Box Score CROOKSTON, Minn. -  The University of Minnesota Crookston football team fell 63-3 to No. 1 Minnesota State University, Mankato Saturday afternoon at Ed Widseth Field on a windy day in Crookston. The Golden Eagles were unable to generate much offense against the nation's 12th-best defense. The Mavericks have not given up a touchdown for two weeks now. The Golden Eagles fall to 0-4 on the season, while Minnesota State improved to 4-0 as they look to get back to the NCAA Division II National Championship, where they lost to Colorado State University-Pueblo last season.

The Mavericks put up 385 yards on the ground with three players running for over 100 yards on the ground. Minnesota State finished the game with 505 yards of offense. The Mavericks were led by Chad Zastrow, who had 15 carries for 115 yards and one touchdown, while third-string back Virgil Hammond had 10 carries for 112 yards and four touchdowns. Minnesota State starter Connor Thomas finished with 16 carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

UMC was unable to get much going on the ground with just 57 yards on 37 carries. Dre Person (Jr., RB, Detroit, Mich.) had 15 carries for 37 yards. The Golden Eagles were unable to get much going through the air as Nathan Cole (R-So., QB, Aliso Viejo, Calif.) was 10-of-25 for 81 yards with three interceptions thrown.

Minnesota State also struggled in the passing game with just 120 yards through the air and two interceptions. Nick Pieruccini was 3-of-5 for 67 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Ricky Lloyd was 5-of-12 for 53 yards with one interception.

The Golden Eagle receivers were led by Triston Richert (R-Fr., WR, Oakdale, Minn.) who had two receptions for 25 yards, while Tommy Smith, III (Sr., WR, Naranja, Fla.) had three grabs for 23 yards.

Defensively, Ali Alkhatib (R-Fr., DB, Rosemount, Minn.) had a strong day with a team-leading nine tackles, one forced fumble and one interception. Drew Selvestra (Sr., DL, Eagan, Minn.) also had a strong day with eight tackles and a half sack. Jake Christopherson (So., DL, Sturgeon Lake, Minn.) had five tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack.

The Mavericks were led by Marcus Gooden with eight tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Kaleb Wendricks had four tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Tyler Henderson and Mat Andriano each had interceptions.

Early on in the game, it looked like it might be low-scoring as Minnesota State had just one touchdown in the first quarter when Thomas went in from one-yard out.

The Mavericks would score early in the second quarter when Thomas rushed 11 yards to pay dirt to make it 14-0.

Minnesota State would be set up well on their next drive as Chad Zastrow blocked the Stephen Day (R-Fr., K/P, Eveleth, Minn.) punt which was returned by Dylan Oleszak to the UMC 36. The Mavericks would score on the next play as Pieruccini found Ty Dennis for 36 yards and a touchdown.

The Mavericks would score later in the quarter when Alden Haffar hit a 25-yard field goal to make it 24-0.

UMC would put together a strong drive on their next possession led by two passes from Cole to Tommy Smith for 13 yards and 11 yards and a completion to Richert for 13 yards. Mike Maw (Jr., K, White Bear Lake, Minn.) would complete the drive with a 21-yard field goal to make it 24-3.

That would be the score as UMC and Minnesota State went into half. Minnesota State would quickly jump on the board in the third quarter as Henderson returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown to make it 31-3.

Minnesota State would quickly get the ball back as Gooden forced and recovered a fumble but a Lloyd interception would give it right back to UMC as Jake Newman (So., DB, White Bear Lake, Minn.) picked off the ball at the UMC two-yard line.

After a defensive stop, Minnesota State's Kyle Riggot would return what was a good punt from Day 36 yards to the UMC 17. The Mavericks would quickly score as Hammond went in from six yards out.

UMC's defense would look to set up their offense later in the quarter as Alkhatib picked off Pieruccini and returned it 46 yards to the Minnesota State 20. The Golden Eagles would march down to the red zone but Cole would throw a pick to Andriano, who would return it 41 yards to the Minnesota State 43.

The Golden Eagles would get the ball back again as Alkhatib forced a fumble recovered by Lethzee Calderon (Sr., DB, Eagan, Minn.). However UMC would be unable to do anything offensively.

Minnesota State would add 18 more points in the fourth quarter to win 63-3.

The Golden Eagles get into NSIC North play next week as they take on St. Cloud State University at 1 p.m. ain St. Cloud, Minn.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.