WAYNE, Neb. -- On a harsh, chilly afternoon in Wayne, Nebraska, the Dragon football team closed out their season with a 10-7 loss to the Wildcats.

Wayne State opened up the scoring in the first quarter with an Anthony Watkins six-yard yard run to put them in front 7-0 near the end of the first quarter. While the Wildcats were in good field position for most of their first quarter drives, the Dragons were able to stand tall. After forcing a fumble on their first possession, the Dragons only surrendered 60 total yards in the first quarter. Wayne State was just one of five on third down in the quarter. On the flip side, MSUM was stifled by poor field position and a stout Wildcat defense. 
 
It was MSUM's defense that continued to provide momentum for the Dragons in the second quarter. Wayne State was able to hit a 23-yard field goal early in the quarter to give them a 10-point lead. However, the Dragons were superb on third down against the Wildcats, forcing them to go zero for four in the second frame. Overall, the Wildcats were one of nine on third down opportunities in the first half. MSUM was unable to answer offensively, trailing 10-0 at halftime. The Dragons had 55 total yards in the first half to Wayne State's 102.
 
Neither team's defense was willing to budge in the third quarter. Outside of a few spurts here and there, each offense struggled through tough weather conditions throughout the quarter and game. A Cody Sorenson interception of Nick Bohn turned the momentum towards the Dragons as the quarter drew to a close. MSUM was able to drive from Wayne State's 27-yard line and score their first points of the game. Luke Imdieke had 20 rushing yards on the drive including a four-yard touchdown run. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Wildcats led 10-7.
 
On Wayne State's ensuing drive, the Wildcats were able to drive to the Dragon 11-yard line, but were stopped on fourth down by the MSUM defense. The Dragons were able to drive to the Wayne State 20-yard line before attempting a field goal to tie. The 37-yarder from Ryan Riedel missed, keeping the Wildcats in front 10-7. MSUM stopped Wayne State on their next drive to give the Dragons one more shot to tie or win. The Dragons were unable to get anything offensively and turned the ball over on downs. Wayne State would finalize the 10-7 score and move to 9-2 on the season.
 
Top Dragons
 
Jake Bettcher: 12 total tackles (six solo)
Jared Kallenbach: 11 total tackles (six solo), one tackle for loss
Josiah Behm: 10 total tackles
Luke Imdieke: 14 rush, 58 yards and one rushing touchdown
Gage Florence: Five receptions, 56 yards
 
Number Of The Day
 
With five receptions in the loss, Gage Florence finishes the season with 100 receptions, which is officially the new MSUM school record for receptions in a season.
 
The Dragons finish 4-7 in 2022 regular season.