The final whistle has blown on a season that felt like a rollercoaster for everyone following the Mavericks. If you’re looking for the most recent mankato state university football score, the story ends at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Michigan. On December 6, 2025, Minnesota State saw its gritty playoff run come to a halt with a 52-29 loss against No. 1 ranked Ferris State in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.
It wasn’t for lack of heart. Honestly, the game started with a spark that had fans thinking an upset was brewing. Mitchell Thompson went airborne for a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter, giving the Mavericks an early 7-3 lead. But Ferris State is a different beast. They put up 21 points in the second quarter alone, and while Amaun Williams gave the Mavs a massive jolt with a 96-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third, it just wasn't enough to bridge the gap.
Breaking Down the Last Mankato State University Football Score
When you look at that 52-29 final, it's easy to think it was a blowout. It kind of was, but it also wasn't. The Mavericks were actually within three points midway through the third quarter. That 96-yard pick-six by Williams made it 24-21, and for a second, the momentum was all in Mankato's favor.
Then the wheels sort of fell off. Ferris State’s quarterback, Carson Gulker, and their primary signal-caller Chase Carter, started slicing through the defense. Carter ended up with two rushing touchdowns, and the Bulldogs' ground game racked up 307 yards. That’s a tough pill to swallow when you're trying to keep a playoff dream alive.
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2025 Season at a Glance
The Mavericks finished the year with a 10-4 record. That sounds solid, right? It is, especially considering they had to navigate a brutal NSIC schedule. They went 7-3 in conference play, which included some wild swings.
They dropped a heartbreaker to MSU Moorhead (31-23) right before the playoffs started, which had people worried. But then they went on the road and absolutely silenced the doubters. They handled No. 12 Findlay 37-14 and then squeezed past No. 8 Indianapolis 35-27. Seeing the mankato state university football score from those road wins gave the community a lot of hope before the Ferris State wall.
Key Players Who Defined the Scoreboard
You can't talk about the scores this year without mentioning Sam Backer. The kid was a workhorse. In the win against Indianapolis, he rushed for 116 yards and two scores, including a 28-yarder late in the fourth that basically sealed the deal.
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Mitchell Thompson, the sophomore quarterback, also showed he’s got the "it" factor. He finished the season with 10 rushing touchdowns. He's not just a pocket passer; he’s a guy who will put his shoulder down and dive for the pylon when the game is on the line.
- Mitchell Thompson: 10 rushing TDs on the season.
- Sam Backer: Consistent 100+ yard performances in the postseason.
- Amaun Williams: Provided the defensive highlight of the year with the 96-yard return.
- Connor Fournier: Reliable from the tee, including a massive 51-yard field goal earlier in the season against Winona State.
Why These Scores Matter for Next Year
The 2025 season showed that Minnesota State can compete with anyone in the country. Losing to the #1 team in the quarterfinals is nothing to hang your head about. The team ended the season ranked #8 in the final national poll, which is a huge feather in their cap.
What most people get wrong about the mankato state university football score trends is thinking the defense was the weak link. While they gave up 52 to Ferris State, they held Southwest Minnesota State to just 7 points and Sioux Falls to 12. The variance usually came down to turnover margins and time of possession. In the Ferris State loss, the Bulldogs held the ball for nearly 35 minutes. You can't win if your offense is watching from the sidelines.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're already looking forward to the 2026 season, keep an eye on the development of the underclassmen. Many of the key contributors this year, like Thompson and Backer, are coming back with a lot of playoff experience under their belts.
- Check the official Maverick Athletics site for the 2026 spring game schedule usually released in February.
- Follow the recruiting trail; the Mavericks have been active in the portal to beef up the defensive line.
- Review the 2025 stats to see where the offensive production might shift as seniors like Grant Guyette move on.
The story of the season isn't just one score. It's the fact that this team found a way to win two road playoff games as underdogs before finally meeting their match. That's the kind of grit that builds a championship program.