ague, Wayne State College football began their first of back-to-back road play.
From Mattke Field at the Schwan Region Event Center in Marshall, Minnesota, NSIC road competition took over Saturday evening for Wayne State College.
Thanks to a four-touchdown second half, the visiting Wildcats pulled away during a 41-7 win. WSC has now won three straight this year improving to 5-1 (4-1 NSIC). Southwest Minnesota State fell to 0-6 (0-5 NSIC). Saturday night also marked the eighth straight win against the Mustangs.
After forcing a three-and-out punt, the Wildcats marched right down the field using an eight-play, 69-yard drive resulting with a 17-yard passing touchdown between senior Nick Bohn and true freshman running back Akeem Knox. There was 9:42 left in the first quarter.
Moving into the second quarter, Bohn ran in from seven yards out to extend the lead to 14-0 with 3:39 remaining in the half following a 10-play, 81-yard drive.
SMSU scored their lone points with nine seconds left in the second quarter from redshirt freshman Kendon Krogman on a two-yard pass to junior Colin Maher. Following the extra-point, Wayne State College remained ahead 14-7 going into the locker room.
The Wildcats then built momentum in the second half.
Third quarter scores came from Bohn to senior wide receiver Jadon Johnson on a four-yard catch (10:22 remaining) followed by a Bohn connection with redshirt sophomore Kendrick Watkins-Hogue from 33-yards (2:40 left).
Wayne State College led 28-7 going into the fourth.
Bohn hooked up with Johnson one more time from 17-yards (12:16 remaining) before redshirt freshman Bennett Dannenbring launched a 50-yard pass to junior wideout Shea Gossett (4:19 left).
Final favored Wayne State College winning 41-7.
Sophomore placekicker Boston Hensley finished 5-6 on extra points.
Bohn went 15-23 for 218 yards and four passing scores while running the ball seven times for 45 net yards and a score (sacked once).
Johnson hauled in seven receptions for 65 yards and two scores; Watkins-Hogue followed with five catches for 93 yards and a score; as junior tight end Trey Miller also tallied one catch for 39 yards.
Knox led the rushing attack with 17 carries for 46 yards.
Defensively, sophomore defensive back Brayden Chaney (four solo), senior linebacker Dexter Larsen (five solo/two sacks/one tackle for loss) and redshirt freshman lineman Jackson Bos (four solo/one sack/one TFL) all recorded five tackles.
Other sacks came from junior lineman Trent Rasmussen (three solo/one TFL) with one, sophomore lineman Carter Sitzman (two solo/two TFLs) with one, redshirt freshman lineman Jes Krcil (two solo/one TFL) with one as senior lineman Jaxon Johnson (two/one solo/0.5 TFL) and junior linebacker Tate Hinrichs (two/0.5 TFL) both had a half sack.
Junior defensive back Marzion Cosby also recovered a fumble.
Wayne State College recorded 66 plays for 408 yards (268 passing/140 rushing) compared to Southwest Minnesota State with 158 total yards on 49 plays (96 passing/62 rushing).
WSC went 8-13 on third down and 0-1 on fourth down with 4-4 red zone scores-chances as SMSU was held to 1-11 on third down (1-1 in red zone scoring).
Wayne State College won the battle of time of possession, 32:58 to 27:02.
