Box Score Bismarck, N.D. --- There may have been several weather delays before and during the game, but even those could not hold back a high-powered Minnesota State offense as the Mavericks ran away with a 34-21 victory against the University of Mary Saturday evening.

In total, the Mavericks gained 376 yards, through 58 plays, for an average of 6.5 yards per play. On the ground, MSU netted 127 yards to U-Mary's 22. In the air, the Mavericks threw for 249 yards, edging out the Marauders 243 passing yards.

The duo of sophomore Connor Thomas and senior Jon Wolf both notched their first rushing touchdowns of the season as they led the Mavericks with 48 and 47 yards, respectively. Wolf also completed 13-of-20 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Dennis Carter and junior Austin Rieder paced the Maverick receiving corps with 64 and 61 yards, respectively. Junior Keyvan Rudd tallied 53 receiving yards as well.

On the defensive side, the Mavericks were led by junior Kris Fleigle who tallied a team-high eight tackles. Three players including sophomore Josh Gordan, senior Chris Schaudt and sophomore Bryce Dominick each posted a sack. Junior Nathan Hancock also made his presence felt as he returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown with 6:39 remaining in the third quarter.

MSU's offensive prowess was apparent after its first two drives as it posted a pair of touchdowns, including a 23-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Kyle Riggot and a 12-yard touchdown run by Thomas.

Not to be outdone, the University of Mary answered with two touchdowns of their own during its first three drives to knot up the score at 14 heading into the second quarter.

MSU senior Sam Brockshus got the scoring in the second quarter as he notched a 45-yard field goal, with just under eight to go in the half, to give MSU the lead back at 17-14.

Two drives later, MSU struck again as Wolf connected on a 53-yard pass with Rudd to give the Mavericks a first and goal at the four. A four-yard touchdown run by Wolf capped off the two play drive as the Mavericks increased their lead by 10 at 24-14.

Still trailing by 10 in the third quarter, the Marauders drove to the MSU 37 yard line but, Hancock picked off Craig Bagnell and returned it 72 yards for the score to put the Mavericks up 31-14 with 6:32 left in the third quarter.

U-Mary was able to pull back within 10 late in the fourth quarter but that was as close as it would get as Brockshus added a 37-yard field goal to put the Maverick back up by 13 at 34-21.

The Mavericks open their home schedule Saturday, Sept. 14, as they take on Minnesota Crookston. The opening kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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