Independent file photo Southwest Minnesota State University quarterback Marcus Martin looks to throw a pass downfield during the Mustangs’ football game against Bemidji State University on Saturday.

MARSHALL — Through the first two drives of the Southwest Minnesota State University home-opening football game against Bemidji State last Saturday, it felt like the Mustangs were running into a wall.

Perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it a Beaver dam, as the SMSU recorded two three-and-out possessions and gained just three yards of offense.

The Mustangs were able to break through the Beaver dam from the third possession onward, finding some signs of life that the SMSU offense hopes to carry over into the Week 3 matchup at Wayne State College (Neb.) on Saturday evening.

After averaging just a half-yard per play on the first two drives, the Mustangs averaged 5.2 yards per play over the remainder of the game.

The Mustangs have been able to capitalize on big plays in all three phases of the game in the first two weeks of the season.

The SMSU offense has totaled eight plays of 20 or more yards this season, including seven passes. Five of the team’s six touchdowns through the first two weeks have been on big plays. The Mustangs also have recorded two big plays on special teams, with one kick return and one punt return.

Making plays through the passing game has been an encouraging sign for a team that relied heavily on the run game in 2022. Last year, the SMSU rushing attack finished fourth in the program single-season history with 1,901 yards and an average of 172.8 rushing yards per game.

Sophomore quarterback Marcus Martin’s favorite weapon has been Peter Osman. The Rochester native has 11 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns through two games. Wide receiver Rashaan Palmer has added seven catches for 120 yards and one touchdown.

Martin had an impressive outing on Saturday against Bemidji State. The Los Angeles native finished 27 of 42 for 273 yards, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions. It was only his second time not throwing an interception in a game in six career starts.

Martin has thrown five touchdowns in two games, already surpassing the four touchdowns he threw in four starts in 2022 as a true freshman. Martin is completing 58.0 percent of his passes, up from 50.5 percent a season ago, and his passing yards per game have jumped from 174.2 to 249.0. In program history, nine quarterbacks have passed for 250-plus yards per game in a season (in a minimum of nine games played).

Martin’s playmaking in the passing game came as Bemidji State was likely keying on junior running back Donald Austin, who finished with just 36 rushing yards on 12 carries. Austin did help out Martin in the passing game, catching three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown against the Beavers.

If the Mustangs hope to win on the road in Nebraska on Saturday, they will need to get off to a faster start. The 14-0 deficit to open the Bemidji State game was an improvement from the 17-point hole in Week 1 against Minot State, but it still extended the streak to six consecutive games the Mustangs have fallen behind by 14 or more points, a streak that began with the WSC matchup on Oct. 22, 2022.

Saturday’s opening kick from Memorial Stadium in Wayne, Neb., is scheduled for 6 p.m.