Box Score
BISMARCK, N.D: The University of Mary's Mike Williams broke a tackle and scored on an 85-yard touchdown reception with 23 seconds left to give Mary a stunning 23-22 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday.
SMSU led 22-16 before punting to UMary, leaving the Marauders at their own three-yard line with 1:35 left and no timeouts. After forcing a 4th-and-1 from the 12-yard line, Mary quarterback Blair Sandy scrambled for three yards to keep the drive alive. After two incomplete passes and a holding penalty that was declined, Sandy connected with Williams for a dramatic 85-yard touchdown as Williams broke a couple tackles and out-ran the SMSU defense.
The Mustangs scored first on a one-yard run by Josh Shudlick with 9:31 left in the first quarter after Mary fumbled on a punt return following SMSU's opening drive. UM answered right back with a 4:44, 13-play, 73-yard drive capped by a one-yard run by Bayland Rippenkroeger. The Marauders scored again on a safety when Keith McCleary tackled Paul Benesh in the endzone with 17 seconds left in the first quarter.
SMSU scored two more times in the first half, the first coming when Derek Townsend recovered a Tyler Reed blocked punt in the endzone for a touchdown and the second coming when Reed returned an interception 100 yards for the longest interception return in SMSU history.
Sandy and Williams then connected on Mary's opening drive in the third quarter for a 27-yard score to make it 22-16 in favor of SMSU, which remained the score until their 85-yard strike in the final minute of the game.
For the day, SMSU forced five turnovers and blocked a punt. Robbie Slinkman and Reed each intercepted passes in the endzone to end UM drives and the Mustangs also recovered three fumbles. But two missed field goals--one off the upright and the other blocked--cost SMSU six points.
The Mustang offense did not surrender a sack and Shudlick completed 12-of-24 passes for 119 yards. Zach Wysong rushed for 69 yards on 21 carries, while Benesh gained 62 yards on 17 carries. The two each led SMSU with two receptions as well.
Slinkman paced the defense with nine tackles and an interception and a fumble recovery. Ben Adams and Tyler Fischer each had eight stops, while Fischer added a sack and a forced fumble. Reed made seven tackles, had the interception for a touchdown, blocked the punt and also recovered a fumble.
Korey Roethler had an excellent day punting the ball, averaging 40.2 yards on six kicks with three downed inside the Mary 20 yard line.
SMSU hosts Concordia-St. Paul next Saturday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. for the annual Homecoming game and Ag Bowl.
