UMD football shuts down Marauders for first NSIC win of 2024

BISMARCK, N.D. — Minnesota Duluth's defense simply allowed no opportunities for Mary to hand the Bulldogs a second upset loss in as many weeks, dominating the Marauders in a 43-7 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football victory on Saturday.

UMary's only points came on a fumble returned for a touchdown with 2:16 to play in a contest that was already out of hand. The Marauders were outgained 365-92 and had minus-8 rushing yards on 30 carries.

The Bulldogs didn't put the game away until scoring three touchdowns in the last 6:16 of the third quarter, but got to 2-1 on the season (1-1 NSIC).

UMD quarterback Kyle Walljasper lost a fumble in the red zone on the first drive of the game, but led UMD 57 yards on its second drive for a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Durocher just before the end of the first quarter. He then helped double UMD's lead with a 24-yard run to the end zone midway through the second.

The Marauders offense didn't cross into UMD territory until 1:53 remained in the first half, and even then UMD's Brady Herbst blocked a 43-yard field goal attempt to keep the hosts off the board.

Walljasper capped another long UMD drive in the third quarter with a 15-yard connection with Ryder Patterson, followed by a successful two-point conversion. A drive later, a 34-yard play from Walljasper to Durocher set up Alex Riley's 15-yard touchdown run. Three plays later, Kenneth Stevenson swiped a Marauders pass and took it 32 yards the other way to remove whatever doubt remained.

Walljasper ran for 139 yards on 17 attempts while throwing for 135 yards on 11-of-17 passing. The Bulldogs got nine different receivers involved.

UMD returns home for a Saturday, Sept. 28 matchup with Southwest Minnesota State at noon.