Although Missouri S&T more than doubled the number of plays Wayne State College ran, the Wildcats used each of their possessions to their advantage during their week zero home opener.
From Bob Cunningham Field, more than 1,700 fans were in attendance as WSC (NSIC) hosted a member from the Great Lakes Valley Conference Thursday night.
The Wildcats built at-most a 39-point lead before winning 49-17 over the Miners to start their season at 1-0. Missouri S&T fell to 0-1.
Senior Nick Bohn first found redshirt sophomore Kendrick Watkins-Hogue for a 21-yard passing touchdown with 2:48 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, sophomore running back Latravious Boyd ran away from everyone on a 95-yard score with 3:38 remaining in the second quarter. WSC led 14-0 late in the first half.
After missing a field goal earlier in the quarter, Missouri S&T’s sophomore place kicker Layne Ryals knocked through a 46-yard field goal with seven seconds left in the half.
Score at the break favored Wayne State College leading 14-3.
The Wildcats then pulled away in the third quarter with back-to-back scoring plays when Bohn found freshman Curtis Witte on a 29-yard strike (11:41 left) followed by an 11-yard run from Boyd (9:08 remaining). Wildcat sophomore defensive back Brayden Chaney then recorded a 58-yard pick-six (2:49 left) to put WSC up 35-3 entering the fourth.
Scoring continued early in the fourth as Bohn connected with senior wide out Jadon Johnson from 11 yards out (12:00) to put Wayne State College out front, 42-3.
Missouri S&T then found pay dirt following a 19-yard rushing touchdown from sophomore quarterback Tyler Gioia (7:26 remaining) trailing 42-10.
Redshirt freshman Bennett Dannenbring then was giving an opportunity on a long throw and connected with redshirt freshman Keaten Bonderson on an 80-yard strike (6:25). Sophomore placekicker, Boston Hensley converted all seven extra points.
The Miners scored once more when Gioia found sophomore tight end Justis Braden from 18 yards out.
Final favored Wayne State College winning 49-17.
Bohn finished 7-14 for 113 yards with three passing touchdowns and one interception while also rushing three times for 31 yards. Boyd carried the ball seven times (20.1 average) for 141 yards and two scores followed by junior Dawson Forgy with 12 carries for 80 yards.
Senior wide receiver Trevor Marshall hauled in two catches for 44 yards.
Top defenders were junior linebacker Alex Kowalczyk and senior linebacker Alex Schall (one tackle for loss) both with eight total tackles and five solo.
Sacks were recorded by defensive linemen being senior Drake Peed, redshirt freshman Jackson Bos, junior Trent Rasmussen and junior Myles Dais.
Along with a pick six by Chaney, senior defensive end Jaxon Johnson added an interception.
Wayne State College finished with 448 total yards on 43 plays (193 passing/255 rushing). WSC was 6 of 9 on third downs.
Missouri S&T recorded 432 totals yards on 91 plays (234 passing/198 rushing). The Miners were 6 of 19 on third down and 3 of 4 on fourth down.
Gioia led the Miners going 21-43 for 234 yards and one passing touchdown with two interceptions along with 15 rushes for 101 net yards and one score. Sophomore tailback AJ Harris added 72 yards on 23 carries.
Braden hauled in five catches for 44 yards and one score as senior CJ Wiggins caught three passes for 68 yards.
Senior linebacker Carson Prenger recorded seven total tackles (four solo) and had one tackle for loss.
The Wayne State College football team will next open NSIC play at MSU Moorhead on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. The Dragons had week 0 off. Last year, WSC won 31-23 in Wayne over MSU Moorhead.
