MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University football team closed the season with a dominating performance on both sides of the ball in earning a 28-10 victory over the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday afternoon at The Schwan Regional Event Center.
SMSU, which halted a nine-game losing streak, finished the game with 427 yards of offense, while the defense recorded four interceptions and the special teams blocked a USF punt. The Mustangs close the season 2-9 overall, 2-8 NSIC.
SMSU dominated time of possession, closing the game with a 38-22 minute advantage. The Mustang defense limited the Cougars to 1 of 9 on third-down conversions and 1 of 3 on fourth-down.
The victory was also SMSU's first over USF since the Cougars moved to the Division II level, snapping a 10-game losing streak.
USF, which finishes the season 3-8 overall, 3-7 NSIC, closed the game with 351 yards and 15 first downs.
SMSU quarterback
Tomele Staples made his first career start and finished the game completing 11 of 21 passes for 152 yards, while rushing for 72 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries.
Donald Austin led the SMSU rushing attack with a season-high 184 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries.
Jake Anderson caught four passes for 63 yards with teammate
Colin Maher added three receptions for 37 yards to pace the SMSU receiving corps.
Jalani Jefferson paced the SMSU defense with a pair of interceptions, while
Amarion Meshack and
Jordan Ellis also had an interception for the Mustang defense.
Gideon Ervasti racked up a team-high nine tackles and had one pass break-up for the Mustangs.
Dylan Rudningen led the Cougars offense with 103 yards rushing on 11 carries. Quarterback Camden Dean was held to 5 of 12 passing for 36 yards and was intercepted three times, while also rushing for just 47 yards on eight carries. He entered the game averaging 202 yards passing and 69 yards rushing per game.
USF opened the game with the ball, but on the fourth play of the game Jefferson recorded his first interception ending the USF drive at the SMSU 23-yard line.
The SMSU offense would respond picking up four first downs with Staples capping the drive with an electric 43-yard touchdown run to close an eight-play, 77-yard drive.
USF went three-and-out on its ensuing possession and SMSU would take advantage once again to expand the lead. Staples completed a clutch 15-yard pass to Maher on third-and-12 and midfield to keep the drive alive and one play later Staples sprinted on a 29-yard run to the USF 6-yard line. Austin capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown to make the score 14-0 with just over three minutes left in the opening quarter.
USF would make the score 14-3 with a field goal early in the second quarter, but SMSU would answer right away scoring its third touchdown of the game as Austin closed the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run at the 11-minute mark.
Leading 21-3 at halftime, SMSU opened the second half with the ball and promptly marched 73 yards on 12 plays, taking more than seven minutes off the clock, with Austin plowing in on a 2-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 28-3.
SMSU would maintain the 25-point lead until midway through the fourth quarter until USF's Adam Mullen completed a 65-yard touchdown pass to Darfnell Gouin with 6:27 remaining in the game.
SMSU would recover the ensuing on-side kick and the Mustangs were able to secure the victory.
Today's game was the final collegiate game for SMSU seniors,
Jordan Ellis,
Bradley Gould,
Cam Irvin,
Albert Lemon,
Evan Oetter,
Marquise Ogletree,
Peter Osman,
Dustin Pampel and
Khalif Spry.
