MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - (By Tom Carothers with contribution from Melissa Wolf) - A botched punt play gave the University of Mary a lead and the Marauders' passing game made sure it would stick as U-Mary defeated Northern State University 37-13 at the NSIC/Merchants Bank Metrodome Football Classic on Saturday afternoon.
Mary (7-4, 7-2 NSIC) was the beneficiary of the initial miscue of the game midway through the first quarter as Wolves punter Eric Schwan had no choice but to boot the ball out of bounds through the Northern State end zone after watching the snap from center sail over his head. Unfortunately for him and his team, the resulting penalty accounted for the rarest of football's scoring plays and a 2-0 Marauders' lead with 5:53 remaining in the frame.
Mary would add to its advantage on the ensuing drive as quarterback Blair Sandy found wide receiver Mike Williams with his first touchdown on the day, capping a 12-play, 65-yard drive with a 6-yard scoring lob that gave the Marauders a 9-0 lead with 1:14 remaining in the quarter.
Northern State (5-6, 5-4 NSIC) looked to quell the tide and put themselves on the board before the quarter ended and reached into its bag of tricks to do just that. The Wolves needed just 42 seconds to score their first touchdown of the game on a 32-yard pass from quarterback
Eric Ellingson to wide receiver
Jared Mack following a double reverse that left Mack wide open in the end zone. The score pulled Northern State to within two points at 9-7 with 27 seconds left in the quarter after a three-play, 60-yard drive.
Mary needed just 53 seconds in the third quarter to notch another score. After the Marauders defense held the Wolves to a three-and-out to open the second half, it appeared that Northern State would reply in kind when Sandy hooked up with Williams on a 92-yard scoring strike on a third-and-long to make the score 16-7 with 10:22 left in the quarter. Williams would wrap the day with 137 yard receiving – tops for either team. The Marauders notched two more touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 23-7 lead.
Northern State would not go quietly into the brisk Minneapolis afternoon, however, as Ellingson and Mack connected for the initial score of the final quarter after a 20-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-10 pulled the Wolves to within 10 at 23-13 just 42 seconds into the fourth. However, that was as close as the Wolves would get as a two-point conversion went for naught and the Marauders went on to score two more touchdowns before the game was out.
The Mary defense, which ranks best in the league, earned it's stripes on Saturday, limiting the Wolves to 344 yards and forcing four turnovers, including three interceptions and a lost fumble. Northern's defense held tough in the first half and was assisted by a multitude of UM penalties.
Ellingson threw for 341 yards and two scores on 27-of-53 passing. Mack and fellow receiver Brian Jark each hauled in six passes, with Jark amassing 115 yards to Mack's 101. Kellen Fetter was a staple of the Northern defense with a career high ten tackles. He also racked up a forced fumble, an interception, and a pass breakup. The Wolves had three sacks, one each from Bryar Johnson, Travis Frogge, and Mike Liedberg.
Neither team would have a 100-yard rusher in the contest as Mary running back Bayland Rippenkroger would top out at 79 yards to lead all ground-gainers. Zain Gower led the Wolves' backfield with 34 yards rushing.
Mary's record-holding quarterback completed 21-of-37 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns. WIlliams was the top receiver with 137 yards in five grabs and two touchdowns. The Marauders racked up 435 total yards in the game. The defensive front was led by Shawn Melland with ten tackles, a sack, and an interception.
To view and purchase action photos from the game taken by Tim Gabrielson, please visit www.thefotographers.com.
