For the first time this season, Wayne State College football had a home afternoon game which also marked the 100th Homecoming in Wayne America.
From Bob Cunningham Field on the campus of Wayne State College, over 1,800 fans were in attendance to cheer on the Wildcats against Minot State University (ND).
A back-and-forth game came down to the time of possession battle during a low scoring contest. WSC held onto the 27-21 victory to improve to 4-1 (3-1 NSIC) as the Beavers fell to 4-2 (3-2 NSIC).
After Minot State University used a 16 play, 75-yard drive resulting in an opening touchdown with 8:31 off the clock, Wayne State College tied the game at 7-7 thanks to true freshman running back Akeem Knox with a five-yard score as 2:31 remained in the first quarter.
Moving into the second quarter, true freshman Brennan Hayes scored from six-yards out for WSC to lead 14-7 with 9:35 remaining in the opening half.
Wayne State College lead 14-7 at the break.
Neither team scored in the third quarter as teams then traded two touchdowns each in the fourth.
Senior quarterback Nick Bohn rushed in on a one-yard sneak early in the fourth (14:13) to put the Wildcats up 21-7. Minot State then answered to pull back within one score at 21-14 (6:55 remaining).
The Wildcats scored once more this time a second rushing touchdown from Hayes on a 44-yard run (3:36 remaining) but true freshman Brady McGill (3-4 on PATs) missed the final extra point making the score 27-14.
Minot State University marched down the field thanks to a halfback pass (first passing touchdown of the season) with 1:54 left in the game.
The Beavers failed to recover their onside attempt as final favored WSC winning 27-21.
Bohn went 10-17 for 95 yards and ran the ball 15 times for 102 yards with one score. Knox led the rushing attack with 113 yards on 20 carries with one score as Hayes added six attempts for 68 yards and two scores.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Kendrick Watkins-Hogue hauled in two catches for 42 yards as senior wide out Jadon Johnson added 26 yards on two catches.
Senior linebacker Dexter Larson recorded 11 tackles (three solo) followed by sophomore defensive lineman Carter Sitzman with nine tackles (three solo) with a half sack and half tackle for loss.
Sophomore defensive lineman Luke Lambert (eight tackles/two solo) tallied a tackle for loss as junior defensive lineman Trent Rasmussen (four tackles) also had a half sack and half tackle for loss; sophomore linebacker Clyde Hinton (four tackles/two solo) tacked on two tackles for loss and sophomore defensive back Mitchel Anderson (two solo tackles) had one tackle for loss.
Wayne State College ran 60 plays for 380 yards (285 rushing/95 passing) as Minot State University finished with 299 yards on 59 plays (253 rushing/46 passing).
WSC was 4-10 on third down and 4-4 on fourth down as the Beavers went 3-10 on third down and 3-4 on fourth down. Minot State held a slight advantage in time of possession, 30:57 to 29:03.
The Wayne State College football tam will next travel to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m.
