ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Senior Ray Watkins caught four passes for 68 yards, but Darnell Rolle rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown leading Concordia-St. Paul to a 24-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory over Minot State in the season opener for both teams on Thursday at Seafoam Stadium.

The Beavers, who dropped to 0-1 on the season, held an 18 to 15 advantage in first downs but failed on three trips inside the red zone while the Golden Bears converted four of their five trips into the red zone into points. Concordia-St. Paul also held a 367-239 advantage in total yards for the game.

Minot State had two opportunities to score in the first quarter, but came away empty on both chances. The Beavers took the opening kickoff and drove to the Golden Bear 9-yard line on a methodical march down the field, but a sack and an incomplete pass forced a field goal opportunity which sailed wide.

After forcing a punt on the Golden Bears first possession of the game, Lane Torgerson returned the punt 35 yards to set up the Beavers in Concordia-St. Paul territory. The Beavers moved the ball to the 22-yard line before the drive stalled and another field goal attempt was wide.

The Beaver defense turned away Concordia-St. Paul on the Golden Bears next drive as Kolby Lang and Reginald Desronvil stuffed Rolle on a 4th-and-1 play to keep the game scoreless.

Concordia-St. Paul broke through on its next drive as it went 78 yards in six plays capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass from Maxon Hutton to Marcus Gustaveson giving the Golden Bears a 7-0 lead with 7:13 to play in the second quarter.

Minot State had a chance to get on the scoreboard late in the second quarter after Kywan Owens intercepted a pass at the Concordia-St. Paul 44-yard line. The Beavers gained two first downs, but turned the ball over on a fumble to close out the first half.

Concordia-St. Paul quickly upped the lead to 14-0 by taking the opening drive in the third quarter and marching 75 yards in four plays capped by Rolle scoring from eight yards out.

A field goal by Jonas Schenderlein increased the Golden Bears lead to 17-0 with 10:39 to play in the third quarter before Minot State put together another long drive.

Starting on their own 25-yard line, the Beavers moved the ball to the Concordia-St. Paul 13-yard line, but a run for no gain, a sack and an incomplete pass forced another field goal attempt which was blocked.

Concordia-St. Paul tallied the final points of the game early in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard scoring scamper from Shaq Johnson to push the lead to 24-0.

Zac Cunha finished the game 15-of-35 for 175 yards, while Larry Overstreet had 55 yards rushing for the Beavers. Lavante Bushnell added four receptions for 34 yards and Taylor Maloney and Overstreet each had a pair of catches.

Bryce Broome led the Minot State defense with nine tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, while Kiante Goudeau and Donnell Vercher each had eight tackles.

Minot State will open the home portion of its schedule on Saturday (Sept. 9) when it hosts Augustana at 1 p.m. in Herb Parker Stadium.