The Wayne State offense could only muster 20 yards in total offense against undefeated and 12th-ranked Augustana’s defense on a cold, snowy day in Wayne, America.
Fortunately, the Wildcat defense was there to pick up the slack, particularly senior defensive back Tanner Cooper, who came up big with a pick-six to highlight an outstanding Wayne State defensive effort to help the Wildcats hold on for a 14-12 upset win over their conference foes Saturday during the 34th annual Egg Bowl at Cunningham Field.
Augustana got on the board first with a safety after a bad snap on a punt went into the end zone to break the ice on the scoreboard.
Cooper’s first pick of the day on the next possession was returned 84 yards for a score, but was called back due to an illegal block, bringing the ball back to Augustana’s 47-yard line.
Wayne State capitalized on the first Viking turnover, as Nick Bohn hit Kendrick Watkins-Hogue with a 31-yar touchdown pass to make it 7-2 early in the second quarter.
Later in the period, Augie drove to the Wayne State 41-yard line when Cooper stepped in front of another pass and took it to the house from 64 yards out, allowing Wayne State to take a 14-2 halftime advantage.
Both teams defenses took control on the snowy field after that. Wayne State was held to minus-12 yards on offense in the third period, yet the Wayne State defense was equally as stingy in limiting the visitors to 38 yards.
Augustana scored their only touchdown with 10:18 to go on a short run by Jarod Epperson, then added a field goal on their next drive to make it 14-12 with 3:55 to go.
Wayne State was able to seal the deal with another interception, this one by Joe Morrison with :47 to go, and give Wayne State the Egg Bowl victory, handing Augustana (8-1, 7-1 NSIC) its first loss of the season.
Wayne State won the game despite recording just 20 yards in total offense. The Wildcats had 43 yards passing and a minus-20 yards on the ground. Bohn was 5-of-13 passing for 43 yards.
Junior linebackers Dexter Larsen and Tyler Leclair had 15 and 13 tackles, respectively, to lead the Wildcat defense. Freshman defensive lineman Luke Lambert added six stops with one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Cooper was named the Wildcats’ Egg Bowl MVP after his stellar performance. His two interceptions were returned for a total of 111 yards and he also had a pass breakup in the game. Epperson was named Augustana’s Egg Bowl MVP after running for 92 yards on 24 carries.
The Wildcats (6-3, 5-3 NSIC) will be on the road the final two weeks of the season. They head to Sioux Falls on Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest, then close the following Saturday, Nov. 11, with a 12 p.m. tilt at Concordia-St. Paul.
