ABERDEEN, S.D. — Two interception returns for touchdowns sparked a comeback by Northern State as they outlasted Wayne State 28-26 in Northern Sun Conference action here Saturday evening.
Wayne State dominated the first half from the opening kickoff as Dawson Forgy took the opening kickoff 68 yards to set up the Wildcats in great field position that they converted into a Boston Hensley 21-yard field goal to make it 3-0.
The Wayne State defense set up the first touchdown of the day as Joe Morrison deflected a pass that was intercepted by Tanner Cooper, who returned the ball 46 yards to the Wolves’ 3-yard line. Two plays later, Nick Bohn rolled in from two yards out to make it 9-0 just 4 1/2 minutes into the game.
Wayne State’s defense came through again when Brayden Chaney stopped a Northern drive with a pickoff in the end zone, and the Wildcats went 80 yards in 12 plays to make it 16-0 on a 12-yard pass from Bohn to Trevor Marshall with 9:13 to go in the first half.
Wayne State added a 31-yard field goal by Hensley and looked to be in command with a 19-0 halftime lead, but Northern State was not going away quietly.
The Wolves defense got the rally started when Jake Adams picked off a pass and ran 15 yards for a score with 11:27 to to in the third, and then Northern made it 19-12 on a short touchdown run by Stanley Haskins Jr.
The Wolves completed the 19-point rally on their next series with a nine-yard run by Colton Hackel to tie things at 19-19 going to the fourth quarter, and that momentum carried into the fourth quarter when Luke Gunderson picked off a Bohn pass and raced 45 yards for a score to make it 25-19 in favor of the hosts with 14:08 to go.
Wayne Stae righted the ship on their next drive. Bohn hit Ashten Schmaderer on a 58-yard connection to set up a four-yard pass from Bohn to Corry Hollinger with 10:34 to gol. Hensley’s PAT kick put the lead back on Wayne State’s side at 26-25.
With 6:06 to go, Northern State started their final drive on their own four-yard line and traveled 93 yards on 14 plays to set up a 21-yard field goal that gave the Wolves the comeback victory.
Forgy rushed for 69 yards on 11 carries to lead WSC in rushing, followed by 46 yards for Latravious Boyd on 11 rushes. Bohn completed 20-of-30 passes for 206 yards with two TD’s and four interceptions. Schmaderer had three catches for 83 yards. Marshall added five grabs for 43 yards and one score while Kendrick Watkins-Hogue added five receptions for 38 yards.
Junior linebacker Alex Schall had 11 tackles to lead Wayne State. Cooper and Chaney each had interceptions for the ‘Cats.
The Wildcats will be at home next Saturday, hosting unbeaten and 17th-ranked Augustana in a 12 p.m. contest at Bob Cunningham Field.
