MANKATO — Another home game, another dominating second half for Minnesota State football.
This time though, there’s a twist on offense.
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Lebarion Gilmore racked up 65 yards and two touchdowns rushing from the quarterback position at MSU rolled to a 48-7 win over Southwest Minnesota State Saturday. The Mavericks improve to 7-2 overall and 6-2 in NSIC play while bouncing back after last week’s 35-20 road loss to Wayne State.
“Last week wasn’t our best ball,” redshirt freshman Jefferson Mobry said. “ I think we’re back on track now after this week. We’re coming together as a team again like we always wanted.”
Entering the game Gilmore was listed as one of three starting receivers on the Mavericks’ depth chart. But he isn’t your regular wide receiver. He’s a converted wide receiver.
Gilmore originally committed to MSU as a quarterback and took snaps at the position last season. In fact, he was a three-year starting quarterback at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Illinois. By the time his high school career was over he became the program’s all-time leader in career passing yards and owns the team’s single-season passing yards record.
And with redshirt freshman Maximus Sims out with an injury, Gilmore had the opportunity to be the change of back option in MSU’s offense. He took his first handful of snaps as Wildcat Quarterback in the second quarter, but his presence was largely felt in the fourth quarter.
He scored from nine and 15 yards out on the ground in the game’s final seven minutes to put the game firmly on ice.
“Honestly, I rather credit the guys that I was running behind,” Gilmore said. “It was big for our (offensive) line to come out in the fourth quarter, knowing that we were up by over 20 points and still go out there and dominate our opponent. It gives you motivation to be out there with those guys.”
Gilmore’s breakthrough afternoon served as the final two nails in the coffin in what was yet another dominant second-half showing in front of the home fans at Blakeslee Stadium.
Sophomore quarterback Mitchell Thompson ripped off a 48-yard touchdown run to take a 20-7 lead 1:46 into the second half.
Thompson connected with senior Grant Guyett for a 46-yard strike for a 27-7 lead nearly seven minutes later.
The Mavericks defense came up with a deflected pass which landed in the hands of Mobry, who took it to the house for a pick-6 and a 34-7 lead with 5:07 left in the third quarter.
It was another third quarter blitzkrieg which turned a 13-7 halftime lead into another blowout victory.
“We felt a little frustrated. There was not a lot of talking,” Hoffman said of the team at halftime. “Players took charge, played exceptional in the second half and did a lot of really good things.”
Sam Backer led MSU with 103 yards rushing off 14 carries with a touchdown. Carter Henderson added 76 yards off 17 carries.
Thompson was 9 of 18 for 156 yards with a touchdown and an interception which came off a hail mary attempt to close the first half.
He also had 58 yards and a score on the ground.
Tanner Olson, Jack Hawkinson and Colton Hoffman each had a sack. Hawkinson also forced a fumble. Brock Galetich and Emanuel Spiyee each had an interception.
The Mustangs netted eight yards rushing.
The Mavericks hit the road to face No. 9 Augustana at 1 p.m. Saturday.