Photo by Jake Przytarski Marshall’s Konnor Aufenthie throws a pass during their game against Waseca on Friday. The Tigers defeated the Bluejays 27-8.

MARSHALL — The ninth-ranked Marshall football team stood tall in one of its toughest tests of the season on Friday with a 27-8 victory over the visiting Waseca Bluejays.

Coach Terry Bahlmann came away pleased with the team’s performance and praised Konnor Aufenthie for stepping up big throughout the contest.

“Konnor Aufenthie stepped up and did a nice job,” said Bahlmann. “Both teams turned it over, the cold probably had something to do with that. Overall we’re happy with the win.”

Bahlmann went on to tip his cap to the Bluejays for a strong performance in the running game.

“We knew Waseca’s a good football team and it’s a great rivalry between two schools,” said Bahlmann. “They came in and they ran the ball better than anybody has on us all year. I think coming into the game we were giving up half a yard per carry so they exploited us a little bit.”

For most of the first half, Waseca’s stout defense was able to keep the Tigers explosive offense in check, save for a 10-play opening drive that was sparked by an Aufenthie to Lance connection and was later capped off with a one-yard score by Gabe Raini. Following a false start penalty on Waseca, the Tigers went for two and converted on a pass play to Trey Steinbach to take an 8-0 lead.

“It was a good drive for us,” said Bahlmann. “With the weather condiditons we really executed there and spread the football around and made some plays. Like I said I thought Aufenthie did a nice job all night and stood in there and of course Bryce Lance showed what kind of player he is.”

The story throughout the game for Marshall’s defense was bend but don’t break as Waseca’s offense saw multiple promising drives get cut short due to turnovers.

The Bluejays first miscue came midway through the first quarter when their offense brought the ball all the way down to the 11-yard line before a fourth down and long heave deep in the end zone was picked off by Lance to prevent a touchdown. The turnover was the first of five generated by Marshall’s defense in the game.

Coach Bahlmann was relieved to see his defense rebound after Waseca was able to sustain multiple offensive drives.

“I’m glad we rebounded because it was concerning that they did go down the field a little bit on us. But like I said, they’re a good football team too and they made plays, then our defensive guys made plays when they had the chance,” said Bahlmann.

Waseca’s offense returned to the red zone early in the second quarter but once again came up empty thanks to a key sack by Tannyr Curry that forced a fourth and long situation. The Bluejays elected to go for it and paid the price as Jack Bly jumped the route and registered the team’s second interception.

Late in the half, the Bluejays finally broke through with a scoring drive set up by a long reception by Kyreese Willingham. Moments later, quarterback Nick Dufault called his own number and scored. Waseca went for two after the Dufault touchdown and converted to even the score at eight apiece with less than a minute to play before halftime.

With the clock winding down Marshall’s offense, which had been held in check since its first drive, caught fire again with Aufenthie and Lance connecting on multiple pass plays to bring the ball into the red zone. The crucial drive would end with a one-yard plunge by Raini as time expired in the half.

Carrying a 15-8 lead into the third quarter, Marshall’s defense was put to the test again early on in the second half when a fumble by Raini gave the ball to the Bluejays inside the 20-yard line with a chance to tie the game. Thankfully, a fumble recovery by Grant Louwagie gave the Tigers the ball back at their own five-yard line.

Late in the third quarter, Yahya Black recovered another fumble deep in Waseca territory where the Marshall offense went on capitalize with a one-yard touchdown run by Aufenthie to take a 21-8 lead. Before the end of the game, Raini would find the end zone for a third time to seal Marshall’s 27-8 victory.

Next up for the Tigers (7-0) is a season finale matchup on the road against Jordan.

Waseca 0 8 0 0 — 8

Marshall 8 7 6 6 — 27

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER

Marshall: Raini 1-yard run (2-point good).

SECOND QUARTER

Waseca: Dufault 1-yard run (2-point good).

Marshall: Raini 2-yard run (PAT good).

THIRD QUARTER

Marshall: Aufenthie 1-yard run (PAT no good).

FOURTH QUARTER

Marshall: Raini 7-yard run (2-point no good).

Individual Leaders

PASSING: Marshall (Aufenthie 12-19-139-0-0).

RUSHING: Marshall (Raini 24-119-3, Pochardt 4-47-0, Hilgemann 4-40-0).

RECEIVING: Marshall (Lance 7-99-0, Steinbach 3-19-0).