KANSAS CITY, KAN. – One of the greatest seasons in Minnesota State Mankato history wasn't enough for the Mavericks.
"That's all you get, 60 minutes, a chance to compete, and if you don't get it done you have a result like today," Mavericks coach Todd Hoffner said.
Minnesota State fell to Colorado State-Pueblo 13-0 in the NCAA Division II Championship Game on Saturday at Sporting Park.
For a team that had rolled up at least 40 points on four of its previous five opponents, the shutout was startling. It was a first for the program since 2004, a span of 128 games.
There were few good scoring opportunities. The best was Alden's Haffar's 27-yard field goal attempt that was blocked in the second quarter.
In the second half, Minnesota State crossed into CSU-Pueblo territory three times but stalled on each occasion. The Mavericks amassed 265 total yards and 12 first downs, but they sustained few drives. They punted nine times.
"We couldn't get on a roll," quarterback Ricky Lloyd said. "We couldn't get anything going."
CSU-Pueblo had something to do with it. The ThunderWolves were quick and athletic. They also were perceptive.
Earlier in the week, CSU-Pueblo coach John Wristen noticed the Mavericks led the nation in scoring defense.
"I made sure our guys knew that," Wristen said.
The point being, the ThunderWolves take immense pride in their defense. They got to the championship game by surviving a 10-7 semifinal slugfest with West Georgia last week.
CSU-Pueblo's defense was on top of its game Saturday, but the Mavericks made the first defensive statement when cornerback Justin Otto positioned himself perfectly to intercept a pass on the ThunderWolves' first snap.
"We knew they liked to come out and take a shot early," Otto said.
But the Mavericks couldn't capitalize, punting away that possession and the next two.
Finally, a breakthrough. With Nick Pieruccini at quarterback, Minnesota State drove to the CSU-Pueblo 11. Haffar lined up for the 27-yarder. But Josh Bredl broke through, and the blocked kick changed the game's direction.
Stephan Dickens fielded the bounding ball. He had open field before him, but Haffar had the angle and made a touchdown-saving swipe tackle.
Still, the ThunderWolves turned the moment into momentum. Cameron McDondle, who surpassed 2,000 rushing yards for the season Saturday, went 34 yards on a direct snap. The drive ended with Greg O'Donnell's 27-yard field goal.
"That was a big momentum change," Wristen said. "The first part of the game both teams are going back and forth trading punches. But we kind of got going right there."
CSU-Pueblo's touchdown came on the next possession. This time, ThunderWolves wide receiver Paul Browning slipped behind Otto for an 18-yard touchdown reception.
"I didn't make the play," Otto said.
But the Mavericks made plenty throughout a 14-1 season. It was the year Hoffner returned to the sideline, fully exonerated on child pornography charges.
In August 2012, Hoffner was removed from the team early in fall camp when a technician repairing his university-issued phone found family videos of his naked children. A county judge dismissed the case, but school officials ultimately decided to fire Hoffner the following spring.
He took a job at Minot State in North Dakota, but the faculty union at Minnesota State filed a grievance on his behalf, and an arbitrator ruled for an immediate reinstatement.
The players weren't happy to have Hoffner back. After all, the team went 24-2 under Aaron Keen, who had been elevated from offensive coordinator. Two weeks after Hoffner's return, Keen took a job at Eastern Michigan and the Mavericks went on to one of their best seasons.
It felt just short of perfection on Saturday, and the team vowed to return.
"I don't think I played by best game, and I think a lot of people can say that," Otto said. "If that doesn't motivate you, I don't know what will. You'll see Minnesota State again next year."
