Minnesota State Mankato bounced back from its first loss of the season a week ago in orderly fashion.
Sophomore quarterback Nick Pieruccini threw for three touchdowns and ran for three scores as the No. 7 Mavericks overcame a sluggish start to beat Southwest Minnesota State 55-17 on Saturday in an NSIC matchup in Marshall.
Pieruccini completed 22 of 28 passes for 280 yards. He hooked up with junior wide receiver Brent Esser for two TDs.
The Mavericks scored 34 points in the second half, following a 21-point second quarter. Pieruccini figured in on the first six touchdowns.
Senior Josh Gordon led the Mavericks defensive unit with seven tackles, including 1.5 sacks. He also had his second interception of the season.
The Mavericks were coming off a 31-27 loss to Winona State.
Sioux Falls (S.D.) 49, Concordia 0: Junior quarterback Luke Papilion continued his excellent season in the Cougars' shutout of the Golden Bears. Papilion completed 20 of 33 passes for 306 yards and a career-best six TDs. Brady Rose had 10 catches for 159 yards and three scores.
Northern State (S.D.) 23, Minnesota Duluth 15: The 18th-ranked Bulldogs continued their struggles on the road, falling to the Wolves in the 60th annual Shrine game. It was their third loss on the road this season. Tyson Zemlicka had 10 tackles, including a sack, a fumble recovery and pass interception for the Wolves.
St. Cloud State 59, MSU Moorhead 21: The Huskies scored 45 first-half points and cruised past the Dragons. Vance Barnes set the tone early, returning the opening kickoff 96 yards for a TD. Nate Meyer went 14-for-28 passing for 264 yards and three TDs.
Augustana (S.D.) 41, Upper Iowa 20: Trey Heid threw three TD passes, leading the Vikings past the Peacocks. He completed 13 of 25 passes for 269 yards. Matt Heller was on the receiving end of seven of those passes for 169 yards and two TDs.
Winona State 45, Wayne State (Neb.) 31: Jack Nelson completed 20 of 30 passes for 336 yards and three TDs as the Warriors outscored the Wildcats. Winona State scored three TDs in the final 4 minutes, 46 seconds of the first half.
Bemidji State 32, Minot State (N.D.) 7: Bemidji State tied its school record for victories in a season (six) by winning the "Beaver Bash." Bemidji State's defensive unit limited Minot State to 169 yards of offense, and Kaleb Olszewski intercepted three passes.
Mary (N.D.) 33, Minnesota Crookston 28: Adam Woroniecki scored on a 26-yard run with three minutes remaining as the Marauders scored two fourth-quarter TDs to beat the Golden Eagles.
UMAC
St. Scholastica 48, Westminster (Mo.) 12: Kyle Stepka threw for 453 yards and four TDs as the Saints clinched at least a share of the conference championship.
