Wayne State football started off its season with a loss to Northern State University. But with a number of returning starters and experience, the Wildcats are on the rise and looking to improve on last season’s record.

“We played really hard,” said Defensive Coordinator Scott McLaughlin. “We just didn’t capitalize on a lot of opportunities. We had them down early, when we got three points. When we felt it should have been 14-0, meaning putting their offense more in a panic-mode, and that didn’t happen so they were just able to keep running what they were running.”

Northern State beat WSC 23-16. A couple of key plays turned the game over. WSC had Northern State backed up in third and long, but Northern was able to get a first down and score a touchdown, which later would become the game-winning touchdown.

WSC is looking for improvement this season coming off a shaky 3-8 season last fall. Many of the returning seniors and juniors have had multiple starts under their belt. And, as many of the close losses last year were by only a touchdown or so, the Wildcats were in the game but just a couple of bounces away.

Coaches say fans can expect a disciplined, hard-working and very sound team overall this year.

“We will do what we can to not beat ourselves … and you know that should be an expectation when you watch WSC and execute to the best of our ability and leave it all out on the field,” McLaughlin said.

With the next home game on Saturday against the University of Mary, the ’Cats are looking to even up their record to 1-1.