The No. 3-ranked NDSCS Wildcats (8-1) swarmed M-State Fergus Falls (4-5) in the MCAC football semifinals Sunday at Frank Vertin Field, winning 34-20 to clinch a berth in next week’s title game in St. Cloud.
The Wildcats forced seven Spartan turnovers in the contest, including three first-half interceptions by starting safety Malique Jackson.
Jackson’s first interception was a 40-yard pick-six to open the scoring. NDSCS struck again shortly after on a 79-plus yard touchdown run by Michael Douglas Jr.
Later in the ballgame, NDSCS quarterback Ishmael Emmanuel-Holloway connected with Trevon Rodriquez on a 70-yard pass. Wildcat tailback Makhi Jackson found paydirt from inside the 5 on the team’s final touchdown.
Daevion Farrow and Kendrick Phillip each recovered a fumble, and Victor Espinoza added a sack for the NDSCS defense. Sammy Miller and Faustin Tuyikeze reeled in the unit’s fourth and fifth interceptions of the day.
Ray Ruschel, a 51-year-old U.S. Army Veteran, made four tackles (two for loss) in his best performance as a Wildcat.
NDSCS will face Mesabi Range for the MCAC Championship at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Husky Stadium on the campus of St. Cloud State University.
