BISMARCK, ND – Saturday night football marked the start of an 11-week regular season schedule for Wayne State College.
Over 540 miles to the north, NSIC South Division WSC visited North Division University of Mary over the weekend.
From MDU Resources Community Bowl in Bismarck, North Dakota, WSC started off week number one with a 33-28 road victory. University of Mary fell to 0-1.
Senior linebacker Jaylan Scott opened the game for Wayne State with a 21-yard pick six. Senior place kicker Alex Powders knocked through the extra-point with 14:13 to play in the first quarter to lead 7-0.
The offense then got on the board thanks to a six-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Anthony Watkins. Powders made the PAT with 7:53 to left in the opening quarter to go up 14-0.
UMary answered with 4:50 to play in the first quarter when senior quarterback Logan Nelson connected with senior wide receiver Danny Kittner from 36-yards. Following the PAT, WSC held a 14-7 lead.
Neither team would score in the second quarter as Wayne State led 14-7 at the break.
Most of the scoring came in the third quarter as redshirt freshman running back Gabe Levy for the Marauders scored on back-to-back rushing plays from nine-yards and 25-yards with 10:52 to play in the third quarter and again with 5:13.
In-between, sophomore WSC quarterback Nick Bohn ran in from 11-yards out with 8:06 to play in the quarter. Bohn also found sophomore wide receiver Jadon Johnson on a 65-yard passing score with 3:59 to play in the third quarter. Powders had the PAT blocked up the middle as WSC held a 27-21 lead entering the fourth.
In the fourth, senior running back Dave Small Jr. scored from three-yards with 7:01 to play in the game. An extra-point bounced in off the right upright to give UMary the 28-27 lead.
Wayne State put together the go-ahead drive as Watkins ran in from 10-yards to go up 33-28 (failed two-point conversion) wiht 1:46 remaining.
Final favored Wayne State College over University of Mary, 33-28.
Bohn finished 10-17 for 196 yards with one touchdown along with 11 rushes for 51 net yards and a touchdown. Johnson hauled in three receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown as senior wide receiver Mason Lee had two catches for 64 yards. Watkins led the ground attack with 17 carries for 73 yards and two scores.
Sophomore linebacker Alex Kowalczyk (five solo), senior defensive back J’Von France (seven solo) and junior safety Tanner Cooper (six solo) all had eight total tackles.
Along with the pick-six by Scott, redshirt freshman lineman Trent Rasmussen recovered a fumble.
Wildcat sacks came from junior lineman Caleb Brouse with 1.5, sophomore linemen Luke Sims and Jaxon Johnson each with one as Kowalczyk had a 0.5 sack.
University of Mary outgained WSC, 451-391. The Marauders won the passing game, 300-196 but the Wildcats answered with a 198-151 rushing attack.
WSC at UMary:
1 2 H 3 4 F
14 0 14 13 6 33 – WSC
7 0 7 14 7 28 – UMary
The Wayne State College football team will next compete in their home-opener on Saturday, September 10 when Northern State comes to town for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Saturday NSIC score:
Winona State 24, Minot State 10
