by Hans Bristol / sports@kvsc.org / @hans_bristol (Photo SCSU Athletics)

A large fourth quarter comeback was not enough for the St. Cloud State football team Saturday afternoon, falling to Southwest Minnesota State 42-38 at Husky Stadium.

The contest opened with a scoreless 1st quarter leading to a big scoring 2nd quarter for both teams. John Solber hauled in a 12 yard touchdown pass from Dwayne Lawhorn to open the scoring early in the 2nd quarter.

SMSU would quickly march right back down the field for a scoring drive capped by a Daniel Davis 24 yard touchdown catch to tie the game at 7. That score was followed up seconds later by a Stuart Hamann interception return for a touchdown for SCSU giving the Huskies a 14-7 lead.

St. Cloud State quickly built some space in their lead late in the 2nd quarter, as Joe Blando broke free for a 17 yard touchdown run to make it 21-7 with 4:27 left in the 2nd quarter. SMSU would not shy away from the contest. In the final 2:32 of the 2nd quarter, the Mustangs recorded some quick strike drives finished by a Daniel Davis touchdown catch, then a Bailey Olson touchdown catch to cut the SCSU lead to 21-20 headed into halftime.

High scoring offense would continue to be the game story in the 2nd half. In the 3rd quarter, it was the Mustangs that jumped all over the Huskies defense quick. Max Simmons 8 yard touchdown run started the 3rd quarter for the SMSU offense. That score was followed up with another touchdown drive for the Mustangs three minutes later after a Huskies turnover. Trey Sachs would punch it into the end zone from the one yard line, and SMSU appeared to take a commanding 35-21 lead in to the fourth quarter.

The Huskies offense came out roaring in the fourth quarter. A couple of big passing plays on the SCSU opening drive of the quarter ended in a Curtwan Evans three yard touchdown run cutting the SMSU lead to 35-28.

St. Cloud State’s defense would force a three and out, followed up by a touchdown drive behind big plays from Dwayne Lawhorn and John Solberg resulting in the score tying up at 35 with 8:55 left in the game.

Late in the quarter, Adam Stage knocked through a 45 yard field goal giving the Huskies a 38-35 advantage. That would not prove to be enough to bury the Mustangs. SMSU’s offense managed a clutch 9 play 75 yard drive in just 1:49 topped off by a TD catch by Daniel Davis to give the Mustangs the 42-38 win over SCSU.

Huskies football travels to Winona next weekend for a matchup against the Winona State Warriors.