Mavericks return to Blakeslee

After a victorious 36-22 season opener victory against No. 22 Northwest Missouri State, Hayden Ekern and the No. 8 Maverick football team have another “Battle of the Ranked” game to test them in the early stages of the season. 

Ekern put it all on the field for MSU in the home opener last Thursday letting the nation know that he is already in midseason form. While on the road, he went 18 of 25 in the air for 209 yards and a touchdown. He also capped off his day with not one, two or three rushing touchdowns. He left the field with 59 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns giving him the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Week title. 

Along with putting points on the board, he played his role as quarterback to a tee and led the team when it mattered. 

“I’m proud of the way Hayden played,” Head Coach Todd Hoffner said in a press conference. “I’m also proud of his leadership and his performance during big plays down the stretch.”

Now coming to take him on is a familiar rival, the No. 20 Bemidji State Beavers who are also coming off a season opener thriller. The Beavers bested Michigan Tech in overtime 19-13. The duo of quarterback Sam McGath and wide receiver Brice Peters combined for 12 of the Beavers’ 19 points. 

The other seven points came from kicker Joey Prondzinski who took home NSIC Special Teams player of the Week. 

If the Mavericks use their powerhouse defense against the Beavers, the odds may be in their favor. The Mavericks were a brick wall against the Bearcats as they didn’t let up a single rushing yard. In fact, the Bearcats left the game with -17 yards on the ground. 

Bemidji gained 173 rushing yards in their opener but if the Mavs are able to dwindle that number down, it may tire out their backfield leaving more room for error for McGath in the air. 

Last season, the Mavs beat the Beavers in a 27-24 victory on the road. Ekern threw for 198 yards and defensive back Khai West tallied five tackles and an interception.  If MSU wins on Saturday it will extend their winning streak to five games against BSU. 

The return to Blakeslee Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m. under the lights with a movie after the game.

Photo caption: The Mavericks will play Bemidji State for the home opener in Maverick Football. (Courtesy Maverick Athletics)

Write to Luke Jackson at luke.jackson.2@mnsu.edu