SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Augustana scored with nine seconds left to come away with a 31-27 win over Wayne State in action here Saturday.
The battle for first place in the South Division started when the Vikings turned a Wayne State fumble into a 30-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead two minutes into the game.
The Wildcats answered with a field goal of their own on the next drive, with Alex Powders connecting from 30 yards out to make it 3-3 with 6:03 to go in the first.
After the Vikings scored on their next drive, Powders made his way into the school history books with a 52-yard field goal late in the first half, bettering the old mark of 50 yards, recorded in 1984 and 2008.
Augustana scored again to make it 17-6 in the final minute of the first half, but Powders hit again from 38 yards as time ran out to make it 17-9 at intermission.
Augustana scored again to open the second half, but Wayne State struck back with a 72-yard run by Anthony Watkins to make it 24-16 early in the third.
Powders hit his fourth field goal of the game from 41 yards out to start the fourth quarter, and the Wildcats’ comeback was completed midway through the fourth when Nick Bohn score on a one-yard run and hit Watkins for a two-point conversion to make it 27-24 with 7:13 to go.
Wayne State’s defense put the Wildcats in position to ice the game after Marzion Cosby picked off a pass with 2:10 left, but the offense went three-and-out and the Vikings took over at their own 20 with 1:49 to go, driving down for the winning score .
Bohn went 23-of-36 for 230 passing yards and one interception in the loss.Watkins led the Wildcats with 77 rushing yards and one touchdown followed by Bohn with 66 yards and a score. Jadon Johnson was the leading receiver for the ‘Cats with 128 yards on 12 catches. Trevor Marshall was second with 50 yards on four catches.
Defensively, Alex Kowalczyk led the ‘Cats in tackles with nine, two of which were tackles for a loss. He was followed by Jaylan Scott and Dexter Larsen with eight each. Kowalczyk and Scott would each also record a sack.
The Wildcats (5-2, 1-2 NSIC South) will be at home next Saturday hosting Southwest Minnesota State at 12 p.m.
