ROLLA, Mo. -- Missouri S&T Football kicks off its first game of the 2024 season against Wayne State on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Series History

Missouri S&T and Wayne State have a 2-2-1 record head-to-head. Their last game was in the 2023 season, when the Wildcats narrowly edged out the Miners 38-35.  Missouri S&T attempted to come back from a 24-point deficit at halftime, scoring 21 unanswered points but failing to convert an onside kick with 18 seconds left in the game.  

About the Wildcats

Wayne State finished the 2023 season with an 8-3 record and a fifth-place finish in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. In the NSIC preseason poll, the Wildcats were picked to finish fourth.

Against the Miners on Sept. 23 last season, Wildcats quarterback Nick Bohn went 19-for-25 with 378 yards and five touchdowns. Bohn is one of the top returners on the 2024 squad, along with linebacker Dexter Larsen and defensive back Joe Morrison.

About the Miners

The Miners ended the 2023 season with a 4-7 overall record but a 4-3 Great Lakes Valley Conference clip. After losing their first five games in 2023, the Miners won four of their last six games to finish fourth in the GLVC. At the end of the season, Missouri S&T had 19 players win All-Conference awards, the second most in the conference.

Last season versus the Wildcats, Tyler Gioia (Huntington Beach, CA/Edison) threw for 307 passing yards and three touchdowns. Reid Weber (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell) had 111 yards and C.J. Jarmon (Chandler, AZ/Hamilton) caught two touchdowns in the loss.

Missouri S&T is seeking its first non-conference win since a 17-14 overtime win over Drake on Sept. 10, 2022. They are also looking to start the season 1-0 for the first time since 2018. A win would end a two-game skid against Wayne State that dates back to 2006.

Game Information

The livestream for this game can be found here. Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Bob Cunningham Field.

What's Next

Missouri S&T will remain on the road next week when they travel to Delta State on Sept. 7. The home opener is set for Sep. 14 against Lincoln (Calif.) at AllGood-Bailey Stadium at 6 p.m. Tickets for the 2024 season can be found here.

Follow Miners Football on X and Instagram at miners_fb