Mav football defeats Beavers, 62-13

Aaron Young
Staff Writer

History was almost made Saturday in Blakeslee Stadium, as the football team was 11 points away from tying a team record for most points scored in a single game, as the Minnesota State Mavericks rolled over the Minot State Beavers 62-13 and now sit at an overall record of 7-0 on the regular season.

QB JD Ekowa’s played well for the Mavericks on the day. In fact, all three QB’s on the Maverick team football threw a touchdown. 

Ekowa completed nine passes for 168 yards and 2 TD’s.

Starting QB Ryan Schilchte threw for 111 yards and two touchdowns as well on the day. 

The third-stringer, Brevin Kaiser, a freshman from Pierre, South Dakota, came in for one play and connected on a touchdown with WR Parker Gloudemans as well in the third quarter.

Junior wide out Shane Zylstra once again had a big game for the Mavs as he caught eight passes for 132 yards and 3 TD’s on the day. After the game, Shane described their offense as “very explosive” and that everything seemed to be clicking.

The defense did their part as well, forcing Minot State to punt four times during the game, and even making the Beavers turnover the ball on downs. 

Late in the third quarter, sophomore defensive end Jake Schaper recovered a fumble which ended up being the last touchdown in the game to put the Mavericks up 62-13. They also recorded a sack late in the game as well.

Just like last game, special teams contributed a touchdown as well, as sophomore tailback Justin Taormina ran 98 yards to the house for a kickoff return touchdown late in the second quarter. 

The Minot State Beavers did get two touchdowns in the game, as QB Ben Bolinkse threw two passing TD’s to Lavante Bushnell. That was all the Beavers managed to put on the scoreboard.

In a press conference after the game, head coach Todd Hoffner said he thinks this was the team’s best performance.

“I think so… we were green-lighted every phrase of the game.”

Hoffer said prior to this that watching from the sidelines, he was impressed at the production and performance of the team. 

This game wasn’t without foul play, or trash talking. Both benches were given a warning and at one point, while four penalties were given out for one play. Unsportsmanlike conduct and personal fouls were among them.  

Either way, the Mavericks blew the Beavers out of the water. Now sitting at 7-0 on the season, the Mavericks face Bemidji State this Saturday in Bemidji. It’s going to be a tough challenge for the Mavericks because the Bemidji State Beavers are undefeated at home. 

Feature Photo: Tyler Schmidt (left) runs into the endzone after catching a pass from quarterback JD Ekowa to increase the team’s lead against Minot State. (Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter)