ST. CLOUD, Minn. -- Minot State entered the final game of the 2017 season against St. Cloud State looking for some positive momentum heading into the offseason under the direction of first-year head coach
Mike Aldrich. The Beavers got exactly what they needed as junior Kiante Goudeau returned two interceptions for touchdowns and tied the school record with three interceptions overall as Minot State defeated the Huskies 23-13 on Saturday in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game in Husky Stadium.
It was a day of firsts for the Beavers program as Minot State posted a victory over a team that finished with a winning record for the first time since turning NCAA Division II in 2011. The win over St. Cloud State also marked the first time the Beavers have beaten the Huskies after entering the game with an 0-9-1 overall record. Additionally, it marked the first time Minot State posted three road victories in NSIC play and the Beavers 3-3 road record is the best since moving up to Division II.
Minot State finished the 2017 season with a 3-8 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the NSICÂ North, while St. Cloud State finished the year with a 6-5 mark and a 3-4 record in the North.
Goudeau played a major role in helping the Beavers claim their third win of the season. He returned an interception in the first quarter 30 yards for a touchdown, which increased the Beavers lead to 10-0. His second interception came midway through the fourth quarter and upped the Minot State lead to 23-7 and his final interception sealed the victory for the Beavers late in the fourth quarter. His three interceptions tied the school record previously held by Eric Henke who recorded three interceptions against Mayville State in 2008.
Sophomore JoseLuis Moreno, who was NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday, continued his brilliant play in the final two games. Moreno connected on three field goals, which tied his career high, including a career-best 48-yard field goal in the first quarter. The field ranks as the second-longest kick in Minot State history behind only the 49-yard field goal made by
Aaron La Deaux.
Minot State was outgained by St. Cloud State 438-249, but an opportunistic Beaver defense generated four turnovers which resulted in 14 Minot State points.
Minot State got on the scoreboard on its second drive of the game. Taking over on its own 44-yard line the Beavers marched 25 yards in five plays and Moreno drilled a 48-yard field goal giving Minot State a 3-0 lead with 10:14 to play in the first quarter.
After St. Cloud State blocked a Beaver field goal attempt, Goudeau intercepted Dwayne Lawhorn and returned the pass 30 yards to the end zone giving Minot State a 10-0 lead with 1:23 remaining in the opening quarter.
St. Cloud State responded on its next drive as it went 69 yards in six plays capped by a 25-yard scoring run by Curtwan Evans to cut the Minot State lead to 10-7 with 13:32 to play before halftime.
Minot State answered with a scoring drive of its own as the Beavers marched 52 yards in 12 plays and used 5:19 on the clock and Moreno upped the Beaver lead to 13-7 with a 44-yard field goal at the 8:14 mark of the second quarter.
Moreno's third field goal of the game early in the fourth quarter, this one from 24 yards out, extended the Minot State lead to 16-7 with 8:37 to play in the game.
Goudeau then upped the lead to 23-7 on the next play from scrimmage as he intercepted Lawhorn at the St. Cloud State 45-yard line and weaved his way into the end zone with 8:17 remaining in the game.
St. Cloud State answered with a touchdown on its next drive as Lawhorn connected with Tanner Teige for an 11-yard score with 5:52 to play in the game.
Goudeau then iced the game for the Beavers as he intercepted Lawhorn for the third time and returned it 56 yards to the St. Cloud State 12-yard line. Goudeau finished the game with 131 yards in interception returns.
