Wayne State College was selected fourth in the 2024 NSIC Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Tuesday morning by the league office in Burnsville, Minnesota. Senior quarterback Nick Bohn (bow-un) and senior linebacker Dexter Larsen were selected as Wildcat Players to Watch in the NSIC this season.
The Wildcats collected 116 points in voting conducted by league coaches. WSC is coming off an 8-3 season in 2023, placing fifth in the NSIC with a 7-3 league mark.
Minnesota Duluth was tabbed this year’s preseason favorite in the NSIC receiving eight first-place votes and 134 points. Augustana followed in second at 124 points and three first-place ballots. Minnesota State was third with 120 points and one first-place vote. Wayne State was fourth at 116 points with Bemidji State rounding out the top five at 112 points and the remaining first-place vote.
Wayne State’s Offensive Player to Watch is senior quarterback Nick Bohn. Last season, the Bennington graduate earned All-NSIC honors for a third straight season (Second Team) completing 178 of 293 passes (60.8%) for 2,677 yards and 22 TD’s. He added another 12 TD’s rushing (third in NSIC) and ranked second in the league in total offense yards per game (259.7) while ranking third in passing yards per game (243.3) and pass efficiency rating (156.8).
The Wildcats’ Defensive Player to Watch is senior linebacker Dexter Larsen. The Blair graduate collected All-NSIC First Team and D2CCA All-Super Region Four First Team honors last season after leading the Wildcat defense with 91 tackles. Larsen was tied for second in the NSIC last season in tackles per game (8.3), tied for third in forced fumbles (2) and tied for fourth with two fumble recoveries.
Wayne State opens the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29 at 6 p.m. hosting Missouri S&T in a non-conference game at Bob Cunningham Field in Wayne.
2024 Preseason NSIC Football Coaches Poll
1. Minnesota Duluth (8) 134 pts.
2. Augustana (3) 124 pts.
3. Minnesota State (1) 120 pts.
4. Wayne State 116 pts.
5. Bemidji State (1) 112 pts.
6. MSU Moorhead 88 pts.
7. Winona State 75 pts.
8. Sioux Falls 62 pts.
9. Northern State 57 pts.
10. Concordia-St. Paul 40 pts.
11. Southwest Minnesota State 34 pts.
12. Minot State 31 pts.
13. University of Mary 21 pts.
first place votes in ( )
