WSC blanks Minot State for second win of season

WAYNE, Neb. – For the second time in as many meetings, the Wayne State football team shut out Minot State. Squaring off for the first time since the Wildcats blanked the Beavers in 2018, WSC scored a 48-0 win over Minot State on Saturday.

WSC is now 2-1 on the season while Minot State drops to 0-3. 

The Wildcats opened the scoring on the first series after forcing a Minot State punt as Alex Powders booted a 20-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead at the 12:23 mark of the opening period.

WSC increased the lead to 10-0 late in the first quarter when reserve quarterback Nick Bohn found the end zone from one yard out to cap a seven-play, 51 yard drive to close scoring in the first quarter.

Wayne State took a 17-0 advantage at the 9:24 mark of the second quarter when sophomore quarterback Tavian Willis connected with Mason Lee on a 35-yard scoring play. Later in the second quarter, the ‘Cats built a 20-0 lead following another Powders field goal, this one from 37 yards out with 1:02 left before halftime.

Wayne State closed the first half scoring when senior Kevin Ransom intercepted a Minot State pass and raced 34 yards for a touchdown giving the Wildcats a 27-0 lead at halftime.

The lone score of the third quarter came on a 31-yard scoring pass from Nick Bohn to Trystn Ducker with 4:00 to go, putting the Wildcats in front 34-0.

Senior running back Deshawn Massey added two fourth quarter scores on runs of seven and 15 yards to make the final score 48-0.

Wayne State outgained Minot State in the contest 474-252.  The ‘Cats were balanced offensively with 244 yards on the ground and 230 passing while the Beavers gained 205 on the ground and were held to just 47 yards passing.

Massey paced a balanced Wildcat run attack with 96 yards on 10 rushes and two scores followed by Bohn with 60 yards on 12 attempts and one score.

Throwing the ball, Tavian Willis completed 11 of 19 passes for 137 yards and one TD while Bohn was 5 of 7 for 93 yards and another TD.

Senior Taurean Grady led WSC in receiving with five receptions for 112 yards while Ducker added five catches for 54 yards and one TD.

Ransom recorded a team-high five tackles with two interceptions for 33 yards that included a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown.  Freshman linebacker Dexter Larsen and junior linebacker Ijaaz Rashid each added five tackles with Rashid credited with a forced fumble.  Dimetri King had an interception while Grayson Garey was credited with a fumble recovery.

The Wildcats will be on the road next Saturday traveling to #13 Minnesota Duluth for a 6:05 p.m. night contest.