left in the game to push the SMSU lead to 20-15.
UMC took over the ball at its own 28-yard line with just under two minutes left in the game and moved the ball down to the SMSU 30-yard line with under a minute remaining in the contest for a chance for the victory. After a UMC penalty, two incomplete passes and a 1-yard run, UMC faced 4th and 14 from the SMSU 34-yard line with 11 seconds left in the game. UMC needed a miracle and quarterback David White nearly delivered as he tossed a Hail Mary that was caught by Jabari Williams at the 1-yard with just four seconds left. UMC, with no timeouts left in the game, then attempted a run from the 1-yard line but SMSU's Levi Bullerman stuffed UMC running back Eric John for a 2-yard loss to preserve the SMSU victory.
SMSU running backs Paul Benesh and Zach Wysong had outstanding games for the Mustangs as each went over 100 yards rushing, becoming the first SMSU backs to reach 100 yards rushing in one game since Oct. 23, 1999. Benesh rushed 19 times for 119 yards and one touchdown while Wysong carried the ball 22 times for 118 yards.
After UMC took a 6-0 lead on a touchdown on the game's opening drive, SMSU answered back with a Scott Talcott 48-yard field goal with 34 seconds left in the first quarter to pull within 6-3. Benesh then scored on a 10-yard run with 7:30 left in the second quarter capping a 9-play drive that covered 80 yards to give SMSU a 10-6 lead. SMSU then extended the lead to 17-6 late in the first half as Josh Shudlick connected on a 7-yard touchdown pass to Matt Fischer with 1:41 left in the second quarter. UMC came right back before the half concluded scoring a touchdown to pull within 17-12. Following the Fischer touchdown, UMC took advantage of a short kickoff and two SMSU penalties to score its second touchdown. Facing 3rd and goal UMC was stopped short of the goal line but a personal foul was called the SMSU defense keeping the UMC drive alive with a first down. Two plays later John crossed the goal line with 12 seconds left to cut the SMSU lead to 17-12.
UMC had a chance to take the lead midway through the third quarter as the Golden Eagles' Matt Forst intercepted Shudlick to set up UMC at the SMSU 42-yard line. UMC would pick up two first downs and had 1st and goal from the 10-yard line but the Mustang defense held strong and UMC was forced to settle for a 22-yard Stan Shurson field goal with 8:51 left in the quarter.
The two teams would exchange several punts over the next 15 minutes before SMSU put together its final scoring drive taking advantage of short field and taking valuable time off the clock. Taking over at the UMC 40-yard line with 7:14 left in the game, SMSU ran off 10 plays moving the ball to the UMC 14-yard line before settling for a 31-yard Scott Talcott field with 2:04 remaining in the game.
SMSU finished the game racking up 313 yards of total offense including 233 on the ground. Shudlick completed 9 of 20 pass attempts for 80 yards and two interceptions.
Tyler Fischer and Matt Carmody led the SMSU defense with nine tackles each, while Carmody also added two tackles for loss. Ben Adams added eight tackles while Bryce Haessly recorded his second interception of the season.
Mustang punter Korey Roethler also had a solid game averaging 37.5 yards on four punts including two inside the UMC 20-yard line.
SMSU will return home next Saturday, Sept. 22 with a conference match-up with Northern State beginning at 1 p.m.
SMSU game notes: Scott Talcott booted two more field goals which moves him into a tie for third all-time in school history with 14 ... Talcott's 48-yard field goal was a career-high ... the last two SMSU running backs to rush for 100 yards in one game were Josh Schleusner (184) and Ken Sather (100) in a win over Wayne State on Oct. 23, 1999 ... Matt Carmody finished with a career-high nine tackles ... Benesh rushed for a career-high 119 yards ... today was Zach Wysong's third career 100-plus yard rushing game ... Benesh's 31-yard run in the second quarter was the longest rush for SMSU this season ... SMSU head coach Eric Eidsness recorded his 14th career victory which moves him into a tie for second in school history.
