Missed opportunities and turnovers were the downfall of the Mustangs when they faced off against Northern State (NSU) on September 10. The Mustangs gave up 28 points in turnovers and special teams miscues.

“If you give up 28 points in turnovers you’re not going to beat anyone in the Northern Sun [intercollegiate conference],” Coach Sauter said.

It was a back and forth battle in the first half. Northern State scored first on a short touchdown run. SMSU answered with a short touchdown run by Ashanti Payne to tie the game at 7.

Halfway through the second quarter, NSU blocked an SMSU punt and returned it for a touchdown to make the score 21-7.

SMSU fought back and Payne was able to punch in his second touchdown of the game narrowing the gap to seven.

The ensuing kickoff was returned 87 yards to the SMSU 10. The SMSU defense held strong however, forcing NSU to kick a field goal.

NSU got the ball back after an SMSU punt and in the last play of the first half Chance Steward scooped up an NSU fumble and returned it for a touchdown to bring the Mustangs within 3 points at halftime.

In the second half, turnovers proved to be the Achilles heel for the mustang offense, as every time they seemed to start moving the ball, they’d give it back to NSU.

SMSU lost two fumbles on offense and threw two interceptions. NSU took advantage of the SMSU miscues as the Wolves ran away with the game in the fourth quarter.

The final score was NSU 51- SMSU 35.

“You can’t say we didn’t have opportunities,” Coach Sauther said after the game. “Despite all of the mistakes, we still had a chance to win the ball game.”