Wildcats Advance to MCAC Championship

The NDSCS Wildcats hosted MSCTC-Fergus Falls in the semi-finals of the MCAC playoffs on Sunday at Frank Vertin Field.  The Wildcats earned a bye last weekend, so they were well rested and prepared for this game.

The game started off with M-State getting the ball.  After a quick first down, Malique Jackson made house call on a pick-6 on the opening drive to get the game started for the Wildcats.  This was just the beginning for a big day for Jackson.  The next big play came from Michael Douglas Jr who had a huge run on the Wildcats' first offensive possesion all the way for a touchdown.  M-State was able to answer back with a big run of their own to get the game at 14-7.  Jackson was able to get another interception in the first quarter, and Daevion Farrow recovered a fumble for the Wildcats.

The second quarter saw M-State strike first with a field goal to cut the lead to 14-10.  QB Ishmael Emmanuel-Holloway hit Trevon Rodriguez for a touchdown.  Samuel Miller had a big day on defense where he had multiple tackles and had an interception nearly returned for a touchdown in the second quarter.  Emmanuel-Holloway would find Rodriguez for the second time in the quarter for another touchdown putting NDSCS up 28-10.  M-State was driving until a pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and Malique Jackson came down with his third interception of the half.  Jackson later had a ball deflect off him which would have given him four interceptions.  The Wildcats entered the locker room with a 28-10 lead.

It was a slow start to the second half before M-State called a fake punt deep in their own territory picking up a massive gain and first down to keep their drive going.  The Spartans would end up finishing off the drive with a touchdown run to get the score to 28-17.  NDSCS would answer with a touchdown run by Makhi Jackson.  Ray Ruschel found himself making some key stops for the Wildcats by recording two quick solo tackles as well.  M-State was able to put in another field goal to get the game to 34-20.  Faustin Tuyikeze recorded NDSCS' fifth interception of the day when he picked off the M-State quarterback.  The Wildcats would win the game and advance to the MCAC Championship by a score of 34-20.

The Wildcats will play Mesabi Range for the MCAC Championship at 1PM in St. Cloud, MN next Sunday November, 3.  The game will take place on the campus of St. Cloud State University.