SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State football closed out its season on Saturday suffering a 41-14 loss at the University of Sioux Falls at Bob Young Field.
 
USF, ranked No. 8 in this week's NCAA region rankings, improves to 8-3 overall, 7-3 NSIC.
 
SMSU ends its season with an 0-11 record, 0-10 NSIC.
 
USF closed the game with 448 yards of offense, which included 268 rushing yards and 23 first downs. SMSU finished with 172 yards and 17 first downs.
 
Wyatt Oak started at quarterback for SMSU and finished the game completing 17 of 46 passes for 161 yards. He also added a pair of rushing touchdowns. Oak's top targets on the day were Jake Anderson, Colin Maher and Stevie McMath, who all finished with three receptions.
 
The SMSU defense had a pair of interceptions on the day with Parker Knutson and Keshaun Reynolds each collecting one. Tate Gaul, one of 13 seniors for the Mustangs, amassed a team-high seven tackles with 1.5 for loss.
 
The game started well for SMSU as Knutson intercepted USF's Camden Dean on the game's third play to set-up the Mustang offense at the USF 12-yard line. Oak would dive across the goal line moments later to give SMSU a 7-0 advantage just two minutes into the game.
 
USF answered with a 75-yard touchdown on its next possession to tie the game at 7-7 at the 8:47 mark. On the ensuing kickoff, the Mustangs fumbled at the Cougars recovered at the SMSU 14-yard line. In just one play, USF took its first lead of the game on a Dean 14-yard touchdown run.
 
Both teams punted on their next drives before the USF defense would come through to add to the lead. With SMSU facing second-and-10 from its own 20-yard line, Oak couldn't handle a shotgun snap and USF recovered at the 2-yard line. One play later Dylan Rudningen scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to make the score 21-7.
 
USF added to the lead in the second quarter on a 50-yard touchdown pass and a 23-yard field goal to build a 31-7 halftime advantage.
 
Trailing 41-7 in the fourth, SMSU capped off a 12-play, 73-yard drive with Oak scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run.
 
Saturday was the final game for SMSU's 13 seniors which include Joe Buelow, Octavis Cherry, Cade Eddington, Johnston Freeman, Tate Gaul, Alex Maxwell, Thomas Mergen, Daniel Obwaya, Marquise Ogletree, Keshaun Reynolds, Jason Samec, Carter Schmitz and Nathan Stearns.