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BISMARCK, N.D. -- The University of Mary rallied with 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including scoring the game-winning touchdown with 37 seconds remaining to earn stunning 32-28 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday afternoon.
SMSU, which falls to 1-9 overall, 1-8 NSIC, scored a season-high points and racked-up a season-high 400 yards on offense. The Mustangs were in control for much of the game and had two chances in the final quarter to put the game away.
The Mustangs led 28-17 with less than 10 minutes left in the game and had the ball at the UMary 25-yard line looking to seal the win. However, the Marauders stopped the drive with a sack on fourth down and moments later scored a touchdown and two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 28-25.
SMSU would put together another solid drive and moved the ball to the UMary 11-yard line, but the Mustangs were forced to settle for a field goal attempt. Once again, the Marauders made a big play and blocked the field goal to keep the deficit at three points with just under three minutes remaining in the game.
UMary (2-8, 2-7 NSIC) used the momentum and moved the ball 63 yards on 10 plays with back-up quarterback Jesse Forknell completing the drive with a 6-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Mujeeb Rufai. UMary faced fourth-and-one at the SMSU 30-yard line during the comeback drive, but Forknell would keep the game alive with an 8-yard pass to Rufai. Three plays later, Forknell would find Rufai open in the end zone with the winning score.
The SMSU rushing attack was strong all game with Donald Austin registering his fifth career 100-yard rushing game as he closed with 140 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries, while quarterback Marcus Martin amassed 54 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Martin completed 16 of 19 pass attempts for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Eric Lira had a team-high four receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown leading the Mustang receivers.
SMSU finished the game rushing for a season-high 221 yards and closed with a season-high 23 first downs.
UMary closed the game with 378 yards of offense, including 295 through the air and 16 first downs.
Josiah Hedensten had a team-high nine tackles for the Mustangs, including 1.5 for loss and recovered a fumble.
SMSU closes the season next Saturday, Nov. 11, hosting the University of Sioux Falls with kickoff set for 12 p.m.