PUEBLO, COLO. — Postseason football games often come down to kickers.
Minnesota State kicker Matthew Jaeger keeps being leaned upon to make clutch kicks and he just keeps delivering.
The Mavericks played a nearly perfect fourth quarter, which included two late field goals from Jaeger to complete an impressive comeback in a 26-23 win over top-seeded Colorado State-Pueblo in the second round of the NCAA tournament Saturday.
“It was a bonkers game … the chain of events by the whole team was nothing short of exceptional,” MSU coach Todd Hoffner said. “Really proud of the players and coaches.”
Trailing 23-20 with 4:02 remaining, the Mavericks drove 52 yards to set up Jaeger’s 40-yard field goal to tie the game with 1:00 left in regulation.
On the ensuing possession, MSU’s Cade Stingle made an interception deep in ThunderWolves’ territory, returning it nine yards to the Pueblo 22. MSU quarterback Hayden Ekern scrambled for some yardage, which set up Jaeger’s game-winning 32-yard kick in the final seconds.
Jaeger also made a 34-yard game-winner in the closing seconds of a 20-19 upset of fourth-seeded Augustana in the first round last week.
“For him to deliver like that … he’s been magical with his foot on the football,” Hoffner said.
MSU trailed the ThunderWolves 16-6 entering the final quarter, but cut into the lead when Ekern hit Grant Guyett for a 36-yard touchdown pass early in the frame. Jaeger’s extra point made it 16-13.
On the ensuing kickoff, MSU recovered Jaeger’s onside kick and then drove 44 yards for a touchdown. Ekern scored on a 15-yard rush and Jaeger’s extra point gave MSU a 20-16 lead.
The Mavericks also recovered a key onside kick from Jaeger in the fourth quarter of last week’s win over the Vikings.
“He executed them very well,” Hoffner said of the onside kicks. “That ball was bouncing around forever.”
Pueblo answered with 4:02 remaining in the game with a touchdown and extra point that gave them a 23-20 lead, but the MSU offense couldn’t be stopped, immediately driving down the field to set up the first of Jaeger’s two late field goals.
Coming into the game, Hoffner was focused on containing the ThunderWolves’ explosive passing game, which ranked fifth in Division II at 311.7 yards per game.
Pueblo moved the ball well, accumulating 273 passing yards and gaining 355 total yards, but MSU didn’t surrender a pass play of more than 32 yards.
“We definitely wanted to keep things in front of us,” Hoffner said. “I thought we minimized their weapons.”
The Mavericks (10-3) will host Bemidji State in the NCAA quarterfinals Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. The Beavers upset second-seeded Western Colorado 20-19 to advance.
MSU beat Bemidji State 31-29 back in September, with Jaeger hitting a game-winning field goal in the final seconds.
“They’re playing really well. They’re physical, they’re strong, they’re powerful upfront,” Hoffner said. “The last two times we’ve played them, it’s been an instant classic. It’s going to be another nail-biter, I’m sure.”
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