Football heads to Wayne’s world

Aaron Young
Staff Writer

Minnesota State football heads into the home stretch of the season this weekend for a showdown with the Wayne State Wildcats. Sitting atop the throne, the Mavericks are enjoying their unbeaten season and hope to continue it with a victory against the Wildcats in Wayne, Nebraska at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Looking at the standings, the Mavericks are #1 in the NSIC at 8-0, having won four games on the road and home. 

Wayne State is at the bottom of the rankings at 2-6 but haven’t won a game at home. This matchup Saturday will be the 11th meeting between the two and Minnesota State has won all of them. Last year, the Mavs beat the Wildcats 48-27. 

This time around the Mavericks look to do the same damage and bully the Wildcats on their own home turf. No matter who wins or loses, they both share a decisive victory against Minot State in back-to-back weeks, meaning the Mavericks beat Minot State two weeks ago and Wayne State last week. 

Since it is the end of the year, conference supremacy is out of the reach for the 2-6 Wildcats. However, they can play spoiler alert to the Mavericks hopes of an undefeated season. 

Minnesota State can prevent that from happening Saturday if they stick to the same formula. Go out and show the conference who is boss. Once in a while, a contender will do their best to knock them off, as Augustana tried. Except the Mavericks did all they could to take home the victory and Saturday will be no different.

Juniors Shane Zylstra and Nate Gunn will be key to the Mavericks’ success on offense on Saturday, an offense that’s averaging 45.0 points per game this season.

The Maverick defense also looks to continue to dominate. The defense has allowed only 18.2 points per game this season, while opposing offenses have also had difficulties rushing the ball against this gruesome defense, averaging only 2.6 yards per carry this season.

The Wildcats look to pull off the upset and send their fans home happy.

This game is just another to support your Minnesota State Mavericks so make sure to make the trip to Wayne, Nebraska and cheer on your Mavs!

Feature photo by Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter.