Mustangs top Valley City State to open season
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MARSHALL -- The Southwest Minnesota State University football team opened its 2026 season with a 10-7 victory over Valley City State University on Thursday night at Mattke Field, earning its first home-opening victory since 2022.
Playing in front of a strong home crowd, the Mustangs and Vikings battled through a scoreless opening to the game as both offenses struggled to find a rhythm.
SMSU finally broke through late in the first quarter when running back Shaun Walrath punched the ball into the end zone from 4 yards out with just over four minutes remaining. The touchdown capped a 68-yard, 10-play drive and gave the Mustangs a 7-0 lead.
The Mustangs added to their advantage late in the second quarter when Landon Hubbard connected on a 24-yard field goal with just under five minutes remaining before halftime.
The field goal capped another lengthy SMSU drive, this one covering 58 yards in 10 plays, and sent the Mustangs into the locker room with a 10-0 advantage.
While neither team found much offensive success throughout the first half, SMSU made the most of its opportunities and relied on its defense to keep Valley City State off the scoreboard.
The Vikings finally broke through with 4:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, connecting on a 33-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-12. The score cut the Mustangs’ lead to 10-7 and suddenly put the outcome in doubt.
SMSU was unable to pick up a first down on its ensuing possession, giving Valley City State one final opportunity to drive for the go-ahead score.
The Mustangs’ defense responded when it mattered most, forcing the Vikings off the field and giving SMSU possession with enough time remaining for quarterback Macloud Crowton to take a knee and seal the victory.
“I am proud of how we responded late with our defense by getting Valley City State off the field,” SMSU head coach Scott Underwood said. “Like all things, the first game tells you what you need to respond to, and Valley City State was a great, physical team, and we just have to keep trying to improve.”
The victory ended a lengthy home drought for the Mustangs. SMSU had not won at Mattke Field since Nov. 11, 2023, making Thursday’s victory an important step for a program looking to build momentum early in the season.
It also marked SMSU’s first home-opening victory since 2022, when the Mustangs defeated Concordia-St. Paul. That game was Underwood’s first as head coach of the Mustangs.
While SMSU will have plenty to clean up following its season opener, the Mustangs can take confidence from finding a way to win a close game and making the defensive plays necessary to preserve the victory.
The Mustangs will return to action Sept. 5 when they travel to Bemidji State for their next game.
For more coverage of the Mustangs, tune into the Mustang Minute with SMSU Football podcast, hosted by Marshall Independent Sports Editor Daniel Lins. The second episode will be recorded Monday, Aug. 31, and released Sept. 1.
The podcast will feature a breakdown of Thursday’s season opener and a preview of SMSU’s upcoming matchup with Bemidji State. It can be found by searching “Mustang Minute with SMSU Football” on Spotify, with additional information available on the Marshall Independent Facebook page.