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MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State rushed for 350 yards, its highest total in five seasons and just eight yards shy of a school record, rolling to a 49-14 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference over MSU Moorhead on Saturday night in Marshall.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for SMSU, which improves to 3-3 overall, 2-3 NSIC. MSU Moorhead falls to 2-4 overall, 2-3 NSIC. It was SMSU's third straight victory over MSUM.

Warren Matthews led SMSU with a career-high 149 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 14 carries, while Gannon Moore gained 118 yards rushing on seven attempts. It was the first time SMSU had two 100-yard rushers in a single-game since Oct. 6, 2007, versus Concordia.

SMSU finished a season-high 580 yards of offense, it first 500-yard plus game since Sept. 19, 2009, versus Upper Iowa.

SMSU quarterback Ryan Ratekin completed 14 of 23 pass attempts for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Ratekin has now tossed 46 career touchdowns in 17 games and moves into a tie for sixth with Rob Fagnan on the SMSU career passing touchdowns list.

The game started slowly for SMSU as MSU Moorhead took opened the game with a 48-yard kickoff return by Brandon Thompson setting up the MSUM offense at the SMSU 37-yard line. The Dragons took advantage of the field possession and took a 7-0 lead on a Kevin Koch 20-yard touchdown pass to Nick Scharph with 12 minutes and 58 seconds left in the opening quarter.

SMSU then fumbled on its first play from scrimmage with the Dragons recovering at the MSUM 44-yard line. MSUM picked up one first down, but the SMSU defense stiffened forcing a Dragon punt.

Following a three-and-out by the SMSU offense and a 24-yard punt return by MSUM's Kendall Hendon, the Dragons started its third drive of the game at the SMSU 28-yard line. Following a nine-yard run, the SMSU defense made its first big play of the game as Curt Gosser intercepted Koch in the end zone to end the scoring threat.

The Mustang offense then took charge and tied the game on its next drive moving 80 yards in seven plays with Ratekin connected with Nate Finkey on an 18-yard touchdown pass with 4:39 remaining in the quarter. The touchdown reception for Finkey was the first of his career.

MSU Moorhead attempted to break the tie on its ensuing possession moving to the SMSU 13-yard line, but Wes Kramer's 30-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Mark Schollmeyer to keep the score tied at 7-7.

SMSU once again took advantage and quickly took its first lead of the game as Matthews broke free on a 69-yard touchdown run, his longest rush of his career, to give SMSU a 14-7 lead with 14:12 left in the half.

Kramer missed a 29-yard field goal attempt ending MSUM's next drive and again the Mustangs responded with another 80-yard drive, this time using nine plays, with Matthews plowing in from three yards out with 5:39 on the clock to push the lead to 21-7.

MSU Moorhead punted on its next possession and SMSU quickly added to the lead on its next possession as Ratekin fired a 13-yard touchdown pass to Lester Lewis with 55 seconds left in the half to build a 28-7 halftime lead.

MSUM had great field position the entire first half, starting three drives on the SMSU side of the field, but the Mustang defense held strong forcing a turnover and three missed field goals on eight MSUM possessions.

SMSU struggled to start the second half, punting and turning the ball over on an interception on its first two possession, but the Mustangs were able to add to the lead late in the third quarter as Ratekin tossed a four-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Kosminskas, his first career touchdown reception, with 4:04 on the clock to make the score 35-7.

SMSU pushed the lead to 42-7 on the second play of the fourth quarter as Matthews scored on a three-yard touchdown run with 14:19 left in the game. The SMSU scoring was capped later in the quarter as Phil Briedall scored on a six-yard touchdown run with 4:03 on the clock to make the score 49-7.

MSUM closed out the game's scoring with a Bryson Pluta 14-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Small with 1:03 remaining.

Joe Stupka and Jason Fernholz paced the SMSU defense with nine tackles apiece, while Tyree Dickson added eight tackles.

Brett McWilliams paced the Dragons with 59 yards rushing on eight attempts. Small finished with four receptions for 42 yards and one touchdown.

SMSU will now embark on a two-game NSIC road trip starting next Saturday, Oct. 16, at St. Cloud State (5-1, 5-0 NSIC) starting at 1 p.m.