MINOT, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston football team put it all on the line but fell 40 yards short of a comeback in a 38-30 loss to Minot State University Sat., Oct. 22 at Herb Parker Stadium in Minot, N.D. The Golden Eagles overcame a 35-20 deficit at the break and out-scored the Beavers 10-3 but would be unable to come up with key plays down the stretch to come away with the win.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 0-8 (0-4 NSIC North) with Saturday's loss. The Golden Eagles continue their nine-game losing streak dating back to a win over Minot State Nov. 7, 2015 in Crookston, Minn. Minot State improves to 2-6 (1-3 NSIC North).

Minnesota Crookston was led by the best game of the season from Andre Person (Sr., RB, Detroit, Mich.), who continues his recent success against Minot State. Person rushed 17 times for 142 yards for an average of 8.4 yards per carry. This is after last season's 215 yards on 22 carries with four touchdowns.

In addition to Person, Nathan Cole (Sr., QB, Aliso Viejo, Calif.) had one of his strongest games of his career. Cole was 13-of-26 for 127 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He also ran four times for 40 yards.

His top target on the day was UMC's all-time leading receiver Adam Connette (Jr., WR, Corona, Calif.), who finished with six catches for 60 yards and his first two touchdowns of the season.

As a team, UMC finished with 353 yards of offense on the day.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles forced four turnovers on the game including three interceptions. Minnesota Crookston had no interceptions entering last week's game against University of Mary and now have five interceptions in two games. Will Cross (R-Fr., LB, Turtle Lake, Wis.) would lead the defense with 11 tackles and one interception. Ali Alkhatib (R-So., LB, Rosemount, Minn.) had added tackles and three tackles for loss. Aeric Berner (So., DB, Antigo, Wis.) and Jake Newman (Jr., DB, White Bear Lake, Minn.) also had interceptions, with Berner scoring the first defensive touchdown of the season for UMC on a 75-yard interception return. Isaiah Armstrong (Sr., DL, Fairfield, Calif.) and Casey Kraska (Sr., DL, Stephen, Minn.) would both have sacks on the game.

Despite the turnovers, Minot State would still rack up a big day with 515 yards of total offense. The Beavers were led by a banner day from back-up running back Ben Zahniser, who finished with 255 yards rushing on 27 carries with four touchdowns. Zahniser would average 9.8 yards per carry.

Back-up quarterback Jose Escobar would finish the game 10-of-14 for 144 yards through the air with one touchdown and two interceptions. His top target was Keegan Verdugo, who had five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Minot State looked to Trevin Swensen with 11 tackles, while Dalton Houghton had four tackles with three tackles for loss and two sacks.

The Beavers would get on the board first as Zahniser scored his first of four on the day, this time from 65 yards out, to make it 7-0.

Minnesota Crookston would respond as they drove down the field led by a 49-yard rush from Person on first down. The Golden Eagles would culminate the drive as Cole found Connette from three yards out. UMC would miss the point-after attempt on a Connette rush attempt.

The Golden Eagles would take the lead later in the first quarter as they again drove down the field. This time the drive was led by a 44-yard run from Cole to set UMC up in the red zone. Cole would culminate the drive, finding Devante Nutall (R-Fr., TE, Plymouth, Minn.) for a seven-yard strike to make it 13-7.

Minnesota Crookston would extend their lead to 20-7 as Berner ran back an interception of an Isaiah Weed pass 75 yards to pay dirt. The score was the first one for the UMC defense this season.

Minot State would strike quickly to cut the lead to 20-14 as Zahniser ran in from 43 yards out for his second touchdown of the day.

The Beavers would take the advantage 21-20 later in the second quarter as Zahniser rushed in from 45 yards out for his third score of the game.

Minot State would extend their lead to 28-20 in the second quarter when Escobar found Verdugo for a five-yard strike.

Zahniser would run in from six yards out, for his fourth touchdown of the first half, to make it 35-20 going into the break in favor of the Beavers.

The Golden Eagles would cut the deficit in the third quarter to 35-23 as Mike Maw (Sr., K, White Bear Lake, Minn.) connected from 31 yards out for his seventh field goal of the season. 

After a Newman interception for UMC, the Golden Eagles would drive and score again as Cole found Connette for their second touchdown connection of the day, this time from 21 yards out, to cut the Beaver advantage to 35-30.

Cross would get UMC the ball back early in the fourth quarter. However, after driving to the Minot State 49, Cole would be intercepted by J Gonzales to give the ball back to the Beavers. 

Minot State would get their only score of the second half on a 17-yard Aaron La Deaux field goal to make it 38-30.

After a Stephen Day (R-So., K/P, Eveleth, minn.) punt mid-way through the fourth quarter, UMC would get the ball back after Lavante Bushnell fumbled the ball on the punt return, which would be recovered by UMC's Kenneth McChristion (Sr., DB, Bloomington, Minn.) at the Minot State 37. 

The Golden Eagle drive would stall out, giving the ball back to the Beavers. After a defensive stop, the Golden Eagles would get the ball back with 2:10 remaining. However, Cole would lose the ball after being hit hard on a sack by James Harris.

Minot State would attempt to run out the clock, but UMC would get the ball back with one second left. Cole would find Lincoln Tappe (So., WR, Aiea, Hawai'i) for 22 yards, but the game would end as the Golden Eagles fell 40 yards short of pay dirt.

Minnesota Crookston will wrap up their home slate Sat., Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day against No. 24 University of Minnesota Duluth, who is coming off a win over No. 21 Bemidji State University.