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The Vermilion Ironhawks trailed but were still in the game when halftime came last Saturday.
But the last two quarters belonged to host M State-Fergus Falls, which scored 28 second-half points on the way to a 62-16 community college football rout.
Vermilion, which hosts North Dakota State College of Science in today’s Parents’ Weekend matchup in Ely, fell to 1-2 on the season.
The Ironhawks made the long road trip west in search of their second win, but couldn’t match the host Spartans’ firepower.
A big defensive play got Vermilion to within four points in the second quarter, when Kendall Aguirre scooped up a fumble and returned it 60 yards for a TD.
Quarterback Tawann Tutwhiler’s conversion run made it 20-16, but Fergus Falls turned things around with a big defensive play of its own.
Jaden Leonard ran an interception back 50 yards for a second-quarter touchdown, and Leonard added another score before the half - this time on offense.
Cole Cashman hooked up with Leonard on a 37-yard play and Fergus Falls led 34-16 at the break.
The second half was all-Spartans, as an interception return for a touchdown added to the hosts’ lead.
Fergus Falls added three more touchdowns on its way to its first win in four contests.
Vermilion’s only other touchdown came in the opening half, on a 31-yard pass from Davaunte Lane to Henry Jacobs.
