BISMARCK, ND – Fighting from behind from the first possession of the game until taking the lead in the fourth quarter, the University of Mary football team looked poised to capture a win in the Marauders season opener. Instead a late touchdown by visiting Wayne State College with less than two minutes remaining in the game lifted the Wildcats past the Marauders 33-28.
 
In a contest filled with big performances, the Marauders outgained the Wildcats 451-391 in total yards. UMary, which led NCAA Division II in passing last season, threw for 300 yards and ran for 151. A balanced Wildcats attack ran for 196 yards and passed for 195.
 
All-American Danny Kittner had a strong start to his senior season, catching eight passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. He also completed a pass to fellow All-American Logan Nelson for 29 yards to set up the Marauders first score of the game.
 
Running behind a punishing offensive line of Drake Lalim, Conner Paul, Sam Harris, Mika Fuamatu and Melvin Hudson, Dave Small Jr. piled up 73 yards and a score. Redshirt freshman Gabe Levy added 68 yards on eight carries, running for two scores in his first collegiate game.
 
Nelson completed 18-of-32 passes for 271 yards and a score.
 
The Wildcats opened a 14-0 lead in the first 7:53 of play before the Marauders could find their footing. Backed up on their own 9 yard line and in danger of falling further behind, Nelson converted a 3^rd and 8 with an 11 yard run to keep the drive alive. Three plays later Kittner completed a pass to Nelson for a 29 yard game. On the next play Nelson threw deep to Kittner for a 39 yard scoring pass to cut the deficit in half.
 
UMary pulled even in the 3^rdquarter. Keyed by another big reception by Kittner, this time for 23 yards, the Marauders drove 65 yards on six plays with Levy scoring from 9 yards out.
 
Wayne State quickly regained its lead, scoring on its next possession.
 
The Marauders immediately responded. Sparked by a Riley Potthast grab for 27 yards, Levy burst 25 yards up the middle of the field for his second touchdown to even the game 21-21.
 
And once again the Wildcats had an answer, scoring on a 65 yard pass from Nick Bohn to Jadon Johnson. The extra point kick was blocked by Jordan Duson but Wayne State finished the third with a 27-21 lead.
 
A methodical drive by the Marauders midway through the fourth quarter gave UMary its first lead of the game. Mixing in passes to three different players, Small crashed into the end zone from three yards out on his fourth carry of the drive with 7:01 in the game. Kevin Powell's PAT was successful and the Marauders led 28-27.
 
After neither team could move the ball on their next possession, Wayne State took over at its own 45 yard line with 3:08 into the game. Needing just four plays, Anthony Watkins ran for a 10 yard touchdown for the Wildcats with 1:46 left in the game and ending the Marauders hopes for a win in front of a tremendous home crowd.
 
Devin Beck led the Marauders with 2.0 tackles for loss and Duson added 1.5. Ty'Rhae Gibson and Johnny Tillman both had seven tackles for UMary.
 
Watkins ran for 73 yards and two scores for Wayne State. Johnson had three catches for 78 yards and a TD. Bohn ran for 51 yards and a TD and passed for 196 yards and a score.
 
Next up for the Marauders is a visit to Winona State University on Saturday, September 10.
 
#marauders#