Ryan Ludlow scrambled into the end zone in overtime for the win over Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. The final score was 48-45, improving the ‘Cats record to 5-3 and 3-1 in the NSIC South Division.

It was another good day for the Wildcat offense as quarterback Zach Osborn threw for 336 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Junior Brian Kent had a career-high 115 yards receiving on eight catches and one touchdown, followed by senior Cole McDaniel with eight receptions and 112 yards with one score. McDaniel has had at least seven catches in seven of eight games this season and recorded his fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season.

SMSU scored on the opening drive of the game on a two-yard run for an early 7-0 lead.

WSC answered on their first series of the game, scoring in just four plays and 47 yards to knot the score up at 7-7 following a nine-yard touchdown pass from Zach Osborn to Cole McDaniel with 9:17 remaining in the first quarter.

The Wildcats scored on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter to grab a 21-7 lead.

However, after punting on three straight possessions, the SMSU offense caught fire at the end of the fi rst half and scored twice to even the score at 21-21 at halftime.

SMSU opened the scoring in the third quarter on a four yard pass from Kern to Nate Carr for a 28-21 Mustang lead with 7:36 to play in the third quarter.

Wayne State responded on the ensuing series as the ‘Cats marched 74 yards on eight plays capped by a 20-yard pass from Osborn to Brian Kent, but WSC missed the extra point as SMSU held a 28-27 lead with 4:52 to go in the third quarter.

The Wildcat defense came up big on the next series as junior outside linebacker Zach Bierman intercepted a Charlie Kern pass that was punched out by Nick Monzu, and raced 53 yards for a score to give WSC the lead at 35-28 following a two point pass to Nick Roth.

SMSU tied the score on the next drive thanks to a Kern to Huot 13-yard scoring strike with 9:10 to play.

Late in the fourth quarter, Wayne State drove down the field and scored on a two-yard run by senior fullback Chad Koch to put the Wildcats in front 42-35 with 1:41 remaining. But SMSU drove 68 yards on 11 plays and scored on the final play of regulation, a 10-yard pass from Kern to Jordan Cross, to even the score at 42-42 and force overtime.

MSU had the ball first in the extra session and WSC held the Mustangs to a 29-yard field goal for a 45-42 SMSU lead.

WSC needed just two plays in overtime to score as Osborn connected with Kent on a 15-yard pass to put the ball at the SMSU 10, then Ludlow found the end zone on a 10-yard jaunt to end the game as Wayne State outlasted the Mustangs 48-45.

SMSU held a 521-461 advantage in total offense over Wayne State, making this the first time this season that WSC has been outgained in a game. The Wildcats had 125 yards rushing and 336 passing while SMSU gained 233 on the ground and 306 through the air.

Defensively, junior linebacker Nathan Scott and senior linebacker Nick Monzu each were credited with 15 tackles for the Wildcats.

Junior linebacker Nate Kroupa tallied 13 tackles followed by Jon Davis with 12 and J’Ron Erby 10. Erby also had three pass breakups. Senior linebacker Zach Bierman had a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown

The Wildcats head to Upper Iowa this weekend for a 6 p.m. contest.