Penalties cost the Mustangs the Ag Bowl game in a loss to Wayne State 41-39.  12 penalties for 101 yards is difficult for any team to overcome, but to give up that many yards and still have a chance to win is miraculous.

The Wildcats lost three fumbles and threw three interceptions which kept the Mustangs in it. The game came down to one final two-point conversion that the Mustangs could not complete.

SMSU quarterback Blake Gimbel was disappointed with the outcome of the game.

“Defense gave us the ball back, gave us a chance. It didn’t take us very long to get down there. I think everybody kinda knew we were probably gonna score,” Gimbel said “It was just unfortunate that so many things led up to it that we had to go for two at the end.”   

Gimbel was 24 of 35 for 256 passing yards and one interception compared to Wayne State’s Zach Osborne who was 23 of 33 for 348 yards passing with three interceptions.

SMSU Running back Max Simmons led the rushing attack with 22 rushes for 102 yards while SMSU defensive back Dallin Finley led the team in tackles with seven.

SMSU Coach Cory Sauter felt the Mustangs could have played better.

“We just didn’t play well early in the game I really felt,” said Sauter. “Our first couple series offensively we didn’t really do anything. [We] had some three and outs and we just couldn’t get on track early on.”

SMSU falls to 4-3 on the season, but has a short week as they play an away game Thursday vs Minnesota State Mankato. MSU brings a 5-2 record after defeating Augustana in Sioux Falls on Saturday night.