MOORHEAD, Minn. – MSU Moorhead used three touchdown passes from Jack Strand, while the Dragon defense forced three turnovers and recorded nine sacks in earning a 38-6 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in NSIC college football on Saturday at SCHEELS Field at Nemzek Stadium.
SMSU remains winless at 0-8 overall, 0-7 NSIC, while MSUM improves to 4-4 overall, 4-3 NSIC, earning its second straight victory.
SMSU closed the game with 241 yards of offense and 12 first downs, while MSUM finished the afternoon with 308 yards and 19 first down.
Strand, one of the top quarterbacks in Division II, completed 18 of 24 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. MSUM entered the game ranking third in the country in passing offense. Madden Thorson caught a game-high six passes for 100 yards, while Brady Perryman had six catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
SMSU starting quarterback
Kendon Krogman played in the opening half and finished 4 for 10 passing for 81 yards and one interception.
Wyatt Oak entered the game in the third quarter and completed 9 of 15 for 116 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Colin Maher led the Mustangs with three receptions for 91 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. DeNari Connors rushed for a team-high 20 yards on 12 attempts.
Amarion Meschack racked up a team-high six tackles for the Mustangs with teammates
Gideon Ervasti,
Josiah Hedensten,
Tate Gaul,
Parker Knutson and
Malachi Kohls each closing with four tackles.
Kellen Wright and
Treverran Mack each had one sack, while
Carter Schmitz and
Jason Samec combined for one sack.
MSUM opened the game's scoring with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Strand to JD Czech midway through the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. Following a field goal to close the first quarter, the Dragons added to the lead with 12:16 left in the second quarter with Perryman catching a 10-yard touchdown pass.
MSUM added a 2-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter to make the score 24-0, before the Dragon defense came through with Cody Sorenson intercepting Krogman at the 8-yard line and returned the pick 92 yards for a touchdown and extend the advantage to 31-0 at halftime.
MSUM scored on its first drive of the second half as Strand connected on a 7-yard pass to Perryman.
SMSU scored its touchdown with 8:58 left in the game with Oak tossing a 41-yard pass to Maher to cap off a 75-yard, six-play drive.
SMSU finished the game 6 of 17 on third-down conversions, while MSUM ended the game 3 for 9 on third-down.
SMSU returns home next Saturday, Nov. 2, facing the University of Mary (1-7, 0-7 NSIC) with kickoff slated for 11 a.m. at The Schwan Regional Event Center.
