Minnesota State Mankato, ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division II, used a strong defensive effort to defeat Concordia (St. Paul) 29-3 in an NSIC South Division game on Saturday in St. Paul.
The Mavericks (3-0 overall, 3-0 NSIC South) allowed the Golden Bears just eight first downs, 14 rushing yards and 134 yards in total offense as they won their 27th consecutive regular-season game.
The Mavericks also forced three turnovers and had 13 tackles for loss and three sacks as they handed the Golden Bears (2-1, 2-1) their first loss of the season.
Nate Gunn rushed for 103 yards and J.D. Ekowa completed 10 of 12 passes for 88 yards and a TD for the Mavericks.
Bemidji State 27, Minnesota-Crookston 10: Jared Henning ran for 135 yards and a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass and Jalen Frye rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Beavers (3-0, 3-0 NSIC North) past the host Golden Eagles.
Minnesota Duluth 20, St. Cloud State 14: The host Bulldogs (3-0, 3-0 NSIC North), ranked No. 13 in Division II, held on for their 22nd consecutive regular-season victory. St. Cloud scored with 3:32 remaining, but the Bulldogs ran out the clock.
MSU Moorhead 24, Northern State 17: Matthew Plasterer passed for 265 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Dragons (2-1, 2-1 NSIC North) to a road victory in Aberdeen, S.D.
Sioux Falls 51, SW Minnesota State 7: Thuro Reisdorfer rushed for 113 yards and four TDs as the Cougars ran past the host Mustangs in an NSIC South Division game in Marshall, Minn. The Cougars (2-1) outrushed the Mustangs (0-3) 358-6 and had a 564-160 edge in total offense.
