Box Score

MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State held the Wolves to just 212 yards of total offense – 106 on the ground, 106 through the air – while racking up 485 yards of their own in a 32-10 victory over Northern State in a battle of cross-divisional Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rivals on Saturday afternoon in MSU's Blakeslee Stadium.

The match-up marks the start of NSIC play for both teams.  NSU, winners over Southwest Minnesota State in a non-conference season opener last weekend, fell to 1-1 overall, while the Mavericks also moved to an even 1-1 on the young season.

MSU quarterback Jon Daniels completed 13 of 19 passes for 236 yards and a TD, but the Mavericks did most of their damage on the ground, grinding out 40 plays for 222 yards and three more touchdowns.  MSU scored on runs of eight, eight and five yards and held onto the ball nearly seven minutes longer than their counterparts.

The Wolves cracked the scoreboard in the third quarter on a 33-yard Felipe Alfaia field goal, but did not find the end zone until the fourth quarter when senior quarterback Nick Wanner ran it in from eight yards out to make it a 29-10 game.

MSU tacked on a field goal in the final two minutes of the game for the final 32-10 score.

Northern State was able to hold the Mavericks to just one score through the first quarter and a half of play, but the Mavericks scored twice in less than three minutes midway through the second quarter to swing the momentum firmly in their favor.  Sophomore back-up quarterback Jon Wolf scored on an 8-yard run to cap a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ate up more than six minutes of play.

MSU then forced the Wolves into a 3-and-out possession, and struck on the third play of their ensuing drive when Daniels hit LaMark Brown on a 70-yard TD pass that turned a 7-0 game into a 19-0 lead.  Daniel Padilla's PAT attempt missed on both second-quarter TD's.

Senior Chad Morrison had eight carries for 58 yards to lead the NSU ground attack.  Wanner completed 10 of 23 passes for 106 yards, but was intercepted for the first time this season on the Wolves' first drive of the second half.

Juniors Chris Morton and Mark Hanley caught three passes apiece, finishing with 33 and 25 yards, respectively.

MSU freshman Andy Pfeiffer cracked the 100-yard barrier for the Mavericks, carrying the ball 14 times for 111 yards.  Brown finished just shy of that mark through the air, catching four passes for 95 yards, aided in large part by his 70 yard TD scamper.

The Wolves remain on the road next weekend, traveling to Concordia-St. Paul to take on the Golden Bears in a match-up of NSIC North Division opponents.  Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m.