A rivalry was re-newed on August 28 for two in-state foes of Wayne State College and Nebraska-Kearney.
From Bob Cunningham Field on the campus of Wayne State College, the visiting Lopers won the turnover battle and the final score of 28-21.
WSC drops to 0-1 as UNK extends their series lead of 60-19-6 with the most recent game before 2025 being played in 2011.
After falling behind two defensive plays into the game, Wayne State College sophomore quarterback Bennett Dannenbring hooked up with junior tight end Dane Petersen on their first of two touchdowns. The seven-yard reception put the 'Cats on the board late in the first quarter tied at 7-7.
WSC would again ie the game late in the second quarter at 14-14 on a Dannenbring to Petersen 24-yard yard touchdown.
Petersen finished with six receptions for 94 yards (long of 27).
Neither team scored in the third as a late fumble recovery in the fourth by senior defensive lineman Kaden Sutton led to a one-yard rushing touchdown for redshirt junior Dawson Forgy (13 carries for 31 yards/one catch for three yards).
After giving up the go-ahead touchdown with 1:07 remaining in the game, Wayne State College saw their come-back drive fall short with the Lopers recording their third interception of the game.
Dannenbring finished 19-33 to 10 different receivers for 225 yards with two touchdowns but had three interceptions and was sacked twice. He also ran the ball eight times for nine net yards with a long of 14 yards.
Sophomore tailback Akeem Knox added nine carries for 11 yards along with one catch for two yards.
Wayne native and sophomore Alex Phelps finished with three catches for 51 yards including a 31-yard key reception on the final drive.
Defensively sophomore linebacker Jes Krcil posted a team-high 15 tackles (five solo) with a tackle and a half for loss as graduate linebacker Alex Kowalczyk added 11 tackles (five solo) with one tackle for loss and one sack.
Junior defensive lineman Luke Lambert tallied eighth tackles (four solo) with three tackles for loss and a sack and a half; sophomore lineman Jackson Bos (Norfolk High) had the other half sack while junior defensive back Mitchell Andersen recorded an interception.
Andersen was ejected following a review for targeting late in the third quarter on the UNK quarterback who began his slide.
There were 2,101 fans in attendance against UNK as fans will get another chance to check out the Wildcat football team during Family Weekend on Saturday, September 6. WSC will host University of Mary with a 6 p.m. kickoff as fireworks will follow the game.
