ST. CLOUD -- Ridgewater College couldn't find the goal line Saturday at Husky Stadium.
Itasca College, which struggled to move the ball too, left St. Cloud with a 7-0 victory at the MCAC Kickoff Classic.
Itasca managed 223 positive yards to 185 for the Willmar college.
The game's only score was a 10-yard dash by the Vikings' Marcel Pierre in the third quarter. Josh Stougard added the conversiuon kick.
Ridgewater coach Rob Baumgarn had hoped to run the ball more this season, but the Warriors finished with just 69 net yards rushing.
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Second-year starting quarterback Jackson Illies completed 15-of-36 attempts for 116 yards, but he was picked up three times.
"This was not the way we wanted to start the season," said Baumgarn. "It was a hard-fought game and we played a lot of freshmen; I hope that took care of the first-game jitters.''
Ridgewater was mostly three-and-out in its first- half series. The Warriors moved the ball better in the second half behind good pass protection by the offensive line, but the offense couoldn't sustain any drives.
The defense did a good job keeping the game close.
"Defensively, we played well," said Baumgarn. "But we need to get off the ball better and wrap up at the point of contact. There were no clutch plays when a first down was needed."
Tackle leaders were Jon Cross with 14, Brennen Hagert with 12 and Rob Diane with nine, Jon Carter with eight and Daryl Thomas with seven.
Davonaty Stevens carried the ball 20 times for 75 yards.
Pierre finished the 90-degree day with 123 yards in 31 carries for Itasca.
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Ridgewater travels to Virginia to play Mesabi Range on Saturday. The home opener is Sept. 11 against Vermilion.
Itasca 7, Ridgewater 0
Itasca 0 0 7 0 -- 7
Ridgewater 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Itasca - Marcel Pierre 10 run (Josh Stougard kick)
Itasca
Team statistics
First downs: 11 ... Rushing: 45-178 ... Passing (com-att-yds-int.): 4-26-45-2 ... Fumbles lost: 1 ... Penalties: 5-45
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Individual statistics
Rushing: Marcel Pierre 31-123, Josh Stougard 8-58, Jamie Walker 2-5 ... Passing: Stougard 4-26-45-2 ... Receiving: Rejean Carlson 2-23, Ben Grossell 1-9, Dan Anderson 1-13 ... Punting: not available
Ridgewater
Team statistics
First downs: 12 ... Rushing: 27-69 ... Passing (com-att-yds-int.): 15-43-116-3 ... Fumbles lost: 0 ... Penalties: 4-35
Individual statistics
Rushing: Isiah Athey 2-4, Davonaty Stevens 20-75, Zak Neubarth 3-6, Jackson Illies 1-(-11), Cameron Halvorson 1-(-5) ... Passing: Illies 15-36-116-3, Colton Otto 0-7-0-0 ... Receiving: Anton Bedeaux 1-9, Jake Bothun 6-62, Keante Johnson 5-17, Eric Ressley 2-21, Marcus Thames 1-7 ... Punting: Daryl Thomas 1-29.8 ... Interceptions: Brandon Krono, Jon Carter ... Fumble recoveries: Hagert ... Tackles (solo-assist): Daryl Thomas 2-5, Ivory Slaughter 1-2, Jon Cross 6-8, Brandon Krona 2-3, Jon Carter 5-3, Andy Raun 0-4, Harry Cador 3-2, Jamie Fields 1-2, Anders Kullhem 2-3, Brennen Hagert 6-6, Kris Belfry 2-4, Rob Diane 8-1, Nate Wensauer 2-2 ... QB sacks: none
