Wayne State hosts Missouri S&T Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at Bob Cunningham Field in Wayne to open the 2024 football season.  It's the first time since 2011 that the 'Cats have opened the season against a non-conference opponent.  WSC was picked fourth in the Preseason NSIC Coaches' Poll after going 8-3 overall and 7-3 in the NSIC last season.  MST was listed as fourth in the nine-team Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll following last year's 4-7 record (4-3 GLVC) where the Miners finished the season strong winning four of their last six contests.  In last year's meeting played at Rolla, Missouri WSC jumped out to a 31-7 lead, scoring on their first five possessions of the game, before holding off a furious Missouri S&T rally to win 38-35.  Four of the five games in the series have been decided by five points or less.