Running backs Walton Hudson and Max Simmons combined for 287 rushing yards to lead the Mustangs to a 28-14 win over Concordia St. Paul (2-6) on Oct. 29 at Matkke Field. Running back Divonte Beale and Quarterback Blake Gimbel added 59 yards to the rushing total to set a new school rushing record 70 attempts for 312 yards.
Blake Gimbel methodically drove the Mustangs down the field to start the game. The drive ended with a 10-yard touchdown run by Max Simmons at the 10:48 mark of the first quarter. Gimbel’s extra point was good to make the score 7-0.
The Golden Bears had to punt on their next two possessions. Still up 7-0, the Mustangs started with the ball on the Golden Bear’s 34 yard line. That drive ended with a 13-yard touchdown run by Gimbel. The extra point was good to make the score 14-0 SMSU.
The Golden Bears then made a methodical drive of their own to keep the game interesting at 14-7. On the following possession, Gimbel threw a 14-yard pass to wide receiver Nate Huot to put the Mustangs up 21-7 to end the first quarter.
Concordia St. Paul attempted a field goal in the second quarter but an SMSU leaping penalty negated the field goal try moving the Golden Bears two yards closer to the end zone. The Golden Bears Junior Quarterback Ron Johnson eventually found wide receiver Marcus Gustaveson on a 13-yard touchdown pass to end the half at 21-14.
With the momentum clearly in the Golden Bears favor, the field started to get a little wet as rain sprinkled down to start the third quarter.
The Golden Bears defense came to play and they held the Mustangs to 22 plays for 82 yards and no scores. The Mustangs would finally score off a 19-yard touchdown run by Walton Hudson to make the score 28-14 at the 13:43 mark of the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs defense showed up in the fourth quarter holding the Golden Bears to 21 plays for 56 total yards and a final score of 28-14.
“We made a commitment to the run and we stayed with it and 70 carries which is a school record, at least I certainly felt like we ran it every single time,” Head Coach Cory Sauter said. “So I know Winona will have an interesting week trying to prepare for us, wondering what we’re going to do.”