The M State football team won their final regular season home game on Saturday, defeating Minnesota West by the score of 28-0 in a game that ended with 9:36 remaining when an on field altercation between the two teams escalated and it was decided that the game should not continue. The Spartans were able to capitalize on 6 Minnesota West turnovers in the game, interceptions by Jaden Reed, Dayvion Teague, Kamm Blackmon and Nathan Hubbard, Jr., and fumble recoveries by Sam Tagg and Joshua Gonleh.
The Spartans scored a pair of first quarter touchdowns as they took advantage of a pair of turnovers. After Minnesota West fumbled on the first play of the game, Rashad Madden turned it into points with a 40 yard touchdown run. Jaydon Manteufel kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead. At the 10:15 mark of the quarter, Blackmon picked off a pass and returned it 60 yards for a TD. Manteufel again booted the extra point for a 14-0 lead after one.
Madden scored his second touchdown of the day on a 5 yard run with 9:26 left in the first half and the Spartans had a 21-0 halftime advantage.
The final TD of the day came on a 22 yard interception return by Teague. Manteufel tacked on the PAT for a 28-0 lead.
Madden ran the ball 18 times for 115 yards to lead the ground attack. Dylan Tatum completed 3 of 6 passes for 51 yards. Ian Stanton (1 catch, 20 yards), Jaion Slaydon-Brown (1 catch, 18 yards) and Madden (1 catch, 13 yards) each had on reception.
Defensively, Jeremiah Gaines, Taufa’asau Siaki and Antonio Diaz each recorded a sack. Antron Williams (4 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles) led the team with 7 total tackles.
M State will host a first round playoff game against Central Lakes College from Brainerd on Saturday at 1:30pm in Fergus Falls. The Spartan beat Central Lakes, 38-22, in their season opener on September 2.