Football ready to take their talents to Moorhead

After defeating St. Cloud State on Homecoming, the team looks to tame the Dragons on the road

Kolby Spomer
Staff Writer

The 2018 season has been everything the Mavericks have wanted and more. As Minnesota State improved their record to 5-0 last weekend after its 45-10 win over St. Cloud State on Homecoming, they now march to Moorhead, MN to take on the Minnesota State University, Moorhead Dragons.

As a team, the Mavericks are averaging 41.8 points and 476.8 yards of offense a game this season. In comparison, opposing teams are only averaging 18.6 points and 307.4 yards of offense a game against the Mavericks this season.

One player that’s helped the Mavericks this season has been junior tailback Nate Gunn. He has led the MSU rushing attack with 530 rushing yards and nine touchdowns so far on the season. 

Sophomore tailback Justin Taormina has done his part as a solid change-of-pace back for the team, amassing 228 rushing yards and a touchdown, while fellow sophomore quarterback JD Ekowa has rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 846 yards and five touchdowns this season. He is averaging a respectable 169.2 passing yards a game and has completed a cool 63.4% of his passes so far this season.

On the other side of the ball, junior Alex Goettl leads the stout Maverick defense with 28 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 3.0 sacks. Goettl is also coming off a strong performance against St. Cloud State, in which he had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception in the game.

Because of his performance, he was named NSIC Defensive Player of the Week. 

Sophomore Chance Bowen has tallied 14 tackles, including six for a loss and five sacks as well. Sophomore Cade Johnson has recorded an impressive 26 tackles, including three for a loss.

For the Mavericks, their opponent, the MSU-Moorhead Dragons, are coming off a win against Upper Iowa 17-13 on the road, improving their record to 4-1 on the season. 

As a team, the Dragons are averaging a startling 29.6 points and 390 yards of offense per game this season. The Dragon offensive unit is averaging 172.6 rushing yards and 217.4 passing yards a game.

Quarterback Jakup Sinani has thrown for 830 yards and eight touchdowns this season, while completing 62% of his passes. Grady Bresnahan has caught a whopping 32 passes for 294 yards and a touchdown, while Jake Richter has caught 24 passes for 454 yards and six touchdowns.

Tailback Zach Simons has rushed for a team leading 265 yards and five touchdowns this season. Denver Colgrove complements this, having rushed for 205 yards and a touchdown as well.

Aaron Doan has secured a team-best 46 tackles, while Deiondre Taylor has recorded 34 tackles and three interceptions. Darius Woods-Steichen has notched seven tackles for a loss and five sacks as well.

The teams will square off against each other in Moorhead, MN this Saturday at 2 p.m.

Feature photo by Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter.