{
  "id": 2902531,
  "title": "Mayville State returns 18 starters after most wins since 2016",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/mayville-state-returns-18-starters-after-most-wins-since-2016",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-24T00:31:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mayville-state-returns-18-starters-003100123.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mayville State University's football team is returning 18 starters this season, including 10 on offense and eight on defense. This is the highest number of returnees since the team's first season in the Frontier Conference in 2020. The Comets finished the 2025 season with a record of 5-6, which is the best win total since Larson's tenure began in 2020, but he acknowledges there were missed opportunities. The run-focused offense averaged 237.45 rushing yards per game and nine players finished with more than 200 rushing yards, all of whom are returning. The starting quarterback, Matt Donovan, was pivotal on the ground and was also a key player in the offense. The defense lost two experienced linebackers in Devon Woods and Anthony Johnson, but the returning starters and underclassmen provide confidence in the unit. Mayville State will open the season with a home game against Briar Cliff on August 29.",
  "summary": "Aug. 23—MAYVILLE — Mayville State reached its highest win total since 2016 last year, but head coach Rocky Larson had a sour taste in his mouth when the season ended. The Comets went 5-6 overall and 3-5 in league play. A 34-32 win over No. 14 Dickinson State was the highlight of Mayville State's first season in the Frontier Conference. Still, Larson couldn't help but think about the missed ...",
  "key_points": [
    "Mayville State returning 18 starters, most since 2020",
    "Comets' run-heavy offense averaged 237.45 yards per game",
    "Defense lost two experienced linebackers, but starters returning"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The high number of returning starters, including key players on both offense and defense, gives Mayville State a strong foundation to build on its best win total since 2016.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}