Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- In front of 6,472 homecoming fans at historic Blakeslee Field on Saturday, the Minnesota State Mavericks continued its winning ways by knocking off the Concordia University Golden Bears, 30-10, and push its record to 5-0.
 
The win marks the fourth time in program history that the Mavericks have started a season with five straight victories, its first since 2009.
 
A week after outrushing MSU-Moorhead by 300 yards, the ground game was a key again today. The Mavericks rushed for 216 yards compared to just 69 for the Bears. Redshirt-freshman quarterback #Mitch Brozovich# led the way with 23 rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt-freshman Connor Thomas added 91 yards on 12 carries including a touchdown of his own.
 
“We make our money in the run game,” said acting head coach Aaron Keen. “Those guys up front feed off that. They know that we’re going to find ways to run the football.”
 
MSU led only 6-3 at halftime. It opened up the game in the second half by simplifying its game plan.
 
The Mavericks opened the have by driving 70 yards on nine plays culminating with a Brozovich 12-yard rush for a touchdown. The drive was highlighted by a 33-yard connection from Brozovich to senior wide receiver #Adam Thielen#.
 
Thielen caught five balls on the afternoon for 89 yards, a week after being knocked out of the game early against MSU-Moorhead.
 
“It was nice to get back out there,” said Thielen. “Mitch did a great job, we missed a couple right away and then came back and put it on me all day.”
 
Two drives later, MSU put together another long drive for its second touchdown of the half which was carried by the running of Thomas. Starting from their own 21, Thomas started the drive with a 34-yard rush to the Bears’ 45. He ended the drive with a six-yard run up the middle for the touchdown. That put the Mavericks up 20-3 with 46 seconds left in the third.
 
The Mavericks defense went nearly two full games without giving up a touchdown. They shutout MSU-Moorhead a week ago and held Concordia out of the end zone until the game’s final minute.
 
“The defense has a lot of confidence,” said redshirt-freshman defensive end #Josh Gordon#. “The focus is on everybody doing their own job. We just play fast and physical and get to the ball.”
 
Gordon was the leading tackler on the day for MSU collecting eight tackles and also recording a sack and a half.
 
MSU (5-0, 5-0 in NSIC, 1-0 in NSIC South Division) travels to Sioux Falls, SD next Saturday at 1 p.m. for a game against Augustana. They return to Blakeslee on October 13 when they will entertain Southwest Minnesota State for a 2 p.m. start.

Watch the post game press conference: