After failing to score a touchdown in its first game, the Minnesota State football team went 73 yards on 13 plays on its first possession of the game Saturday, leading to a score and eventual 28-14 win over Bemidji State.

MSU’s road victory was its first game in the new Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and head coach Todd Hoffner’s first win as a Maverick.

“It feels great for Maverick players and coaches who put in the hard work and it’s nice to see us come out victorious,” Hoffner said.

The Mavericks capped their opening drive with a Ryan Fick 8-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Flury, the first of two touchdowns the pair would hook up for. Fick threw for 28 yards during the drive and ran for 27 more.

The Beavers countered with a 40-yard touchdown pass on their next drive to tie the game but MSU took the lead for good late in the first quarter when Fick found Flury again for a score, this time from 25 yards out.

MSU added a touchdown in the second and third quarters from running backs Ernest Walker in the second and Julian Phipps in the third. Phipps ended the game with 98 yards rushing and Walker had 94.

Fick ended the game 18 of 34 for 214 yards passing and two touchdowns but had three interceptions.

“Our players were very motivated and determined to prove we left a few things on the table (last week),” Hoffner said. “Our players played hard and played together in a total team effort. Everyone did a great job.”

MSU (1-1, 1-0 NSIC) hosts Mary in a conference game at 1 p.m. Friday at Blakeslee Stadium.