MADISON, S.D. — The Mayville State University Comets traveled to Madison, S.D., on Saturday to take on the Dakota State Trojans in their second-to-last game of the spring season. Dakota State took the lead early and never looked back, defeating the Comets 26-7 at Trojan Field in Madison.

Mayville State's lone touchdown came with 23 seconds to go in the fourth quarter as Tim Salmon connected with Reece Smith for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Samer Waz's extra point kick pulled the Comets to within 19 points, but it was too late to mount any sort of a comeback, as the Trojans had jumped out to a 26-0 lead already — paced by a 19-point first half performance against the road Comets.

The lone Comet score capped off a seven-play, 77-yard drive, which consumed nearly five minutes of game time.

The Comets only lost the football to an interception once during the contest, with 8:12 to go in the first half, when Salmon's pass, which was intended for Reece Smith, was intercepted by Noah Guse at the Comets' own 44 yard line.

Salmon finished the contest 10-of-24 passing for 97 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

Cole Dukart led all Comet rushers with 10 rushes for 52 yards, followed by Jason Nelson's three rushes for five yards. Salmon carried the ball five times for three yards.

Josh Portillo led all receivers with seven receptions, but totaled only 30 yards. Smith had two receptions for a total of 57 yards and one touchdown. Maalik Flowers added one reception for 10 yards.

Up Next

Mayville State (2-6, 1-5 NSAA) will wrap up their spring campaign with a road exhibition game at Martin Luther College next Saturday in New Ulm, Minn. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. at the MLC Football Bowl in New Ulm.

Martin Luther College is a member of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and is a NCAA Division III affiliated school.

The Saturday morning contest will be the first meeting between the two schools.

According to the UMAC, no fans will be allowed at Saturday's contest.