SMSU Football traveled to Concordia St. Paul to take on the Golden Bears on November 7. SMSU entered the game at 6-3 and CSP was 1-8.

SMSU began the game by kicking off. On the first drive, CSP scored on a long pass play, but an offensive penalty called them back. Using the momentum senior defensive end AJ Page got in the back field and sacked the CSP quarterback forcing a punt.

SMSU took over near midfield and drove it down for a first possession score. The drive was highlighted by a first down reception by wide receiver Kevin Parks to the CSP 27 yard line. Quarterback Blake Gimbel capped off the drive with a three yard run for a touchdown to put the Mustangs up 7-0 with 8:53 left in the first quarter.

CSP’s next possession got one first down but once again the SMSU defense held tough and forced a punt. SMSU got the ball back on their own 34 yard line with 6:33 left in the first quarter.

After gaining two first downs, SMSU turned the ball over on downs in Golden Bear territory. Once again the Mustang defense forced a punt and the Mustangs had the ball at midfield when the first quarter ended.

The Mustang drive stalled with 13:19 left in the half when the Golden Bears intercepted a pass at the CSP 44 yard line.

Soon after, CSP would score on a 20 yard touchdown pass to even up the score at 7-7 with 12:24 left in the first half.

After receiving the kick off, junior running back Ashanti Payne ran for a 56 yard touchdown to put the Mustangs back in the lead. It was a career long run for Payne.

The Golden Bears then drove down the field, but SMSU showed a bend but don’t break style to them, only allowing a field goal from inside their own 10 yard line. The score was 14-10, in favor of SMSU.

After a huge kickoff return by conerback Andrew McReynolds, the SMSU offense took over at the CSP 32 yard line, and quickly turned that good field position into points as Gimbel threw a 16-yard pass to Nathan Huot with 5:09 left in the half. The Mustangs lead 21-10.

Andrew McReynolds continued to stuff his stat sheet with an interception at the SMSU 24 yard line.

The Mustangs drove down the field and Devonte Stevens finished off the drive with a 1 yard touchdown run with 12 seconds left in the half, making the score 28-10 in favor of the Mustangs.

The SMSU offense must see something in their offensive linemen, because to cap off the first drive of the second half, Gimbel threw a screen pass to left tackle Grant Greenfield for his first career catch and touchdown, making the score 35-10.

SMSU would continue to dominate the rest of the second half, ending the game 48-24. With the win, SMSU broke a school record of most wins in a season at the division 2 level.