MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State's Lucas Fisher intercepted a Minot State pass at the 1-yard line with no time remaining on the clock and the Mustangs held on to defeat Minot State 28-20 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game on Saturday at Mattke Field.

Trailing 28-20, Minot State took over on its own 24-yard line with 1:28 to play in the game. Quarterback Zac Cunha connected with Taylor Maloney for 11 yards on a third-down play giving the Beavers a first down on their 35-yard line with 1:13 remaining in the game.

Cunha then found Ryan Fila at midfield for a 15-yard gain and another MSU first down with 1:02 to play. The Beavers moved into Southwest Minnesota State territory on the next play when Cunha connected with Fila for 18 yards to the SMSU 32-yard line.

Following an incompletion, Cunha connected with Larry Overstreet out of the backfield for a 12-yard gain which moved the ball to the Mustangs 20-yard line.

On third down, Cunha hit Lavante Bushnell for nine yards to the Mustang 11-yard line but Fisher intercepted the Beavers fourth-down pass to end the game.

Cunha finished the game 15-of-33 for 232 yards and two scores for Minot State. Bushnell finished with four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown, while Leroy Arnold caught two passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Donnell Vercher and Bryce Broome each had 13 tackles to lead the way for the Minot State defense, while Justin Gonzales added nine tackles. Elijah Mosley had five tackles including a quarterback sack.

Ashanti Payne and Max Simmons each topped 100 yards rushing for the Mustangs. Payne finished with 148 yards and three touchdowns, while Simmons had 126 yards and one touchdown.

Connor Wilkie replaced injured starter Blake Gimbel at quarterback and was 13-of-21 for 95 yards.

The Mustangs took the opening kickoff and drove to the Minot State 1-yard line, but Matt Marler stuffed Payne for a loss of one on fourth down to thwart the drive.

After forcing a punt on the Beavers first possession, the Mustangs cashed in on their next drive to get on the scoreboard. Simmons scored from two yards out giving the Mustangs a 7-0 lead with 4:46 remaining in the opening quarter.

Kiante Goudeau intercepted his second pass of the season on the Mustangs next drive giving the Beavers possession at the Southwest Minnesota State 46-yard line.

Cunha connected with Arnold for a 25-yard scoring strike to tie the score at 7-7 with 10 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Taking over on its own 33-yard line following a Southwest Minnesota State punt, Minot State put together a six-play, 67-yard drive capped by Cunha finding Bushnell for a 19-yard scoring strike. The touchdown gave the Beavers a 14-7 lead with 10:26 remaining in the second quarter.

The Mustangs responded on their next drive as they drove 55 yards in nine plays and Payne rushed in from six yards out to knot the score at 14-14 with 7:26 to play before halftime.

Minot State answered right back on its next drive as the Beavers put together a 76-yard drive to take a 20-14 lead. Hayden Van Winkle ripped off a 28-yard run during the drive and Overstreet found the end zone from two yards out putting the Beavers in front.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, but the Mustangs went back in front early in the fourth quarter.

Southwest Minnesota State drove 51 yards in 10 plays capped by Payne scoring from the 5-yard line giving the Mustangs a 21-20 lead with 12:39 to play in the game.

Southwest Minnesota State extended its lead late in the fourth quarter when Payne scored his third touchdown of the night, this one from 20 yards out, giving the Mustangs a 28-20 lead with 2:48 to play in the game.

Minot State took over on its own 31-yard line following the kickoff, but Cunha was intercepted at the Southwest Minnesota State 45-yard line.

The Beavers forced a three-and-out on the Mustangs next drive to set up the potential game-tying drive for Minot State.

Minot State returns home next Saturday (Sept. 23) to host Winona State for Homecoming with a scheduled 2 p.m. kickoff.