Mustangs drop football opener to Mankato

No. 1 ranked Minnesota State racked up 518 yards of offense and pulled away in the second half to earn a 49-13 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in the season opener for both teams at Blakeslee Stadium on Thursday night.

MSU, which finished 13-1 last season, rushed for 268 yards on 39 carries, with Nate Gunn leading the way with 119 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

Ryan Schlichte completed 11 of 15 pass attempts for 201 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Mavericks offense.

MSU's other quarterback, JD Ekowa, rushed for 91 yards and one touchdown, while also completing 5 of 11 passes for 49 yards and one touchdown.

SMSU closed the game with 335 yards of offense and 23 first downs, but converted just 4 of 15 on third-down.

SMSU quarterback Blake Gimbel, who missed the final seven games of the 2017 season, returned to the field tonight and completed 34 of 49 passes for 279 yards and one touchdown.

Gimbel has now recorded 59 career touchdown passes moving into a tie with Josh Shudlick for third all-time in team history.