Article

Mavericks overcome errors, defeat Augie in NCC opener

Victory in conference debut Mavs' first since 1997

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: Mens Sports

At times during Minnesota State's football opener Saturday against Augustana, the Mavericks looked like a team destined to lose its conference opener for the 10th straight season.

Fortunately for the Mavericks, Augustana was in no mood to take advantage, making numerous mistakes of its own, as the Mavs defeated Augie 26-16 to win its first North Central Conference opener since the 1997 season.

"It's a big win for us," said Mavericks head coach Jeff Jamrog. " We haven't had it since I have been here. I don't think it's monumental, but in our minds, it's kind of like Central Missouri; it gets you off to that good start."

Penalties and dropped passes dogged the Mavericks the whole game. Augustana also struggled, as both teams committed over 100-yards worth of penalties. The Vikings also committed three turnovers, one of which secured the game for the Mavericks.

Trailing by three halfway through the third quarter, Augustana lined up to punt. But the snap sailed high over the head of Augie punter Joe Nordin. The ball rolled to the goal line, where Nordin attempted to kick the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety. He missed the ball, and a scrum along the goal line ensued. By the time it was over, the ball would be up in the hands of MSU defensive back Steve Robinson. Jason Tompkins added the extra point, giving MSU its final margin of victory.

"That was critical," Jamrog said. "We pride ourselves on special teams, and we made some big plays tonight."

The MSU defense kept Augustana off the board long enough for a fatal mistake to occur.

Jamrog and defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman called a number of blitzes that were effective. Junior linebacker Blake Freese was in the Viking backfield all night pressuring and hitting Augie quarterback Daniel Millus.

Randy Earl also spent plenty of time in the Augustana backfield. The sophomore was credited with 2.5 sacks and 10 total tackles, three for loss - en route to being named the NCC's Defensive Player of the Week award.

"We watched film for at least two weeks on these guys," Earl said. "We didn't get any different looks out there. Everything we got, we saw on film. It was great preparation."

Defensive tackle Chris Brunkhorst added a pair of sacks and seven tackles. Linebacker John Jones had nine total stops for MSU.

"We're holding the rope this year," Earl said. "When the offense comes off the field, we feel it's our duty to hold 'em up. We gotta get our offense back on the field."

Ben King was the offensive leader for the Mavericks, completing 31-of-53 passing for 351 yards and three touchdowns. He was also intercepted once.

Eight MSU receivers caught at least one pass, including Omaar Balton, who hauled in 11 passes for 116 yards. Marcus Hansen only caught two passes for 13 yards, but they were both touchdowns. Donte Shackelford had six catches for 62 yards.

"We have excellent speed and a guy that can throw it," Jamrog said. "Anytime you can throw it ten times over 50 yards and complete three of them, you're not having a bad night."

King would have had a better night too, if not for dropped passes. Augustana was giving MSU receivers the intermediate buttonhook routes all night, but Maverick receivers dropped 11 passes.

"Ben could have had a lot more yards," Jamrog said. "When you have 341 yards on 31 completions with 11 drops, it makes you sick to your stomach."

Gerard DeWet punted six times for MSU, and dropped four of them inside the 20. He was named NCC Special Teams Player of the Week.

MSU will have an extra week to heal injuries to a couple key injured players. Tory Chappell played in the game, but exited after he reaggrivated an injury. Telema Bobmanuel also sustained an injury during the game; both players' status for Nebraska-Omaha is unknown.

"Hopefully Tory, with two weeks, will be able to get back out there because he gives us a special dimension."

MSU will begin the toughest portion of its schedule all season on Sept. 29 at UNO.

Dan Myers is the Reporter Sports Editor