NDSCS hosted M State in a MCAC semifinal on Sunday afternoon in Wahpeton and the Wildcats jumped out to a 28-10 halftime lead on the way to a 34-20 victory over the Spartans. The Spartans hurt themselves with 7 turnovers (5 interceptions, 2 fumbles) and a pair of sacks. They were also penalized 14 times for 115 yards.
Malique Jackson started the game with a pick-six when he returned an interception 43 yards. Alex Henry added the extra-point kick for a 7-0 lead for NDSCS. Michael Douglas, Jr then ran 79 yards for the second TD and Henry’s PAT kick put the lead at 14-0. Rashad Madden broke loose for a 65 yard touchdown run for the Spartans first score of the day and a Jaydon Manteufel kick cut the Wildcats lead in half at 14-7.
Manteufel booted a 24 yard field goal early in the second quarter to pull within four points at 14-10. A pair of touchdown passes by Ishmael Emmanuel-Holloway increased the NDSCS lead to 28-10 at the half. His first one at 8:01 of the quarter was a 4 yard toss to Trevon Redriguez and the second one covered 70 yards to Rodriguez. Henry was successful on both PAT kicks.
M State scored on a one yard run by Madden early in the third quarter and Manteufel’s kick cut the lead to 28-17. With 6:24 left in the third Makhi Jackson’s 4 yard TD run made it 34-17.
Manteufel’s second field goal of the game, a 27 yard boot, came with 7:35 left in the fourth quarter and the 34-20 score stood up for the remainder of the game.
Malique Jackson had 3 interceptions for the Wildcats, while Sammy Miller and Faustin Tuyikeze also had picks. Daevian Farrow and Kedrick Phillip recovered fumbles and sacks were recorded by Miller and Victor Espinosa.
Offensive leaders for NDSCS were Michael Douglas, Jr (14 carries, 126 yards, TD), Emmanuel-Holloway (10 carries,69 yards, 2 completions, 8 attempts, 74 yards, 2 TD’s) and Rodriguez (2 receptions, 74 yards, 2 TD’s).
The Spartans were led by Madden (14 carries, 132 yards, 2 TD’s), Cole Cashman (19 completions, 36 attempts, 217 yards) and Jaden Leonard (7 receptions, 163 yards). Defensively, Jaden Reed had an interception and Brendin Fallon recovered a fumble.