Wildcats pick up big Border Battle victory

The NDSCS Wildcats picked up a huge win at home against their rivals MSCTC from down Highway 210 in Fergus Falls on Saturday afternoon.  The Wildcats got the scoring started in the game on a 1 yard rushing touchdown by Sam Burkel.  NDSCS would add to their lead in the 2nd quarter when Jacob Mattick hit Trevion Carothers for 57 yards to put NDSCS up 14-0.  M State got on the board in the 2nd quarter on a 10 yard touchdown run by Rashad Madden.  Mattick then added to his stats by hitting Ishmael Emmanuel-Holloway for 34 yards to put the 'Cats up 20-7.  M State tacked on a field goal before the half to make it a 20-10 halftime score.  NDSCS RB/kicker Sam Burkel started off the scoring in the second half with a 29 yard field goal early in the 3rd quarter.  M State was then able to add a score from 1 yard out by Evan Schippers making the score 23-17.  Right at the end of the quarter, NDSCS QB Jacob Mattick hit Trevion Carothers for a 53 yard touchdown (the duo's second 50+ yard score on the day) to put the Wildcats up 30-17 heading into the 4th.  The NDSCS defense held strong throughout the final quarter with the only scoring play coming off a pick-6 for M State.  The Wildcats came away with a 30-23 victory.  NDSCS improves to an overall record of 3-1 on the season.

The Wildcats were led through the air by QB Jacob Mattick (12-16/225 YDS/3TD).  The O-line did a tremendous job helping the Wildcats running game to 220 overall rushing yards to go along with 225 passing yards.  RBs Makhi Jackson (63 YDS), Sam Burkel (50 YDS), Tyvon Cade (43 YDS), and Michael Douglas JR. (42 YDS) led the Wildcats in rushing.  Trevion Carothers was huge on offense with his explosive playmaking taking two of his three receptions to the house (3REC/113YDS/2TD) while Ishmael Emmanuel-Holloway was also solid on the day (5REC/74YDS/1TD).  

The defense had big days by Samuel Miller (11TKLS/1FF) and Mason Pagel (7TKLS/2SACKS/1FF).  The defense had a total of 4 sacks on the day, and were able to turn the Spartans over twice.  

The Wildcats travel to Illinois on Saturday to take on the 4-0 College of Dupage Chaparrals.  The game kicks off at 1PM at Bob MacDougall Field.