MSU vs. Wagner Game Preview

Following their Sept. 8 loss to South Dakota State University, the MSU Bobcat Football Team now sits at 1-1 this season. Despite their disappointing fall to the Jackrabbits last week, the Cats have a chance to reclaim a winning record this weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 15, they will face off against the unranked Wagner College Seahawks at 1 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium in what is also MSU’s Military Appreciation Game.  

Wagner is part of the Northeast Conference (NEC) within the Football Championship Series (FCS) of NCAA DI Athletics, and they are located in New York City, NY. Like MSU, Wagner is currently grappling with their own open quarterback position. They have already had three different quarterbacks receive playing time in their two games this season. However, what Wagner lacks in quarterback ability they make up for with strong offensive players. Senior captain runningback Ryan Fulse received a preseason All-NEC pick this year, making him the Seahawks’ biggest offensive threat. In his past two games, Fulse has racked up 318 yards and three touchdowns. This season, Wagner has averaged 281 rushing yards per game, which is 11th in the FCS. However, so far in the 2017-18 season,they have a zero percent completion record for third down conversions.

At this point in the season, Wagner is also 1-1 following a 40-23 win over Bowie State at home on Aug. 30 and a 62-10 loss to Syracuse on Sept. 8. Like the Bobcats, they have yet to face any conference opponents, so they remain unranked this season both nationally and within their conference. In the 2017-18 football season, the Seahawks finished fifth in the NEC with a record of 4-9, and a conference record of 2-4. Their last playoff appearance was in the 2012-13 season.

Bobcat fans are likely to see redshirt freshman Tucker Rovig starting in the quarterback position again on Saturday, despite MSU’s poor performance last week. The current state of sophomore Troy Anderson’s left hand is unknown following an injury two weeks ago. However, given Choate’s current state and the debate surrounding the quarterback position so far this season, there is much left unknown. One thing Cats fans can be sure of, however, is a continued strong defensive showing and another confident kicking game. Key players like junior kicker Tristan Bailey, senior defensive linemen Tyrone Fa’anono, junior defensive end Bryce Sterk and junior safety Brayden Konkol have consistently made stellar appearances this season, and Cats fans can expect to see more outstanding performances from them again on Saturday.

A win for the Bobcats this weekend will improve their record to 2-1 and bring positive momentum going into their first conference game at Portland State on Sept. 22. MSU is currently a 20.5 point favorite for Saturday. Both the Cats and the Seahawks will be hungry to redeem themselves after their losses last week, and fans can expect an action-filled game and an excited hometown crowd to cheer the Cats on to another victory.