Despite many statistical advantages, U-Mary fell 42-14 on the road to the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs, who tied for the NCC title last season and qualified for the NCAA DII playoffs, used big plays on offense and a ball-hawking defense to outrun the Marauders.

The Marauders out-gained the Bulldogs 375 to 372, had more first downs (20-18), had a time-of-possession advantage (37:26 to 22:34), passed for more yards (314 to 246), ran more plays (85 to 60) and committed fewer penalties (four for 36 yards to six for 46 yards). However, in two of the categories that matter most – final score and turnovers - UMD had a big advantage. In addition to 42 points, the Bulldogs forced the Marauders into four turnovers while committing just one.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs struck early in the second when Mark Seta scored from five yards out with 14:35 remaining until the half. Mary attempted to respond after the ensuing kickoff, but stalled on the UMD 28 yard line and couldn’t convert a 45 yard field goal.

Following an exchange of punts, UMD took over late in the second quarter at its own 12 yard line. Eleven plays later, the Bulldogs’ Ted Schlafke connected on the first of his four scoring passes in the game, this one a 27-yarder to Tony Doherty with 37 seconds remaining. At intermission, U-Mary trailed 14-0.

UMD proceeded to quickly matriculate down the field after receiving second half kickoff, the drive ending when Schlafke found LaSwawn Bullock from 33 yards out for a 21-0 lead.

U-Mary continued to sputter. The Marauders couldn’t move offensively, punting and then turning the ball over on a fumble. At the same time, UMD’s offense was also struggling.

Then something clicked for the Marauders offense. With the ball on its own 15 yard line, the U-Mary passing attack began to create big plays. Blair Sandy connected with Rod Samuel for 43 yards and hit Stacy Martin for a gain of 19. The scoring drive finished when Sandy hit Samuel for a 2-yard touchdown pass, the first TD of the season for the Marauders who now trailed 21-7.

UMD immediately responded. After a long kick return, Schlafke connected with Doherty for a 30-yard TD pass and a 21-point lead.

Mary wasn’t done, though. Now with Jesse Kozak in at quarterback, the Marauders scored once again. This time the drive was capped off when Eric Bredeson took a Kozek pass away from three defenders and raced 38 yards for the score.

The Marauders then stunned UMD with an onside kick. Mary recovered the ball at its own 48 yard line, but could only move the ball to the UMD 30 before turning possession over on downs. After that, the rest of the game was all Bulldogs.

On the next U-Mary possession, Sandy would lose a fumble at the Marauder 24. UMD would convert the turnover into a touchdown. The next U-Mary possession resulted in a Sandy interception. UMD once again converted the turnover into a touchdown and an insurmountable 42-14 lead.

Sandy paced the Marauders offensively, throwing for 193 yards (17-of-34) and rushing for 35 – both team highs. Kozak was 12-of-24 for 121 yards.

Stacy Martin grabbed 12 passes for 79 yards. Martin’s 12 receptions were one shy of the team record of 13 set by Jake Pfau in 2002. Samuel had five catches for 78 yards, Bredeson four for 82 and Matt Wall six for 57.

Defensively, Sean Melland had six solo and one assisted tackle, including one for a loss, and he broke up a pass. Tyler Ashton intercepted one pass, broke up another, and made three tackles.

U-Mary falls to 0-2 on the season and will play at St. Cloud State on Saturday, September 16. UMD, which received votes in the last coaches’ top 25 poll, improves to 2-0.