Farhan Mohamed/Special to the MDN Minot State wideout Ray Watkins (84) runs with the ball in open field Saturday.

CROOKSTON, Minn. — Senior Larry Overstreet rushed for 111 yards and scored on a 7-yard run with 18 seconds to play in the fourth quarter leading Minot State to a 42-35 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory over Minnesota Crookston on Saturday at Ed Widseth Field.

The touchdown run by Overstreet capped a wild fourth quarter as the teams combined to score 29 points, but the Beavers scored the final seven to secure the victory.

After forcing a three-and out, Lane Torgerson gave the Beavers excellent field position after returning the ensuing punt 31 yards to the Minot State 46-yard line.

Overstreet galloped for 20 yards on the first play of the drive giving the Beavers a first down at the Minnesota Crookston 34-yard line.

After two runs by Overstreet and a sack, the Beavers faced a 4th-and-2 from the Golden Eagles 26-yard line, but a holding penalty gave the Beavers a first down on the Minnesota Crookston 16-yard line.

Zac Cunha connected with Taylor Maloney for five yards and Overstreet rushed for four yards and the Beavers called a timeout with 23 seconds to play. On the next play, Overstreet scampered around the left end and found the end zone giving Minot State the lead.

Minnesota Crookston used two pass plays to move into Minot State territory on the next possession, but Ellis Parr tackled Minnesota Crookston quarterback Joseph Nava after a 9-yard gain to end the contest.

Minot State improved to 2-7 overall and 2-3 in the NSIC North, while Minnesota Crookston dropped to 0-9 overall and 0-5 in the NSIC North.

Minot State quarterback Zac Cunha had his best performance of the season as he was 19-of-26 for 157 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a touchdown run in the second quarter.

Lavante Bushnell caught seven passes and a touchdown, while Ray Watkins and Ryan Fila also hauled in touchdown receptions for the Beavers.

Bryce Broome had nine tackles to lead the Minot State defense, while Nikko Walker recorded five tackles and also intercepted his second pass of the season.

The Beavers featured a balanced offensive attack on Saturday as they rushed for 167 yards and threw for another 171 yards to finish the game with 338 yards of total offense.

Minot State wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard as Torgerson returned the opening kickoff 50 yards to the Minnesota Crookston 35-yard line and Cunha connected with Fila for a 35-yard touchdown pass on the Beavers first play from scrimmage giving MSU a 7-0 lead with 14:45 to play in the opening quarter.

Minnesota Crookston answered with a six-play, 45-yard drive that was capped by Nava connecting with Adam Connette for a 9-yard touchdown pass tying the score at 7-7 with 12:08 to play in the first quarter.

The Beavers regained the lead on their next drive as they marched 70 yards in 12 plays and Cunha found Watkins from 12 yards out to put Minot State back in front 14-7 with 5:17 to play in the opening quarter.

After forcing a Golden Eagle three-and-out, Minot State put together a methodical 14-play, 65-yard drive capped by Cunha scoring from a yard out to push the Beavers lead to 21-7 with 9:59 to play before halftime.

Minnesota Crookston cut the lead to 21-13 on its next drive, but the Beavers took that margin into halftime.

Minot State extended the lead to 28-13 with 7:58 to play in the third quarter when Lucas Butts scored from 1-yard out, which marked his first career rushing touchdown.

Minnesota Crookston responded on its next drive as Nava found Matt Haire for a 7-yard score cutting the lead to 28-20 with 4:18 to play in the third quarter.

The Golden Eagles then tied the game early in the fourth quarter when Nava threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Rod Stewart to knot the game at 28-28 with 14:18 to play in the contest.

Minot State answered the touchdown with another long drive as the Beavers went 65 yards in 12 plays capped by Cunha finding Bushnell for a 7-yard touchdown pass giving MSU a 35-28 lead with 7:50 to play.

It took Minnesota Crookston just two plays to tie the game for the second time in the fourth quarter as Nava connected with Stewart for a 62-yard touchdown pass with 6:55 remaining in the game.

After the teams traded possessions, the Beavers began their game-winning drive with 3:43 to play in the fourth quarter.

Minot State returns to Herb Parker Stadium on Saturday (Nov. 4) for its final home game of the season against Minnesota State Moorhead. Kickoff for Senior Day is slated for 1 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Midco Sports Network.

— Minot State athletics