Via Wayne State College Athletic Communications,

WAYNE - Freshman running back Akeem Knox and senior quarterback Nick Bohn each rushed for over 100 yards leading Wayne State College in a 27-21 Northern Sun Conference football victory Saturday afternoon over Minot State at Bob Cunningham Field in Wayne.  The Wildcats are now 4-1 and 3-1 in the NSIC while Minot State drops to 4-2 and 3-2 in league play.


The visiting Beavers took the opening kickoff and marched down the field 75 yards on 16 plays with their triple-option offense to take a 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter. 

Wayne State responded with a score on their opening drive, covering 75 yards on just 10 plays with freshman running back Akeem Knox finding the end zone on a five-yard run to tie the score at 7-7 with 2:31 to play in the first quarter.

Following a Minot State punt, the Wildcats scored again as WSC saw freshman running back Brennan Hayes score on a six-yard run putting the 'Cats in front 14-7 with 9:35 to play in the second quarter to close out first half scoring.

After a scoreless third quarter, Wayne State used a one-yard run by Bohn to take a 21-7 lead with 14:13 remaining in the contest.

The Beavers responded with a scoring drive to cut into the Wildcat lead as quarterback Carson Chrisman hit paydirt on a one-yard run making the score 21-14.

Wayne State just over three minutes later as Hayes broke loose on a 44-yard run, putting the 'Cats ahead 27-14 after a missed PAT kick.

Minot State used some trickery to score on their next drive as on fourth and one from the WSC 23 the Beavers went with a halfback pass as Aaron Wood found a wide open Jonathan Noriega on a 23-yard scoring play to make the score 27-21 with 1:54 to play.   

Wayne State recovered an onside kick and got a first down to go into victory formation as the Wildcats closed with a 27-21 win.

The Wildcats held a 380-299 advantage in total offense over Minot State.  WSC ran for 285 yards while passing for 95.  Knox finished with 113 yards on 20 carries and one score while Bohn finished with 102 yards on 15 attempts and one score.  Hayes had six rushes for 68 yards and two TD's.

Sophomore Kendrick-Watkins Hogue had two catches for 42 yards with Jadon Johnson adding two grabs for 26 yards.

Senior linebacker Dexter Larson had a game-high 11 tackles for Wayne State.  Defensive end Carter Sitzman added nine tackles with sophomore defensive lineman Luke Lambert notching eight tackles.

Wayne State is on the road next weekend when the Wildcats visit Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minnesota at 5 p.m.