Saturday, August 30, 2008
Wayne State 28 Nebraska-Kearney 12
Wayne State College snapped a 10-game losing streak to Nebraska-Kearney in college football with a 28-12 win Saturday afternoon over the Lopers at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field in Kearney. The win was the first over a UNK football team since 1996 when WSC topped the Lopers in Wayne 43-14 and it also marks the first season-opening win for Wayne State since 1996 when the 'Cats won at Emporia State 50-38. It also marks the first win in Kearney for a WSC football team since 1993 when the 'Cats beat UNK 28-9.
The Wildcats used a punishing ground attack in the second half to overcome a slow start with two first half turnovers, wearing down the Lopers before a crowd of 4,275 fans in Kearney. WSC fumbled the ball on their first play from scrimmage to start the game and the host Lopers recovered at the WSC 24-yard line. UNK’s Geoff Carnahan booted a 24-yard field goal to give the Lopers an early 3-0 lead with 11:47 left in the first quarter. The Lopers added another field goal on their second possession later in the quarter as Carnahan connected on a 53-yard field goal to put UNK in front 6-0 with 9:16 to go in the first quarter.
The score remained that way until midway through the second quarter when the Wildcats scored on an unusual play. With WSC at their own 46-yard line, Eric Meyer rushed for two yards and fumbled the ball, but WSC junior quarterback Silas Fluellen picked up the loose ball and scampered 50 yards for a touchdown to put Wayne State in front 7-6 with 6:32 remaining in the first half.
The second half saw WSC score on their first two possessions, one following a UNK turnover, and the Wildcats pulled away for the 28-12 win. After forcing UNK to punt on their first possession in the second half, WSC moved the ball 59 yards on just four plays in 1:52 to take a 14-6 lead as Fluellen rambled 47 yards for a touchdown. The Wildcats then forced a UNK turnover as Cole Fischer recovered a fumble at the WSC 36-yard line. WSC then marched 64 yards on 10 plays, capping the scoring drive on a Travis Rhone 13-yard run to put the Wildcats ahead 21-6 with 2:34 left in the third quarter.
UNK would not go away as the Lopers came back early in the fourth quarter as redshirt freshman quarterback Bobby Adamson scored on a three-yard run to cap a six-play, 41 yard drive to cut the Wildcat lead to 21-12 with 13:24 to play in the game. However, WSC responded on the ensuing drive and drove 80 yards on 11 plays over 4:59 to extend the lead as Rhone found the end zone on a 15-yard run with 8:25 left to make the score 28-12.
“I thought all fall that we had a good football team and in the second half we showed it,” remarked WSC head coach Dan McLaughlin on his post-game radio interview. “Our defense played great the whole game and I thought our front four (Tyler Krueger, Darius Davis, Chris Barry and Troy Pribnow) were magnificent and controlled the game. To hold them (UNK) to just 212 yards is a great effort by our defense. We sputtered early on offense with some turnovers and we’ve got to get that cleaned up.”
Wayne State finished the game with 467 yards of total offense while holding UNK to just 212 yards. The Wildcats rushed for 302 yards while adding another 165 through the air while UNK gained 80 yards rushing and another 132 passing.
WSC quarterback Silas Fluellen accounted for 295 yards of total offense in the win, completing 15 of 23 passes for 165 yards while rushing for 130 yards on just six attempts and two scores. Senior running back Travis Rhone also surpassed the 100 yard mark, finishing with 101 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns while junior running back Eric Meyer added 83 yards rushing on 18 attempts. Junior wide receiver Logan Masters was the top target for the Wildcats with seven receptions for 99 yards, marking the 24th straight game that Masters has had at least two receptions.
Defensively, the Wildcats were led by junior middle linebacker Ryan Reeves with 11 tackles and an interception. Senior linebacker Luke Hoffman also added 11 stops and a pass breakup while Darius Davis and Cole Fischer were each credited with a fumble recovery.
Wayne State will be at home next weekend as the Wildcats host MSU Moorhead in the ‘Cats Northern Sun Conference opener with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. at Bob Cunningham Field in Wayne. “Last year, we overlooked them and they took it to us (42-18) so we have some motivation for that game,” added McLaughlin.