The No. 13 University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs had more offensive troubles in their game against the Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons on the road, and lost in overtime 20-23. UMD Falls to 3-2 on the season and 3-1 in the NSIC, while MSU-Moorhead improves to 3-2 and 2-2 in the NSIC.
The Bulldogs defense got going quickly with a midfield stop, but UMD found themselves in a hole quickly after, with an untimely fumble on a promising drive leading to a scoop-and-score for the Dragons Micah Runion, putting UMD down 7-0 early.
The next two drives didn't work in the Bulldogs favor either, with a quick three and out from UMD, followed by a methodical drive from MSU-Moorhead, ending in a Kelly Johnson touchdown to put UMD down 14-0. The Bulldogs went three and out on the following drive as well.
The Bulldogs stopped the bleeding in the second quarter with a stop of the Dragons offense. Then, UMD found the endzone for the first time in seven quarters on a drive featuring an 18-yard reception by Adam Poncelet and key runs from Derrick Johnson including the touchdown run to cut the lead to seven.
Both the Bulldogs and Dragons would stall on their following drives, and the game stayed at 14-7 MSU-Moorhead entering the second half.
The Bulldogs came out hot in the third quarter, looking to tie the game on their second half opening drive. Ryder Patterson received a 24-yard pass from Jacob Eggert, and the Bulldogs were within striking distance. But another fumble kept UMD from moving the score closer.
The defense would continue to give trouble to the Dragons, with a Matt Marusich interception setting up the Bulldogs offense with a strong starting position. Alex Riley and Francis O'Malley delivered a one-two punch with back-to-back 17 and 11-yard runs, followed by a Cameron Begalle 14-yard reception. However, the Bulldogs failed to find the endzone, and settled with a field goal to make it 14-10 Dragons.
MSU-Moorhead followed with their most promising offensive drive since the first quarter with a Reggie Bruner 24-yard reception and Tyson Brandt 11-yard run, but the Bulldogs hunkered down and stopped the Dragons on downs to end the third quarter.
UMD started off with the ball in the fourth quarter, and attempted to keep their drive going with some trickery on fourth down. However, the Dragons blew it up and gave themselves great position in the process, starting at UMD's 39-yard line. The Bulldog defense kept UMD in the game again, with a big sack from Michael Bruggers playing a big role in the stop.
UMD's offense continued to struggle, and a bad punt gave the Dragons another prime starting position at UMD's 30-yard line, but a big stop from the defense forced MSU-Moorhead to kick a field goal to restore the lead to seven.
The next drive was crucial for the Bulldogs, they needed a touchdown to tie the game. Catcher Langeness came up with a big 22-yard reception to bring the Bulldogs down the field. But soon after, the Bulldogs found themselves on the brink with fourth down, but a great play set up for a Cameron Begalle 35-yard reception gave UMD the touchdown, and the tie, 17-17.
MSU-Moorhead still had a chance to finish the Bulldogs in regulation, but a bad snap led to a big fumble recovery by Mark Rendl, and now it was the Bulldogs looking to finish off the Dragons. However, UMD's final offensive drive went nowhere, and both the Bulldogs and Dragons found themselves in overtime for the second time this season.
UMD started overtime with the first possession, which wound up pushing the Bulldogs back a fair distance. However, the Bulldogs managed to salvage points off of a massive 53-yard field goal from Jadon Apgar, giving the Bulldogs their first lead of the game, 20-17.
On the following drive, it only took three plays for Drew Huebner to find Kelly Johnson in the endzone for his second touchdown of the game, and the Bulldogs lost 20-23.
Bulldog Notes:
The Bulldogs slightly outgained the Dragons, 313-291.
The Bulldogs and Dragons had two turnovers each.
UMD was sacked five times, vs. three for-MSU Moorhead.
Joey Krouse, Gavin Schmidt, and Michael Bruggers had sacks.
Matt Marusich had UMD's second interception of the season.
Cameron Begalle led the Bulldogs with 74 receiving yards.
The Bulldogs stay on the road next week, facing the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. The game is on October 3rd, with kickoff set for 3:00 p.m.
