MAYVILLE, ND -- The Mayville State University Comets began the 2019 campaign and the Jeff Larson era with a 47-8 victory at home against the Lewis-Clark Valley Loggers.
"Anytime we can put some points on the board and move the ball is good," Larson said.
The defense shown bright against Lewis-Clark Valley (LCV), intercepting three passes in the opening game victory.
"It was a great day," Larson said. "A good way to start the season off."
The lone LCV touchdown came with 9:27 to go in the third quarter, when LCV quarterback Leo Gomez connected with Hunter Pike for a seven yard touchdown, and a successful two point conversion pass from Gomez to Ramal Maad.
The first pick-six was a throw that started the scoring, just 2:48 into the game, when Austin Urlaub intercepted the Brandon Wieber pass at the LCV 28-yard line, scampering into the end zone to give the Comets a 6-0 lead. Joshua Portillo's extra point kick made it 7-0.
Then, just over ten minutes later, the Creighton Pfau air raid began. He finished the contest 14-of-23 passing for 165 yards and four passing touchdowns.
"Creighton did a great job," Larson said. "He's a great leader."
With 2:03 to go in the opening quarter, Pfau rolled out of the shotgun formation and found Joshua Portillo wide open for a 34-yard touchdown pass. Portillo missed the extra point kick, and the Comets took a 13-0 lead into the second quarter.
The second quarter started just as the first quarter ended. After the Comets picked up their own kickoff, an eight-play, 42-yard drive ended in a six-yard pass from Pfau to Jacquante Pitts, their first of two touchdown connections, to extend Mayville State's lead to 20-0.
LCV then tried to sustain a drive, unsuccessfully.
With just over 7:30 to go in the half, Pfau again found Pitts wide open for a 10-yard touchdown pass, capping off a 10-play, 65-yard drive.
To close out the first half, the second pick-six of the game came at the goal line, where Ricky Flowers, Jr., picked up the pass, scampered out of the way of LCV's then-defenders, all the way untouched to the endzone for a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, followed by Portillo's PAT, making it 33-0 with 4:43 to go in the half.
Mayville State received the opening kickoff, and it only took seven plays and 63 yards, but Pfau again found the endzone, connecting with Darrel Wilson for a 20-yard touchdown pass, making it 40-0 early in the third.
The final tally of the game came with 7:57 to go in the fourth quarter. With LCV deep in their own end, Brandon Thomas picked off a Gomez throw, returning it 22-yards for a touchdown. A Portillo extra point put the exclamation mark on the game, pushing the Comets to victory.
Second-string quarterback Austin Urlaub came in late, finishing 2-for-3 passing, for 28 yards.
"We talk about 'we want to start a fight, finish a fight and win a fight," Larson said. "It doesn't matter who it is, we don't want to back down."
Leading the rushing attack for the Comets was Cole Dukart, who finished with eight rushes for 37 yards.
Pitts led the receiving corps with six receptions for 50 yards and two touchowns. Portillo had three receptions for 51 yards and a TD, while Wilson had two receptions for 28 yards and a TD. Grafton, N.D., native John Juarez had two receptions, as well, for 28 yards.
The Comets finished with 354 yards total offense, compared to LCV's 305 yards. The Loggers edged Mayville State in time of possession with 24:20, compared to Mayville State's 22:15.
Up next for the Comets, a trip to Duluth, Minn., next Saturday, as the Comets take on the College of St. Scholastica Saints.
"This is their first game," Larson said of the Saints. "I expect a good, tough game."