By Chad Courrier
WARRENSBURG, MO. — Minnesota State drove inside Central Missouri’s 20-yard line four times but couldn’t get a touchdown.
“That was the theme of the game,” said Todd Hoffner, who was making his debut as Minnesota State coach. “We got close a lot but didn’t make enough plays. As a defense, we gave up plenty of points, too. As coaches, we have to do a better job of putting the players in position to win.”
The Mavericks fell behind 20-0 in the first half and lost 29-9 to Central Missouri in the nonconference football season-opener Thursday. Freshman Spencer Goff accounted for the offense with three field goals.
The start of the game was delayed nearly two hours by a thunderstorm.
Central Missouri scored on its first possession, going 73 yards in 10 plays, converting once on fourth-and-7 and scoring on a 2-yard pass for a 7-0 lead.
Minnesota State’s opening drive stalled on a fourth-down play at the 22, and Central Missouri tacked on a field goal before the end of the quarter.
The Mules added a 9-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter and a 25-yard field goal after a Minnesota State fumble to make it 20-0.
The Mavericks, who defeated Central Missouri 23-14 in last season’s opener at Blakeslee Stadium, had a 14-play drive that ended with Goff’s 29-yard field goal that made it 20-3, and he added a 19-yarder with 29 seconds to play in the half that made it 20-6.
Central Missouri quarterback Eric Czerniewski completed 13 of 19 passes for 230 yards and two scores in the first half, while Minnesota State’s Ryan Fick was 9 of 17 for 145 yards.
Kelvin Rodgers opened the second half with a 56-yard kick return, but the Mavericks’ drive stalled on a fourth-and-1 at the Mules’ 12. Later in the quarter, Minnesota State gave up a safety by snapping the ball over the punter’s head and out of the end zone for a 22-6 deficit..
Goff’s third field goal, a 37-yarder, came with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter after the Mavericks had driven to the 4. The drive was set up by an interception by defensive lineman Bryan Schmid.
The Mules scored their final touchdown a fourth-and-9 play that covered 30 yards with 3:55 remaining in the game.
Central Missouri gained 392 yards of offense, with 319 yards by Czerniewski, who completed 21 of 32 passes. Edgar Givens caught six passes for 94 yards and two scores.
“Central Missouri was burning different fuel than we were,” Hoffner said. “They were one step faster than us, they were more physical than us. But the kids never quit, and they played the game with class.”
Minnesota State gained 324 yards of offense, with Fick completing 17 of 41 passes for 213 yards. Vinny Flury had six receptions for 78 yards, and Damian Turner made five catches for 89 yards. Jake Aberg was the leading rusher with 55 yards on 12 carries.
Linebacker Blake Freese led the Mavericks with eight tackles, one more than linebacker Matt McQuiston. Defensive end Michael Robinson had 1.5 sacks. Minnesota State had 33:01 in time of possession and committed only one turnover.
The Mavericks open the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule Saturday, Sept. 6, at Bemidji State.
