Truman State Bulldogs picked off a pass and ran it in for a touchdown in double overtime to edge Nebraska-Omaha 26-20 on Saturday afternoon at Stokes Stadium. It was the second-straight loss for the Mavericks.
Turnovers hurt the Mavericks in the first half. On their first possession of the game, Truman State picked off a tipped pass. On their ensuing drive, quarterback Matt Ticich found Albert Coker down the left sideline. He shrugged off a tackle and took it 45 yards for the touchdown.
The Mavs put together a long drive and got inside the Truman 10-yard line, but Zach Miller fumbled the ball on a quarterback keeper. Truman’s Derek Rodriguez scooped it up and ran 93 yards for the score that made it 14-0.
UNO again put together a long drive but stalled deep in Truman territory. Greg Zuerlein then nailed a 33-yard field goal to make it 14-3 at the half.
The Mavericks’ defense was stout in the third quarter, forcing two three-and-outs by the Bulldogs. On their second possession of the quarter, Miller took it in from three yards out to make it 14-10.
UNO took its first lead of the day early in the fourth quarter. Brian McNeill capped a 77-yard drive with a two-yard plunge to put the Mavericks up 17-14.
But the Bulldogs moved deep into Maverick territory and with less than two seconds left, kicker Mickey Masucci hit a 42-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.
The two teams traded field goals in overtime. Masucci nailed his from a season-high 49 yards.
The Mavericks had possession first in the second overtime, but a sack and penalty forced them backwards. On second down, Miller’s throw was picked off by Demetrius Lavant who ran it back 57 yards for the deciding score.
UNO is now 3-2 on the year and 2-2 in MIAA play.