MAYVILLE, N.D. –  Mayville State Comets Football battled No. 5-ranked Montana Tech on Saturday afternoon at Jerome Berg Field, but the Orediggers used a strong third quarter to pull away for a 34-20 victory. The loss drops the Comets to 6-3 overall and 2-2 in Frontier Conference East Division play.

Mayville State controlled much of the game's possession, holding the football for nearly 40 minutes while running 79 offensive plays compared to just 40 for Montana Tech. The Comets also out gained the Orediggers 314-261 in total offense, but Montana Tech capitalized on scoring opportunities to secure the conference victory.

The Comets opened the game with an impressive 13-play, 61-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes of the first quarter. Harry Cousins capped the possession with a 25-yard field goal to give Mayville State an early 3-0 advantage. Montana Tech responded late in the quarter with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jarrett Wilson to Luke Bilau, taking a 7-3 lead.

Mayville State continued to establish its ground game in the second quarter, putting together a 19-play, 68-yard drive that took 10 minutes and 37 seconds off the clock. Cousins connected on his second field goal of the afternoon, this time from 30 yards, to bring the Comets within one point at 7-6. However, Montana Tech answered with a one-yard touchdown run by Ikaika Ho to take a 14-6 lead into halftime.

The Orediggers extended their advantage early in the third quarter with a 41-yard field goal from Casey Kautzman and a 12-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Nick Michelotti, pushing their lead to 24-6.

Mayville State responded with one of its best offensive possessions of the afternoon. The Comets marched 80 yards in six plays, finishing the drive with a three-yard touchdown run by Jack Simmers to cut the deficit to 24-13 midway through the third quarter.

Montana Tech quickly answered with a six-yard touchdown run by Levi Torgerson, restoring an 18-point advantage heading into the final quarter. A 50-yard field goal from Kautzman midway through the fourth extended the Orediggers' lead to 34-13.

The Comets continued to battle late in the contest, putting together a 10-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Aiden Marcussen connected with Cameron Spaeth on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 1:08 remaining to bring the final score to 34-20.

Mayville State finished with 219 rushing yards on 67 attempts, establishing a physical presence against one of the nation's top-ranked teams. The Comets recorded 20 first downs, including 15 on the ground, and converted 11 of their 20 third-down opportunities.

Defensively, Mayville State held Montana Tech to just 90 rushing yards and 261 yards of total offense. 

The Comets will look to take good things from this game into Saturday, October 31, when they travel to Madison, South Dakota, to face No. 25 Dakota State University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Blankley Field.

Watch the full post game interview with Rocky Larson and Craig Keating out of KMAV: https://youtu.be/pGDD1cv0-Zo