Area college football roundup: MSU Mankato rallies in fourth quarter to advance in D-II playoffs

For the second time in eight days, Minnesota State Mankato used a dramatic rally in the fourth quarter to advance in the NCAA Division II football playoffs.

Matt Jaeger’s 32-yard field goal with a second remaining lifted the Mavericks to a 26-23 victory over host Colorado State Pueblo on Saturday. The Mavericks — who defeated Augustana 20-19 in the first round last week on Jaeger’s 34-yard field goal as time expired — will play host to Bemidji State next Saturday in the third round.

Down 16-6 after three quarters, the Mavericks pulled within three points with 9:36 to play on Grant Guyett’s 36-yard touchdown catch from Hayden Ekern.

MSU Mankato then recovered an onside kick, and Ekern’s 15-yard TD run gave the Mavericks a 20-16 lead.

The ThunderWolves responded with a six-play, 62-yard drive to take a 23-20 lead with four minutes left. Again, the Mavericks answered, tying the score on Jaeger’s 40-yard field goal with a minute left.

The Mavericks got the ball back when Cade Stingle intercepted a pass and returned it 9 yards to the ThunderWolves 22 with 42 seconds remaining. They gained 7 yards to set up Jaeger’s winning kick, his fourth field goal of the game.

Ekern passed for 212 yards and a TD for the Mavericks, who outgained the ThunderWolves 387-355.

Bemidji State 20, Western Colorado 19: Gabe Ward returned a Mountaineers fumble 75 yards for a touchdown with 4:31 to play and the the Beavers advanced to the third round of the D-II playoffs for the first time with a come-from-behind victory in Gunnison, Colo.

Playing in single-digit temperatures and at an elevation of 7,723 feet, the Beavers trailed 19-7 in the third quarter.

Sam McGath’s 3-yard TD pass to Jayden Washington capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive, pulling Bemidji State within 19-14 late in the third quarter.

After Ward’s touchdown, the Beavers stopped the Mountaineers twice on downs to hang on.

Bethel 48, Lake Forest 21: The Royals put together four consecutive scoring drives in the second half to pull away from visiting Lake Forest for the second-round victory.

Cooper Drews threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns and Aaron Ellingson rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns for Bethel (10-2), which will play Wartburg in the third round next week. Wartburg defeated Wisconsin-Platteville 19-14 on Saturday.

The Royals, who trailed 14-13 at halftime, punted on their first possession of the third quarter before scoring three touchdowns in the third quarter to open a 34-14 lead.

After Lake Forest scored in the first minute of the fourth quarter to pull with 34-21, the Royals scored on back-to-back drives.

Joshua Gasca passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns for the Foresters, who suffered their first loss of the season.