MARSHALL, MN – Saturday evening NSIC South Division football took over Wayne State College’s week eight game.
From Mattke Field at the Schwan Region Event Center in Marshall, Minnesota, WSC visited Southwest Minnesota State.
The Wildcats built a 31-3 first half lead thanks to 304 yards of total offense compared to 81 from SMSU. WSC ended up holding on for the 38-16 victory to win their third straight on the road improving to 6-2 (3-1 South). The Mustangs dropped their third straight falling to 2-6 (1-3 NSIC).
The Wildcats opened the game when redshirt freshman Nick Bohn connected with senior wideout Taurean Grady on a 53-yard score. Junior placekicker Alex Powders knocked through the extra-point to put the ‘Cats up 7-0 with 12:41 left in the first quarter.
Following an interception from Bohn, SMSU knocked through a field goal of 23 yards from freshman Carter Dicker to trail 7-3 with 7:18 left in the opening quarter.
After the Wildcats blocked a punt, Bohn found senior running back Anthony Watkins on a 24-yard pitch and catch. Powders punched through the PAT to lead 14-3 with 5:12 remaining in the first quarter.
WSC then went to the ground game on second quarter scorers. Watkins ran in from a yard five seconds into the second (Powders PAT), Bohn added a seven-yard score with 10:29 to play in the half (PAT good) as Powders knocked through a season-long 42-yard FG with 31 seconds until half.
At the half, Wayne State College led 31-3.
Moving into the second half, the possessions were limited.
SMSU used an 11-yard touchdown from junior Jesse Sherwood with 12:05 left in the third quarter. Following the extra-point, WSC still led 31-10.
Watkins then scored on a nine-yard run on the ensuing drive for WSC with 7:39 left in the third to lead 38-10.
Sophomore Duce Reynolds also opened the fourth quarter with a 16-yard run (extra-point was no good) for the Mustangs which led to the final of 38-16.
Bohn finished 11-21 for 197 yards with two passing touchdowns and two interceptions while being sacked four times. Bohn ran 15 times for 47 net yards and a score while Watkins carried the ball 12 times for 56 yards and two scores.
Grady recorded five receptions for 123 yards and a score as Watkins also caught two passes for 31 yards and a score.
Defensively, junior linebacker Nick Joynt had 12 tackles (three solo) and an interception as freshman linebacker Alex Kowalczyk added 10 tackles (five solo) and two tackles for loss. Senior lineman Mike Monette finished with seven tackles (two solo) as junior lineman Ryan Parker tallied six tackles (three solo), a sack and tackle for loss.
Senior defensive back Kevin Ransom recorded his fourth pick of the season.
WSC was limited to 86 yards in the second half as the Mustangs finished the game with 257 total yards.
1st 2nd Half 3rd 4th Final:
14 17 31 7 0 38 – WSC
3 0 3 7 6 16 – SMSU
Wayne State College will next visit Upper Iowa at noon on Saturday, October 30. Pregame coverage on the Wildcat Sports Network is set for 11:30 a.m.
