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MINOT – Minot State University took advantage of three Southwest Minnesota State turnovers in the second quarter, while also taking advantage of a dropped snap on an SMSU punt attempt, to score 28 points and cruise to a 59-0 victory in NSIC football on Saturday afternoon at Herb Parker Stadium.
MSU, which opened the season with three close losses to Emporia State, Wayne State and Augustana, led 14-0 midway through the second quarter before three straight SMSU turnovers blew the game open. MSU improves to 1-3 overall, 1-2 NSIC.
The Beavers option rushing attack closed the game with 506 yards of offense including 445 on the ground. Brandon Hines Jr. paced MSU with 179 yards rushing and two touchdowns, including a 62-yard touchdown run for the game’s first touchdown.
MSU finished the game forcing SMSU into six turnovers.
SMSU (1-3 overall, 0-3 NSIC) used three quarterbacks in the contest with starter Macloud Crowton completing 9 of 19 passes for 50 yards and one interception. Drew Kluender came on in relief in the third quarter and finished the game passing for 61 yards compelting 4 of 10 attempts with one interception. Tommy Hoffman made his collegiate debut in the fourth quarter and completed two passes but was intercepted once.
SMSU’s best drive of the game came in the third quarter, moving from its own 1-yard line to a first-and-goal opportunity at the MSU 4-yard line. Unfortunately, the drive stalled at the 5-yard line with three incomplete passes and a rush for minus-1 yard.
Josh Lancifort rushed for 32 yards on 10 carries to pace SMSU, while Kluender added 30 yards. Tryg Auten caught a team-high four passes for the Mustangs with Cooper Murpy and Izaac Vanek both closing with three receptions.
Hunter Hanegraaf racked up a career-high 13 tackles to pace the SMSU defense with Aiden Planer adding 10 stops. Jake Meier closed with six tackles, while Keegan Patterson collected five tackles and recorded his third interception of the season. Sam Shepersky, Julius Brown, and Avery Johnson each had five tackles.
SMSU will look to snap its losing skid at home on Saturday, Sept. 26, facing Wayne State College with kickoff slated for 5 p.m.