Defense makes it stand

COPY OF MINOT DAILY NEWS ARTICLE link

By MICHAEL LINNELL, Sports Editor mlinnell@ndweb.com

Twice the University of Mary had the ball in perfect position to score. Twice the Minot State University defense stopped them.

The two plays preserved the Beavers' 14-10 non-conference win over Mary Saturday in front of a large homecoming crowd at Herb Parker Stadium.

"Our mentality is once we got ahead 7-3 that is all we need," Sideris, who finished with 14 tackles, said. "There is a lot of competition on the defense to see who is going to have the most tackles. We feed off each other."

While the 7-3 lead wasn't quite enough, MSU's offense was good enough to score enough for the win. MSU got a rushing touchdown from Manny Gutierrez in the third quarter and a 10-yard Jamar Culver to Josh Kringen pass in the fourth. The Kringen pass came on the ensuing drive after Mary had regained the lead.

"It was huge to get right back," MSU coach Mike Sivertson said. "That showed a lot of heart to score right away. The offense responded."

The two team's defenses were the story early in the game. MSU's touchdown by Gutierrez came with just 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Gutierrez score, though, opened a mini floodgate as the teams traded touchdowns on the next two possessions.

Mary's Leon Cradle made a great tip-catch, tipping the ball to himself on a Matt Pearce pass, and then running away from the MSU defense for a 66-yard touchdown on the first play in the fourth quarter.

"The play gave us the lead, but we knew MSU had a high-powered offense," Mary coach Myron Schulz said. "The two fourth-and-one plays hurt us. We decided to go for points because we knew what MSU could do."

Kringen's eventual game-winner came on a nine-play drive. On the drive, MSU thought it had a touchdown eight plays earlier as Kringen had a ball go off his hands and into the hands of Silas Sneed, who raced into the end zone. The touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty, but MSU pressed on.

"It wasn't that big of deal," Culver said. "We just got back to work and put it behind us. The running game and the offensive line have really opened things up."

Schulz credited MSU's defense, which gave up only 62 yards rushing in the win.

"They just run so well," he said of the MSU defense. "We couldn't sustain blocks. They pursue the ball so well."

Culver was close to perfect on the day as he went 21-of-30 for 256 yards and a score. He continually found Ronnie Patrick (6 catches, 48 yards) underneath and Sneed (5 catches, 112 yards) over the top.

"They were giving us a lot of cushion and we are smart enough to take what they give us," Sneed said. "It was a conscious decision (to go a little deeper)."

Mary had to go to its second string quarterback in the second quarter after starter Tom Kirchffner was injured. Backup Pearce was solid going 10-of-18 for 169 yards and a score.

"They have solid players," Sivertson said. "Even after we held them (on fourth down in the fourth quarter), we weren't comfortable."

Guetierrez found some running room, collecting 56 yards on 20 carries before leaving the game with a cramp. Andre James filled in nicely gaining 52 yards on 11 carries, most coming late in the game. MSU did not hurt itself with turnovers, fumbling twice and losing just one, while Culver wasn't picked off.

"I think it is a confidence thing," Sneed said. "We know we are all capable of making plays. I think Jamar is getting more comfortable and we are all a little more experienced."

The Beavers (2-0 DAC, 3-2 overall) held a decisive edge on time-of-possession as they controlled 34 minutes, 13 seconds of the game compared to just 22:01 for the Marauders (4-1 overall). The Beavers were only penalized three times for 24 yards and had the edge in total yards, 348-323.

"I can't explain it," Culver said when asked about how it felt to top Mary. "We focused all week long and then went out and did it."