Wayne State
1-1 Overall
0-0 NSIC South
Head Coach:
Dan McLaughlin

Minnesota Crookston
0-2 Overall
0-0 NSIC North
Head Coach:
Mark Dufner

Date: Sept. 14, 2017
Time: 7 p.m. C.T.
Site: Crookston, Minn.
Stadium: Ed Widseth Field
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,000
Series: Wayne State leads 7-1
Last: Wayne State won 58-16 in 
Wayne, Neb. in 2015

Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM
Leo Blavin (Play by Play)
TV: Midco Sports Network
Channel 622 HD, 27 SD
David Brown (Play by Play)
Greg Enkers (Color)
Video: Stretch Internet
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/football/

The Scoop
The University of Minnesota Crookston returns home Thurs., Sept. 14 to host Wayne State College (Neb.). The game is the "NSIC Thursday Night Game of the Week" on Midco Sports Network. David Brown and Greg Enkers will be on the call for Midco Sports as the Golden Eagles take on Wayne State. 

Previewing the Golden Eagles
Offensively, Minnesota Crookston looks to quarterback Joseph Nava, who can hurt you with both his legs and his arm. He has thrown for 298 yards and three touchdowns in the first two games. His top targets have been Rod Stewart and Adam Connette. Connette, the program's all-time leading receiver, has amassed 136 yards on eight catches with two touchdowns. Stewart has 10 catches for 111 yards. On the ground, Kevin Evans has 18 rushes for 75 yards.

Defensively, Minnesota Crookston will look to improve as they have given up an average of 589 yads of offense. They especially look to improve on the ground where they have given up 370 yards per game. Safety Will Cole leads the team with 22 tackles and an interception. At linebacker, Will Cross leads the unit with 18 tackles, while Ali Alkhatib has 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. On the defensive line, senior Austin Howard has led the team with 17 tackles. On the pass rush look for Ben Branscom, who has 1.5 sacks on the season. 

Previewing the Wildcats
Wayne State comes in with a 1-1 record after a loss to Northern State University the first week and a 48-10 win over University of Mary last weekend. 

The Wildcats have been a pass-first team with 278.5 yards per game through the air. Senior Zach Osborn has thrown for 555 yards and six touchdowns on the season. He has utilized three main targets so far. Layne Sullivan has 124 yards on 10 receptions, Willie Walton has 10 catches for 123 yards, while Sam Wegner has been the big-play guy with five grabs for 172 yards. On the ground, Wayne State looks to Rashad Trimble. Trimble has 165 yards on 22 carries. 

Defensively, Wayne State is allowing 343 yards per game to their opponents. The Wildcats look to linebacker Tyler Thomsen, who has 19 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks. Linebacker DeWayne Scott adds 19 tackles. In the secondary, Odessa Clark, Glenn Harris and Shaqualle Paddy each have interceptions. 

- Connections
Minnesota Crookston co-offensive coordinator Dave Volk was a graduate assistant at Wayne State during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Volk is originally from Battle Creek, Neb., not far from Wayne, Neb. Volk was an All-Big 12 selection at the University of Nebraska in 2001 and went on to play in the NFL with the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys.


#TheOtherRodStewart
This isn't the Rod Stewart made famous for songs like "Maggie May", but he has made quite the impact at Minnesota Crookston. Stewart is coming off 10 receptions for 111 yards against Minnesota State. The junior has moved into the top five for both receptions and receiving yards for a career with 78 catches and 956 yards receiving.


#CurtainCall
U of M Crookston wide receiver Adam Connette has had a great career for the Golden Eagles. Connette has shattered the majority of the receiving records at Minnesota Crookston. The senior from Corona, Calif., has 185 catches for 2,195 yards in his career. He already has the school records for receptions and receiving yards. Connette needs eight touchdowns to surpass Carl Aho's receiving touchdowns record. Connette is coming off five receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown last weekend against Minnesota State.


#WhereThereIsAWillThereIsAWay
Will Cole has had a strong start to his junior season. The safety currently leads the team with 22 tackles. He also has a tackle for loss and one interception. The Compton, Calif. native has been a staple in the defensive backfield during his three seasons. He will look to play a major role in both the pass and run defense for Minnesota Crookston on Thursday. 


#CoopFor7
Minnesota Crookston cornerback made a big play to open up the game against nationally ranked Minnesota State last weekend. Anfernee Cooper returned a fumble caused by Shavez Hawkins, Jr. from 12 yards out to pay dirt to put the Golden Eagles up 6-0. The native of Fort Worth, Texas will look to continue to make his mark on defense and on special teams as the Golden Eagles take on Wayne State Thursday. 

#5StoryLines
1. Can the Golden Eagle defense slow down Zach Osborn and the Wayne State offense?

2. Will Joseph Nava continue to make things happen with his legs?

3. Can the Golden Eagles get the running game going after struggling last week?

4. Will Adam Connette and Rod Stewart have a major impact at wide receiver?

5. Who will make the big plays defensively for Minnesota Crookston?

- Last Time Out
The Wildcats defeated Minnesota Crookston 58-16 to open up the 2015 season. Wayne State quarterback Zach Osborn was 15-of-23 on the day for 259 yards and four touchdowns. The Golden Eagles looked to now Student Assistant Coach Triston Richert for four catches for 86 yards. Adam Connette added three grabs for 41 yards. Wayne State produced 662 yards of offense compared to 218 for the Golden Eagles.

- Thursday Night
This is the second game on Thursday night this season for Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles fell 44-7 to Upper Iowa to open the season. Minnesota Crookston will look to improve their mark on Thursday night games as they face Wayne State for the "NSIC Thursday Night Game of the Week". The Golden Eagles will look to make their mark on regional television as they will air on Midco Sports Network Channel 622 HD and 27 SD.