Wayne, Neb. — Wayne State senior quarterback Nick Bohn threw three touchdown passes while the Wildcats added a kickoff return for touchdown by Jadon Johnson and an interception return for a score by senior linebacker Dexter Larsen as WSC posted a 44-17 Northern Sun Conference football victory at MSU Moorhead Thursday evening at Scheels Field in Moorhead, Minnesota. The ‘Cats are now 2-0 and 1-0 in the NSIC while this game was the season opener for the Dragons.
The Wildcats started the game slowly, punting on their first three possessions. But the offense came to life late in the first quarter following a turnover setup by the WSC defense.
Marzion Cosby intercepted a pass by MSU Moorhead’s Jack Strand giving WSC the ball at their own 29. The ‘Cats marched down the field covering 71 yards on seven plays scored first on a five-yard pass from Nick Bohn to Latravious Boyd putting the ‘Cats in front 7-0 at the 2:47 mark of the first quarter.
Following a MSUM punt, Wayne State drove 72 yards on 11 plays with the scoring drive capped by another Bohn to Boyd connection – this time from 26 yards out – giving WSC a 14-0 lead with 9:12 to go in the half.
The Dragons got on the scoreboard with a 32-yard field goal making the score 14-3, but senior Jadon Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown making the score 21-3 Wayne State.
MSU Moorhead answered with a 15-yard TD pass from Strand to Flynn Ridgeway cutting the WSC lead to 21-10, but Wayne State closed the first half with a 41-yard field goal by sophomore Boston Hensley to give the Wildcats a 24-10 lead at intermission.
Wayne State opened the second half with a Boston Hensley field goal of 35 yards to take a 27-10 lead with 9:26 to go third quarter.
The Dragons cut into Wayne State’s lead on the next drive as Strand connected with Brady Perryman on a 58-yard scoring pass, reducing the Wildcat advantage to 27-17.
But that’s as close as MSU Moorhead would get. Another Hensley field goal, a career-long 44-yarder, with 14:50 remaining in the game, gave the ‘Cats a 30-17 lead.
On MSU Moorhead’s first play of the ensuing drive, Wildcat senior linebacker Dexter Larsen intercepted Strand and sprinted 20 yards to the end zone for a touchdown extending Wayne State’s lead to 37-17.
An insurance score later in the quarter by the Wildcats closed the scoring as Bohn teamed up with Kendrick Watkins-Hogue on a 54-yard scoring play with 12:48 remaining to make the final score 44-17.
Wayne State gained 402 yards compared to 324 for MSU Moorhead. The ‘Cats had 135 on the ground and 267 passing while the Dragons had just 22 yards rushing and 302 passing.
Bohn completed 20 of 34 passes for 267 yards with three TD passes. Watkins-Hogue was his top target with 10 receptions for 142 yards and one score. Jadon Johnson added four catches for 64 yards while Latravious Boyd had three grabs for 36 yards and two TD’s.
Junior Dawson Forgy was the top Wildcat rusher with 64 yards on 15 carries followed by Boyd with 49 yards on 12 attempts.
The Wildcat defense was led by Larsen, who had a team-high five tackles to go with his 20-yard interception return for a touchdown and one pass breakup. Sophomore defensive end James Frank had two sacks and three solo tackles.
The Wildcats will be at home next weekend, hosting #13 Minnesota State on Saturday evening (September 14) at 6 p.m. in the annual Family Day Game at Bob Cunningham Field.
