MANKATO, MN – After a 3-0 start to the season, Minot State football picked up their first defeat of the 2024 campaign. The Beavers fell 40-6 to Minnesota State - Mankato on the road Saturday afternoon.

The Mavericks improved to 4-0 on the year and 3-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, while the Beavers fell to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in conference matchups.

Sam Buckhanan paced the Beavers rushing attack by accumulating 57 yards over the course of the game, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Blake Espino also added 26 yards on the ground.

Carson Chrisman's most prolific target in the ballgame was Jonathan Noriega, who caught one pass for 24 yards.

Isaak Guzman showed out for the Minot State defense, totaling seven tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one sack. Tyson Ruzicka picked up his first collegiate touchdown on a 2-yard run, which ended as the lone Beaver score.

Coach Shields' post-game reaction:

"Minnesota State is an outstanding football team. There are not many holes in that lineup on either side of the ball, just a mature and complete football team. That's a squad that is capable of competing for a National Championship, they are that good."

Despite the challenging matchup that Mankato presented, coach Shields believes his squad can bounce back and take this game as an opportunity to learn and grow.

"We are capable of playing better than we did today. There are valuable lessons to be learned, and we must grow from this experience. I expect us to circle the wagons and regroup, we have a great opportunity in front of us next week back home versus an outstanding Sioux Falls squad."

How It Happened
After Minnesota State jumped out to a 26-0 lead, Minot State scored with 4:58 left in the third quarter to narrow the margin to 26-6. Minot State didn't score again in the game and Minnesota State added 14 more points to finish off the scoring.

Game Notes
» Minnesota State outgained Minot State 503-232 in the contest.
» Minot State tallied 6 points in the third quarter, accounting for 100% of their total score.
» Minot State converted 2 of 12 third downs while Minnesota State was successful on 7 of 12.
» Kevin Speed led the Beavers with eight tackles.
» Minot State went 2-for-4 on fourth down, converting on 50 percent of attempts.
» Minot State won the time of possession battle 32:54 to 27:06.
» Hayden Ekern led the Mavericks passing attack, completing 14 of his 19 attempts for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
» TreShawn Watson was Minnesota State's leading receiver with 144 yards and two touchdowns.

This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.