MSU football escapes tight game against USF
Nate Gunn’s historic performance allows the Mavericks to improve to 10-0
Mel Stramm
Staff Writer
The Minnesota State Mavericks football team traveled to Sioux Falls to face off against the Cougars for what turned out to be the most action-packed football game of the season.
For the second time this season, the Mavericks trailed going into halftime and struggled to move the ball, but eventually came out on top with a score of 42-39 Saturday afternoon.
Senior Nate Gunn tallied 254 rushing yards and added six touchdowns throughout the game, the most touchdowns in a single game by one player in MSU history.
Gunn accounted for every touchdown and sophomore Luke Williams was there to connect on all six extra points.
MSU scored on their first drive for Gunn’s first touchdowns of the day.
With only a minute left in the first quarter, USF got on the scoreboard with a field goal.
As the second quarter opened, the Mavericks completed an 11-play, 73-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a 10-yard touchdown run by Gunn. This put MSU up 14-3 with 12:07 left in the half.
The Panthers were quick to respond and scored two touchdowns, taking a three-point lead going into halftime.
Gunn managed to regain the lead for MSU, scoring two touchdowns from 11 and 32 yards out.
A USF 25-yard touchdown pass from Caden Walters to Collier Karnell raised the score dangerously close to 28-24 leading into the fourth quarter.
Both teams scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it was MSU who claimed the win.
On defense, juniors Brayden Thomas and Jack Leuis led in tackles with seven total each and senior Jordan Bergen recorded a sack.
Senior Ryan Schlichte rushed for 41 yards and completed 10 passes for 156 yards.
Senior Justin Arnold led the Maverick receiving corps with five catches for 82 yards.
MSU converted on 8-of-13 third down attempts and tallied 488 yards of total offense, 322 of that being rushing.
Minnesota State wraps up its regular season schedule on Saturday, as it travels to Upper Iowa. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
Header photo: Minnesota State running back Nate Gunn (23) scores a touchdown during the first quarter in a game against Wayne State College at the Blakeslee Stadium Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Mankato, Minn. Gunn set the MSU record for most touchdowns by a player in a game (6) Nov. 9 against the University of Sioux Falls. (Mansoor Ahmad/MSU Reporter)