Box Score MINOT, N.D. – Just about three quarters into Minot State University football's first foray into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference the Beavers were hanging around.

Minnesota State University Mankato led 23-10 with a little over three minutes to play in the third quarter and Minot State looked to have stopped the Mavericks as a field goal attempt sailed wide.

But the Beavers were whistled for an offside call and one play later MSU's Jon Wolf scampered in from 11 yards out to extend the Mavericks' cushion.

Minnesota State rolled from there as they topped the Beavers 44-10 in Minot State's first ever NSIC contest played in front of 2,320 fans at Herb Parker Stadium.

“I thought our defense kept us in it and gave us a chance to be successful,” said Minot State head coach Paul Rudolph. “Up through the third quarter and right up to that 5-yard penalty. We kind lost our sails after that.”

While Rudolph was happy with his defense, he wasn't pleased with the offense as the Beavers were held to just 33 yards overall in the game and minus-(-43) yards rushing.
“We were anemic on offense,” Rudolph said. “At times we were out physicaled in the running game, but we didn't get anything going in the passing game either.”

Minot State (0-1 overall, 0-0 NSIC North) took a 7-3 midway through the first quarter as junior receiver Glyn Borel (San Jose, Calif.) hauled in a 6-yard TD from Bryce Jorgenson (So., QB, West Fargo, N.D.). The touchdown drive was set up by Borel, who returned the kickoff 80 yards to the MSU 10.

The Mavericks (1-0, 0-0 NSIC South) scored the game's next 20 points to take a 23-7 lead as Taylor Brookins plunged in from 3-yards out,  Bryce Dominick scored on a fumble by Minot State in the end zone and two field goals by Sam Brockshus.

Minot State countered with a long field goal by freshman Aaron La Deaux (K/P, Port Orchard, Wash.) just before the half. LaDeaux drilled a 49-yarder, the longest field goal for the Beavers in at least nine years.

“We felt we had a shot at 23-10. Anything could happen,” Rudolph said. “But with good football teams, you can't continue to do some of the things we were doing. They will make you pay. It is as much mental as physical and we didn't win the mental game.”

Minnesota State's offense rolled to 401 yards total offense, including a total of 241 yards rushing. Connor Thomas and Wolf gained 81 and 80 yards on the ground respectively for MSU. Wolf finished the night 12 of 23 passing for 116 yards as well.

Jorgenson was 9-for-18 passing for 46 yards and two interceptions to go along with the touchdown pass. He was replaced late in the game by true freshman Zac Cuhna (Rocklin, Calif.) who completed his only pass in five attempts on his first collegiate throw – a 30-yarder to Borel.

“We knew that it was possible this was going to happen,” said Rudolph of freshman Cuhna playing. “I thought there were too many situations where I had watched that same thing a year ago and I wasn't going to watch it again.”

Minot State heads out on the road for its first away NSIC game, traveling to Wayne State College Sept. 8.