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  • Minnesota State University's Earl Brooks (21) intercepts a pass intended for Concordia receiver Dustin Christen (80) during the first half Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. Pat Christman

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  • Minnesota State University running back Connor Thomas struggles for extra yards near the goal line during the first half Saturday. Pat Christman

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  • Minnesota State quarterback Mitch Brozovich is chased by Concordia's Brock Molden during the first half Saturday. Pat Christman

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September 29, 2012

MSU football moves to 5-0

By Chad Courrier Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — The Minnesota State football team has had a pretty easy time with its first five games, winning by an average of 22 points, with only one game that has been in doubt in the final minutes.

But over the next five weeks, the Mavericks have road games at Augustana, Winona State and Wayne State and a home game against Sioux Falls that will likely determine the success of this season.

“We have a lot of confidence heading into next week (at Augustana),” senior receiver Adam Thielen said. “We have five big wins, and our defense makes it very easy on the offense. We’ll get ready for Augie and see what we can do.”

The Mavericks defeated Concordia-St. Paul 30-10 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. The victory opened the South Division games and made for a happy homecoming.

“The defense was tremendous,” coach Aaron Keen said. “To hold an offense like that to three points in the first half, that was tremendous. We just have to find a way to start better and have out offense match our defense.”

A fumbled punt allowed the Bears to score on the first possession, which ended with a 20-yard field goal.

The Mavericks answered later in the quarter when Sam Brockshus kicked a tying 24-yard field goal. Brockshus added another field goal in the second quarter as the lead went to 6-3 into halftime.

Keen said he had a dream that Concordia-St. Paul would blitz a lot off the edge, and he said that while he told line coach Mike Cunningham of his dream, he never told the players. So when that was the defense the Golden Bears employed, it caught the Mavericks by surprise.

“We didn’t execute as well in the first half,” Keen said. “We knew we were going to have to throw the ball to loosen up the defense. We went to some basic plays and protections, and we executed much better in the second half.”

The Mavericks had 184 yards of offense in the first half, with Mitch Brozovich rushing for 57 yards and 105 yards passing.

In the second half, the Mavericks scored on Brozovich’s 12-yard run, Connor Thomas’ 6-yard run and Taylor Brookins’ 1-yard run. Throw in Brockshus’ third field goal, and the Mavericks had another easy victory, racking up 391 yards of offense with almost eight minutes more of possession time.

“You could tell they were kind of quitting out there,” Brozovich said. “We were pounding the rock at them pretty good, and eventually we broke through.”

Brozovich rushed for 97 yards and passed for 175 yards, completing 12 of 26 passes. Thomas added 91 yards rushing, and Thielen made five catches for 89 yards.

“I thought Mitch threw the ball better,” Keen said. “Early on, he was trying to throw the perfect pass, but we talked on the sidelines. The thing about him is that he’s mentally strong, and he has a lot of confidence in his ability.”

The defense allowed 292 yards, with 51 coming on a late pass. The Bears had 80 yards on their first possession. Defensive end Josh Gordon had eight tackles and a sack, and cornerback Robert Gunderson made six tackles. Earl Brooks and Kelend Smith had interceptions.

“The defense has a lot of confidence,” Gordon said. “Everybody is just doing their job. If you try to do too much, it messes everything up. Just play fast and get to the ball.”

The Mavericks (5-0, 1-0 in South Division) take on Augustana at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“Preparation is everything,” Gordon said. “We prepare every week to go 1-0. We focus on what each offense likes to do, and we try to take that away.”

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