Box Score MANKATO, Minn. – Early in the second quarter, Minot State University found itself down 24-0 to No. 3 ranked Minnesota State.

But the Beavers' defense wasn't the issue, giving up just a field goal on a full drive.

Minnesota State took the 24-point lead on an interception return for a touchdown and a blocked punt for a score and used that start to roll to a 58-0 win over Minot State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football Saturday in front of 3,316 at Blakeslee Stadium.

"We had the two interceptions and the blocked punt and that's 21 points early that could have been prevented," said MISU head coach Tyler Hughes. "Those definitely hurt, but, that's what good teams do, they force those things to happen. We need to find a way to not allow the other team's pressure – and that is what that is, pressure on the passing game and pressure on the blocked punt – to happen."

The Beavers (0-3 overall, 0-3 NSIC) continued to struggle to run the ball effectively and were not good against a powerful Minnesota State rushing attack. The Mavericks held an enormous 260-63 advantage on the ground and outgained Minot State 450-217 overall.

Minot State moved the ball into the red zone twice and had the ball inside the Mavericks' 25 three times however, but were shutout for the first time since game seven last season at nationally ranked Minnesota Duluth. Minot State turned the ball over on downs and missed a field goal in the first half and had two passes batted away in the final minute in the end zone to keep the shutout intact.

"We have to be more consistent on offense and we need to find some big plays," Hughes said. "We can't just be 5 yards at a time, we need to have some big plays. I think our offense will be much more comfortable when we do that.

"That is probably one of the best teams we will ever play and we moved the ball at times, but we were only able to do it maybe two of the three plays. The one bad play was too much to overcome."

MSU's Alden Haffar connected on his first of three field goals to open the scoring at 9:27 of the first quarter. It was a six play, 56-yard drive and was just one of two drives that lasted more than two plays in the first half as Minnesota State built a 31-0 halftime lead.

"I liked how we played early and how much energy we had, but we have to find a way to not have those miscues," Hughes said. "We were positive at halftime both the players and coaches, but we didn't come out well enough in the second half to tie in with that. I didn't think we weren't down mentally at half, just didn't like where we were."

Sophomore quarterback Crosby Jensen (Salt Lake City, Utah) was 21-of-39 passing for 154 yards and was intercepted three times – two on tipped passes. He found nine different receivers – including six catches by senior Leon La Deaux (WR, Port Orchard, Wash.) – but his longest completion was 18 yards.

Seven different Minnesota State (3-0, 3-0) players scored in the win. Andy Pfeiffer had 60 yards rushing to lead the ground game, while Ricky Lloyd and Nick Pieruccini combined to go 14 for 24 for 188 yards and a TD each.

Levi Freidt (Sr., LB, Minot, N.D.) had a big game for the Beavers with 15 tackles, including two for losses. He was joined in double figure stops by Bryce Broome (So., DB, Port Orchard, Wash.) with 10.

Minot State will look to rebound at home with its annual Homecoming 2014 game against Wayne State College starting at 2:30 p.m. at Herb Parker Stadium.