The Free Press
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Minnesota State football team fell behind late in the first half and wasn’t able to come back in a 28-10 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference road loss to Augustana Saturday.
It was MSU’s (7-1, 6-1 in NSIC) first loss of the season. The Vikings (8-0, 7-0 in NSIC) remain undefeated and are now in sole possession of first place in the conference.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Mavericks got on the scoreboard first early in the second quarter on Matthew Jaeger’s field goal, which would end up being MSU’s only lead of the game.
Jarod Epperson scored on an 86-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to give the Vikings a 7-3 lead into halftime.
The next two touchdowns both went to Augustana, one in the middle of the third quarter and another late in the fourth. Accompanying extra points gave the Vikings a 21-3 lead late in the game.
MSU got its lone touchdown with 1:37 to play, when Hayden Ekern passed to Jeremiah Howard for a 4-yard score. Jaeger’s extra point made it 21-10. Ekern finished 20 of 31 for 181 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception.
MSU rushed for 138 yards on 38 carries in the loss. Ekern led the team with 64 rushing yards on 14 carries.
The Mavericks will host Southwest Minnesota State at 1 p.m. Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium.