Despite a strong second quarter, the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustang football team dropped their season-opener Ag Bowl game to the St. Cloud State University Huskies on Saturday, Sept. 7. The two teams combined for a total of 998 yards and 55 first downs, 34 of those belonging to the Mustangs. SMSU also totaled 94 defensive plays.
Junior Charlie Kern made his first appearance as a Mustang starter. Kern completed 36 of 55 pass attempts, throwing for 307 yards with two touchdowns. Kern also rushed for 54 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. Junior running back Tyler Tonderum totaled a career-high 83 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Senior tight end Cody Condon led the Mustang offense with eight catches for 75 yards.
The Huskies gained momentum quickly, picking up a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Mustangs would remain scoreless throughout the remainder of the first quarter. Moving into the second quarter, the Mustangs put together an impressive drive, advancing 80 yards on 12 plays as Kern ended the drive with a 9-yard run into the end zone, cutting the deficit to 14-7.
The SCSU Huskies responded with a touchdown of their own, extending their lead to 21-7 with 9:43 left in the second quarter.
In their next possession, the Mustangs were forced to punt on their first drive. However, three plays later, sophomore cornerback Andrew McReynolds recovered intercepted the ball at the Mustangs’ 19-yardline. The Mustangs took advantage, cutting the lead to 21-14 as Kern connected with senior wide receiver Anthony Dean on a 15-yard touchdown with three minutes left before the half.
SMSU’s defense forced a three-and-out by SCSU. Starting at the Husky 34-yard line, Kern connected on a 21-yard pass to Jordan Cross. On the next play, Tonderum entered the end zone on a 13-yard run to tie the game 21-21 with just over a minute left in the game.
Early in the third quarter, the Huskies connected on a 67-yard touchdown to regain the lead, putting them up 28-21. The Huskies recovered control of the ball at the Mustang 39-yard line after partially blocking punter Mike Wenk’s kick. The Huskies were quick to extend their lead, scoring on a 9-yard run, making the score 34-21 after missing the extra point.
The Mustangs responded to the Huskies, driving 15 plays and picking up 80 yards. Tonderum ended the drive with a three-yard run, cutting the deficit to 34-28 with just under seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Despite SMSU’s quick response, on the next kickoff the Huskies carried the ball from the 1-yard line to the Mustang 21-yard line. Two plays later, SCSU scored on a 12-yard run and a two-point-pass, extending their lead to 42-28.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Huskies picked up another touchdown, making the score 49-28.
On their next drive, the Mustangs kept the game alive as Kern connected on six passes, advancing the team 75 yards in 10 plays. Kern closed the drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Will Kurka to cut the deficit to 49-35 with just under ten minutes of play remaining. This would mark Kurka’s first career touchdown.
Both teams would remain scoreless for the remainder of the game. Dashawn Miller and Blake Pennock led the Mustang defense with nine tackles apiece. AJ Page totaled eight tackles, with three for the loss and two sacks. Tate Bunker also picked up eight tackles.