Preseason All-America Max Mickey ran for 114 yards and a touchdown to lead de­fending NSIC South Division champion Sioux Falls to a 26-7 road victory over defending NSIC North champion Minnesota Duluth on Thursday.

Mickey scored on a 1-yard run late in the first quarter to give the Cougars, ranked No. 15 in the D2Football.com preseason poll, a 16-0 lead.

Jason Towns added a 42-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter for Sioux Falls.

The Cougars limited eighth-ranked UMD to minus-16 yards rushing.

Minnesota State Mankato 35, Mary 7: Nate Gunn ran for 165 yards and two TDs and Justin Taormina rushed for 73 yards and two TDs to lead the No. 16 Mavericks over the host Marauders in Bismarck, N.D.

Winona State 30, Bemidji State 20: Darren Beenken passed for 308 yards and two touchdowns and Eric Birth rushed for two more TDs for the host Warriors. Jordan Hein threw for 308 yards and a TD for the Beavers, who were ranked No. 17 in the D2Football.com preseason poll.

Upper Iowa 44, Minnesota Crookston 7: Brent Lammers passed for 187 yards and a TD and rushed for 110 yards to lead the Peacocks over the host Golden Eagles.

Ryan Parmely rushed for 90 yards and three first-half touchdowns — including a 62-yard TD run in the second quarter — for the Peacocks, who led 27-0 at halftime.

NEWS SERVICES