> Final Stats

MARSHALL, Minn. - Ryan Ludlow scored on a 10-yard touchdown run in overtime to lift Wayne State to a 48-45 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday night at the Schwan Regional Event Center.

Mike Wenk booted a 29-yard field goal on SMSU's first possession of overtime to take a 45-42 lead, but WSC answered back just two plays later to win the game. Zach Osborn completed a 15-yard pass to Brian Kent on the Wildcats' play of overtime, before Ludlow blasted through for the game-winning score.

SMSU sent the game to overtime on the final play of regulation as Charlie Kern completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Cross as time expired.

WSC, which has won four of its last five games, improves to 5-3, 3-1 NSIC South, while SMSU drops its second straight game and falls to 2-6, 1-3 NSIC South.

It was SMSU's first overtime game since defeating Winona State on Nov. 2, 2013, and now drops to 4-7 all-time in overtime games.

SMSU finished with a season-high 521 yards of offense and a season-high 31 first downs. Kern had an outstanding game completing 35 of 46 passes for 306 yards and tied a career-high with five touchdown passes, while also rushing for 58 yards on 17 attempts.

Tyler Tonderum rushed for a season-high 119 yards and one touchdown on 29 attempts to pace SMSU's rushing attack. Nate Huot also had a big night for SMSU with a career-high 10 receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Tonderum also caught three passes for 48 yards and one touchdown.

Wayne State closed the game with 461 yards of offense, with Osborn leading the way completing 23 of 38 pass attempts for 336 yards and three touchdowns. Kent recorded a game-high 115 yards receiving on eight receptions with teammate Cole McDaniel adding eight catches for 112 yards and one touchdown.

The Mustangs opened the game's scoring with an impressive drive to begin the game, moving the ball 82 yards on 11 plays, with Tonderum sealing the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to give SMSU an early 7-0 lead.

Wayne State answered quickly on its opening drive, tying the score just four plays later as Osborn completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to McDaniel with nine minutes and 17 seconds left in the first quarter.

The game remained tied until the second quarter when the Wildcats took their first lead of the game. WSC converted a key fourth-and-nine from the SMSU 32-yard line to extend the drive, before Lane Yates plowed through for a 4-yard touchdown run four plays later to give WSC a 14-7 advantage.

SMSU went three-and-out on its next possession and WSC quickly used the momentum to extend the lead. Facing second-and-four, Osborn connected with Adam Stark on a 74-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 21-7 with 10:55 remaining in the half.

SMSU answered with an impressive drive on its next possession to cut into the lead on the first of Kern's touchdown passes. SMSU used an off-side penalty by WSC on fourth-and-five from the WSC 37-yard line to keep the drive going and later capped it off with a Kern 7-yard pass to Huot with 6:30 on the clock.

Andrew McReynolds then stepped in front of an Osborn pass for his team-leading fourth interception of the season, setting up the Mustangs at their own 14-yard line.

SMSU then marched 86 yards on nine plays to tie the game as Kern completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Tonderum with 1:19 left in the half to make the score 21-21.

WSC was forced to punt on its first drive and SMSU took advantage to regain the lead on its first drive of the second half. The key play was a 26-yard Kern to Huot connection to the WSC 4-yard line, before Kern found Nate Carr for a 4-yard touchdown pass two plays later to make the score 28-21. It was the first career touchdown for Carr.

WSC rallied and scored on an Osborn 20-yard pass to Kent, but the PAT was missed keeping SMSU in the lead at 28-27.

Following punts by both teams, SMSU took over late in the third quarter at its own 40-yard line. A 15-yard completion from Kern to Ty Steffensen set up SMSU with first down at the WSC 36-yard to end the third quarter. Heading into the fourth, SMSU was looking to add to the lead, but on the quarter's first play, Kern was flushed from the pocket and as he tried to throw the ball away, was intercepted by Zach Bierman at the WSC 47-yard line and he returned it 53 yards for a touchdown to give WSC the lead back at 35-28, following a 2-point conversion.

SMSU wouldn't go away and came right back with a 65-yard drive as Kern fired a 13-yard touchdown to Huot on third-and-goal to tie the game at 35-35 with 9:10 left in regulation.

WSC was forced to punt on its next drive, but SMSU wasn't able to take advantage and also punted following three plays.

Taking over at its own 37-yard line with 5:09 on the clock, WSC moved to the SMSU 44-yard line following a 6-yard completion and a 15-yard late-hit penalty by SMSU. Facing second-and-seven from the SMSU 41-yard line, Osborn was sacked for a six-yard loss by Alex Werner, setting up third-and-13. Osborn was rattled and fired a 39-yard completion to McDaniel down to the eight-yard line. Two plays later Chad Koch scored on a 2-yard run with 1:41 remaining to put WSC back in front at 42-35.

SMSU started its game-tying drive at its own 32-yard line with 1:33 on the clock. Kern completed an 11-yard pass to Cross, then ran for nine yards to move the ball to the WSC 48-yard line. An eight-yard pass to Tonderum, followed by a four-yard pass to Cross moved to the ball to the WSC 36-yard line with 52 seconds remaining. Two plays later on third-and-five, Kern fired a 9-yard completion to Adam Olson to the 26-yard line with 37 seconds remaining. After two incompletions, Kern found Huot for a 16-yard pass to move the ball to the 10-yard line with five second left. After a spike to stop the clock, Kern had plenty of time in the pocket and found Cross open in the end zone for the touchdown as time expired. The PAT by Wenk was good sending the game into overtime.

SMSU picked up one first down in overtime, but on third-and-three from the 5-yard line, Kern was sacked, forcing the Mustangs to settle for Wenk's field goal.  

Casey Hertz and Donovan Woods led SMSU on defense with seven tackles each, while McReynolds, Blake Pennock and Jared Twedt each added six stop.

Southwest Minnesota State continues home play next Saturday, Nov. 1, taking on Concordia-St. Paul (2-6, 1-3 NSIC South) with kickoff slated for 1 p.m.