The Mavericks stage another comeback to fourth-seeded top-ranked ThunderWolves-Minnesota State University in the second round of the NCAA Tournament

Bill Sabo, CSU Pueblo Athletics

26

winner

Minnesota St.
MSM

10-3, 7-3

23

CSU Pueblo
CSP

10-2, 9-0

winner

Minnesota St.
MSM

10-3, 7-3

26

23

CSU Pueblo
CSP

10-2, 9-0

Points by quarters

team	1	2	3	4	F
MSM Minnesota St.	3	3	0	20	26
CSP CSU Pueblo	0	13	3	7	23

Match Review: Football | 11/30/2024 8:01 p.m

PUEBLO, Colorado — It was another dramatic finish for the Minnesota State football team Saturday afternoon as the Mavericks scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to beat CSU Pueblo 26-23.

With the win, MSU improves to 10-3 on the season and will now host Bemidji State in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, December 7, at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff will be determined by the NCAA Division II Football Playoff Committee. With the loss, CSU Pueblo ends its season with a record of 10-2.

No defense allowed an offensive touchdown in the first three quarters as the ThunderWolves led 16-6 early in the fourth quarter.

MSU’s two goals in the first three quarters came on senior field goals Matthew Hunter from 29 and 41 yards away. CSU Pueblo’s Jacob Willig made three field goals from 46, 24 and 27 yards out, while Makeah Scipio returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown.

On their first drive of the fourth quarter, the Maverick offense finally reached its peak as it went 63 yards downfield, including a 36-yard touchdown pass from the senior Hayden Ekern to the senior Grant Guyett to cut CSU Pueblo’s lead to 16-13 with 9:40 left. MSU then recovered on the ensuing kickoff with a surprise onside kick to take the lead at the CSU Pueblo 44. Six plays later, the Mavericks took a 20-16 lead after Ekern scored a 15-yard rushing touchdown.

Not to be outdone, CSU Pueblo put together a six-play touchdown drive of its own, capped by a 16-yard pass from Roman Fuller to Howard Russell V, to put the ThunderWolves back up 23-20 with 4:02 left in the lead.

Trailing by three yards, Minnesota State fought downfield again, including a 20-yard pass from Ekern to the senior Gabe Hagen on fourth down before reaching the CSU Pueblo 23. Jaeger stepped in again and made his third field goal of the day, this time from 40 yards out, to tie the game at 23-23 with 1:00 left in the fourth quarter.

With 55 minutes left after the kick return to the CSU Pueblo 25, the ThunderWolves tried to respond, but on their second play of the drive from the rookie Cade Stingle intercepted a pass from Fuller and brought the ball to the CSUP 22 with 42 seconds left. Three plays later, the Mavericks moved the ball to the CSUP 15 with five seconds left. CSU Pueblo tried to beat Jaeger, but the timeout made no difference, as Jaeger put MSU up 26-23 with a 32-yard field goal with 01 left.

CSU Pueblo’s Reece Robinson was able to return the ensuing kickoff to the MSU 35 before the Mavericks knocked him down, securing the 26-23 victory.

Ekern finished his day throwing for 212 yards and a touchdown. Seven Mavericks caught at least one pass in the game, including Hagen, who rushed for 76 yards. Guyett added 66 yards and a touchdown.

Freshmen Sam Backer led the Maverick rushing attack with 65 yards, while Ekern finished with 59 yards and a touchdown. senior Christian Vasser also recorded 50 rushing yards.

Junior Karson Dunn led the Maverick defense with 10 tackles as a senior Khai West had eight tackles. Second semester Gage Tennyson added seven tackles.