WAYNE, Neb. – MSU Moorhead racked up 351 yards through the air, but came up one score shy in their quest to defeat reigning NSIC co-champion Wayne State on opening night of the 2023 football season. The Wildcats defeated the Dragons 31-23.

Dragon quarterback Jack Strand completed 42 passes in the loss, three shy of his own MSUM and NSIC record while Gage Florence reeled in 15 of those completions in the contest. 
 
The Dragons wasted no time in moving the ball after taking the opening kickoff as the MSUM offense came out guns ablazing. Jack Strand would nickel and dime six short passes for 60 yards, concluding in a 19-yard pitch and catch score with Brady Perryman. The sophomore wideout dashed past the Wildcat secondary to cruise to the endzone and give the Dragons an early 7-0 advantage. The drive took just over two minutes as MSUM worked no huddle for most of the sequence for a total of 75 yards.
 
Wayne State would showcase its veteran presence by immediately answering the Dragon drive. The Wildcats worked down the field as part of a 10-play, 68-yard touchdown drive. Quarterback Nick Bohn would throw for 58 yards and rush in a four-yard score to knot the game at 7 apiece. Wayne State would hold MSUM to a three and out on the ensuing drive and would once again piece together a lengthy drive. The Wildcats would go 71 yards in 14 plays, shaving nearly seven minutes off the clock. It culminated in another rushing touchdown to put the Wildcats up 14-0 early in the second frame. 
 
MSU Moorhead would respond with another methodical drive as points were needed. The Dragons would go on to put together a 19-play drive that ate up over eight minutes of game time. By drive's end, Jack Strand had already racked up 19 completions on 23 attempts. Jacob Schroeder would connect on a 28-yard field goal to pull the Dragons closer midway through the second quarter as Wayne State led 14-10.
 
Wayne State would extend a drive to 11 plays for 75 yards that would burn up most of the remaining time in the half. The Wildcats hit a field goal from 23 yards out to give them a 17-10 lead. That score would remain as halftime commenced. 
 
Running back Luke Imdieke reeled in five receptions for the Dragons while Perryman and Gage Florence each had four catches. Through one half, Jack Strand had thrown for 136 yards with 20 completions. Josiah Behm and Jared Kallenbach were all over the field in the first 30 minutes with Behm collecting six tackles and Kallenbach five. Jack Bungarden added in five tackles and a sack in the first half. 
 
Wayne State would strike again to open the second half, scoring on a one-yard run from Bohn. The drive would take a little over three minutes but would stretch 67 yards and would push the reigning NSIC co-champions in front 24-10.
 
MSUM would offer forth an answer they desperately needed as Strand would lead a five-play, 73-yard drive that took just under 90 seconds. Brady Perryman caught a lob from Strand for 41 yards and his second receiving touchdown of the evening. With just over 10 minutes left in the third, MSUM cut the lead in half, 24-17. 
 
While MSUM would get the ball back with a chance to tie, it was the Wildcat defense who stopped the Dragons on fourth and one. The turnover on downs put the ball on MSUM's 49-yard line. The Dragon defense would respond as Justice Noel would stuff a fourth and one rush attempt to give MSUM the ball right back. Wayne State would force a Dragon punt on the ensuing drive. 
 
To open the fourth quarter, Wayne State would go for it on fourth and 15 after getting into no-man's land with inability to punt or kick a field goal. The Wildcats connected on a 36-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to put them back in front by 14 points. MSUM would drive the ball back down the field, getting it to the Wayne State 11-yard line. However, the Wildcats intercepted Jack Strand in the endzone to remain in front 31-17.
 
MSUM was able to put together one final scoring drive which finished in a Jack Strand to Gage Florence touchdown pass. With just over a minute remaining, Wayne State led 31-23 as Strand reached his 42^nd completion of the day on the touchdown throw. The Bloomer, Wis., native set the MSUM and NSIC record for completions in a game with 45 a season ago against Mary.
 
The Dragons would stop the Wildcats on the following drive for one final chance to tie the game with 49 seconds remaining. McKale Pierson would block the Wayne State punt to gain some favorable field position on the Dragon 49-yard line. However, MSUM would fail to convert on fourth and 10 as a deep Strand pass was just beyond the reach of Ryan Bieberdorf near the endzone with 17 seconds remaining. Wayne State would hang on to the game 31-23.
 
Top Dragons

• Jack Strand: 42-58, 351 yards, three touchdowns
• Gage Florence: 15 receptions, 90 yards, one touchdown
• Brady Perryman: Eight receptions, 120 yards, two touchdowns
• Luke Imdieke: 10 receptions, 81 yards
• Josiah Behm: 10 tackles (2 solo, 8 assisted)
• Mitchell Jezierski: 10 tackles (10 assisted)
• Justice Noel: 10 tackles (1 solo, 9 assisted)
• Jared Kallenbach: Nine tackles (4 solo, 5 assisted)
• Jack Bungarden: Nine tackles (3 solo, 6 assisted, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack)

Up Next
 
MSUM (0-1, 0-1 NSIC) will play inside the friendly confines of Alex Nemzek Stadium for the first time in 2023 next week in a battle with Minot State. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on Saturday, September 9.