Mavs football keeps rolling with stomp over Minot State

A beautiful fall day began the recipe for a dominant Minnesota State football win over Minot State this past Saturday. The Mavericks traveled to Minot to take on the Beavers in their fourth game of the season, defeating them 68-10.

This was the Mavs first game against the Beavers since 2018, where they defeated Minot State handily, 62-13. Minot State had been struggling coming into this game, starting the season off 0-3 while giving up over 48 points per game. 

Minnesota State was destined for an offensive show out, and they did just that, totalling 615 offensive yards to go along with nine touchdowns. The Mavericks put their foot on the pedal right off the bat in this one, and never let off.

For the first time this season, Mavericks running back Kaleb Sleezer and wide receiver Jalen Sample did not have to carry the bulk of the offensive load. The Mavs shared the ball to what seemed like almost everyone in the game, having seven different players find the endzone.

Sleezer and Sample still had great games, but Charles Coleman and Nyles Williams were the clear cut standouts. Coleman led the Maverick running back room with 103 yards and a touchdown while Williams led all receivers with four catches, 67 yards, and a touchdown.

Williams also added on a 36 yard rushing touchdown and a 90 yard punt return touchdown to his monstrous game. Minnesota State once again used their dual quarterback system to attack the Minot State defense. 

Both JD Ekowa and Hayden Ekern had great games, each throwing for over 120 yards with Ekowa throwing for one touchdown, and Ekern, two. The Mavericks’ defense was an absolute force to be reckoned with on Saturday, holding Minot State quarterback Dawson Macleary to 62 passing yards and not allowing a passing touchdown.

The Mavs’ defense also tallied three sacks and two interceptions.

Dez Basset was the player of the game for the Minnesota State defense, leading the team in tackles for loss with two.

Basset also recorded five total tackles and an 11 yard sack. The two Mavericks interceptions were recorded by Ty’Shonan Brooks and TaeVyn Grixby.

Brooks now has an interception in each of the past two games, and will look to extend that streak to three against Concordia-St.Paul next week. The light only seemed to shine for one Beaver player in Ali Mohamed, who rushed for 139 yards on 18 touches.

Minnesota State’s record now sits at 3-1 on the season, heading into their homecoming matchup against Concordia-St.Paul Saturday. The Mavericks have won the last nine games against the Golden Bears, dating back to 2011.

Feature photo by Sean Arbaut / Minot Athletics