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MSU football blanked 24-0 in season opener

St. PAUL, Minn. — Minot State first-year coach Mike Aldrich likes to refer to the college football season opener as a preseason game, even if the result still counts.

The Beavers certainly played like it was their first game under a new coaching staff Thursday, getting shut out by Concordia St. Paul 24-0 in St. Paul, Minn.

MSU put two promising drives together to open the game, but couldn’t finish as MSU kicker JoseLuis Moreno failed to connect on a pair of field goals from 35 and 44 yards out.

The Beavers’ defense picked up the offense by making a goal line stand, stuffing CSP running back Darnell Rolle on the one-yard line on fourth-and-goal to keep the game scoreless early in the second quarter.

CSP wideout Marcus Gustaveson was a thorn in MSU’s side, catching five passes for 111 yards in the first half. Gustaveson caught the Golden Bears’ lone touchdown of the first half on a tip drill in the second quarter after MSU defensive back Kiante Goudeau knocked CSP quarterback Maxon Hutton’s ball in the air and into Gustaveson’s arms for an early 7-0 lead.

Hutton was 8-of-14 for 143 yards in the opening half, throwing a touchdown and throwing an interception to MSU’s Kywan Owens. He finished 12-of-22 for 168 yards.

Making his first start since Week 2 of last season, sixth-year senior Zac Cunha struggled to find a rhythm early. Cunha was 6-of-14 for 63 yards in the opening half and had a costly fumble in the red zone with 17 seconds remaining in the half. He finished 15-of-35 for 175 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Rolle got the Golden Bears started in the second half with a 56-yard run on their opening possession, then capped off the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run. The speedster running back finished with 17 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown.

CSP added a field goal on its second drive of the second half, then sealed the game in the fourth quarter with a five-yard touchdown run from running back Shaq Johnson.

For MSU, running back Larry Overstreet led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 55 yards, while wide receiver Ray Watkins had four catches for 68 yards. The Golden Bears outgained Minot State 367-239 and racked up 199 rushing yards. Bryce Broome had nine tackles defensively, while Goudeau had eight and Donnell Vercher also racked up eight.

MSU is back in action at 1 p.m. on Sept. 9 against Augustana in its home opener at Herb Parker Stadium.

Garrick Hodge covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @Garrick_Hodge.

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