Mayville, N.D. - Comet Football opened their home schedule with a conference game against Waldorf today and for the first time ever MSU Homecoming and Farmers Bowl met on the same weekend. With the seats full at Jerome Berg Field and in a high-scoring affair, the Comets came out on the short end 56-34.

"Farmers bowl and homecoming together made for a great atmosphere. The Mayville community showed up and continued to support this football team," said head coach Rocky Larson.

Waldorf got on the scoreboard first with a long touchdown run on their first drive. Later in the first quarter Mayville State started to roll, and a Tim Salmon to Kelby Azure touchdown connection knotted the score at 7.

"I was excited to see Kelby Azure get his first career touchdown for Mayville State," said Larson about the NDSU transfer.

After forcing the Warriors to punt, the Comets put together another scoring drive. On a fourth and two to open the second quarter, Salmon kept the ball and scampered 20 yards to the end zone. A Braeden Lacombe PAT gave the Comets the lead at 14-7.

Mayville State was unable to take advantage of a Waldorf fumble and punted back to the Warriors. The Warriors marched down the field and scored on a one-yard touchdown run, tying the score again at 14-14.

The Comets responded by putting together another good drive culminating in Lacombe hitting a 21-yard field goal to retake the lead 17-14. Once again, Waldorf's offense came up big as they scored from 16 yards out to regain the lead 21-17.

With two minutes left in the half, the Warriors had a short field and only needed three plays to make the score 28-17. The Comets had enough time to get down the field to attempt a 48-yard field goal, but the kick just missed.

Mayville State opened the second half with the ball and ground out another long drive. Salmon found Javeion Davison for a 32 yard touchdown and climbed within four points at 28-24. Larson said, "Offensively it was good to see us get on track. I am proud of how our QB responded."

The Warriors immediately responded with a long touchdown run to increase the lead back to 11 at 35-24. The Comets took advantage of a short punt by Waldorf, and a Lacombe 31 yarder brought Mayville State back to a one score game at 35-27.

Waldorf's running game continued to impress, with another long touchdown run later in the third quarter bumped the lead up to 42-27. "Defensively, we had moments of greatness, but we need to improve on our tackling," said Larson.

The first play of the fourth quarter saw Salmon and Davison connecting again, this time from nine yards out on a brilliant one-handed catch by Davison to reduce the deficit back to eight at 42-34. However, the Warriors responded once again, this time through the air on a 20 yard touchdown pass to make the score 49-34.

Mayville State needed some quick scores but interceptions on two consecutive drives stymied those plans. The Warriors then sealed the game with their third long touchdown run of the game, and the 56-34 score held to the end.

There were many moments that shifted the game but there was one that stuck out to Larson more than others. "The play that changed the game was the roughing of the punter. That is on me for not having our kids ready for that," said Larson after the loss.

Daniel Nevil had the Comet running game humming and finished with his first career 100 yard rushing game with 109 yards. Salmon passed for 184 yards and three touchdowns, with Davison catching 119 of those yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side, Max Cussen led the team with 9 tackles, Bailey Mullenberg recorded a sack, and Ezekiel Knott recovered a fumble.

The loss drops the Comets record to 0-4, 0-2 in conference play. Mayville State heads down to Valley City State next Saturday to take on the Vikings, kickoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

For full schedule information visit: https://msucomets.com/sports/football/schedule