MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota State University Moorhead football team opened the 2021 season with a 33-21 win over Southwest Minnesota State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Thursday night in Marshall, Minn.
MSUM improved to 1-0 on the year while SMSU fell to 0-1. The Dragons beat SMSU for a second straight time after the Mustangs had won the previous seven meetings. The Dragons have now won six season openers in a row, and also improved to 7-3 in opening games under Head Coach Steve Laqua.
“I’m pleased with how the guys played,” Laqua said. “They were really composed for not playing for so long. We executed extremely well.”
Freshman quarterback Tommy Falk had an impressive debut for the Dragons, going 19-of-21 for 285 yards and three touchdowns.
Senior receiver Grady Bresnahan had eight catches for 118 yards and two scores while sophomore receiver Ryan Bieberdorf had six catches for 120 yards and a score.
On the ground, sophomore running back Jaydin McNeal had 14 carries for 55 yards and a score.
On defense, the Dragons intercepted SMSU starter Andrew Haidet three times, as sophomore defensive back Jake Bettcher, sophomore defensive back Jared Kallenbach and senior defensive end Darius Woods-Steichen each had a pick.
Senior linebacker Matt Schoh had eight tackles while senior defensive tackle Jordan Magnuson had seven, including two for loss. Senior defensive end Derek Porozinski had a sack.
MSUM outgained SMSU 404-257, including 285-119 through the air. SMSU had four turnovers while MSUM committed two.
The Dragons took a 14-0 lead in the first half, thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run from senior back Zane Miller and a 64-yard touchdown pass from Falk to Bieberdorf. SMSU scored midway through the second to cut the lead to 14-7, which was the halftime score.
In the third quarter McNeal broke free for a 16-yard touchdown run to make the lead 21-7. The Mustangs responded with a touchdown run by Duce Reynolds to make it 21-14.
Bresnahan hauled in the first of his two touchdowns from Falk, a three-yard pass, to put the Dragon lead to 27-14 with 2:24 left in the third quarter. A key insurance touchdown was added with 2:59 left as Bresnahan hauled in a 23-yard strike from Falk to make it 33-21.
The Mustangs capitalized on a fumble to score a touchdown in the final two minutes to cut the lead to 33-21, but could not recover the onside kick and MSUM was able to run the time out.
MSUM hosts Winona State on Sept. 11 at noon.
Game Recap: Football | 9/2/2021 10:32:00 PM | Tom Berg
