The Original Home-Run Threat: Bobby Wagner’s Record-Breaking Marauder Career

Long before Marauder Football was regularly in the national rankings, the program had a workhorse in the backfield who could change a game every time he touched the ball. His name: Bobby Wagner.

A dynamic running back with breakaway speed and incredible vision, Wagner powered the University of Mary offense in the early 1990s, helping turn a young program into a conference champion and national playoff contender—and leaving his name all over the record book.

From California Stardom to Modesto to Mary

After an outstanding high school career in California, Wagner signed with Modesto Junior College, a Central Valley Conference member in his home state. There, he continued his strong play for two seasons, setting the stage for his move to Bismarck.

In 1992, Bobby enrolled at the University of Mary, and the Marauders offense changed overnight.

1992: Instant Impact and a Playoff Run

Wasting no time, Wagner immediately became the focal point of the UMary offense:

• The Marauders went 7–1–1
• Captured a co-conference championship
• Earned a spot in the NAIA playoffs

That season, Wagner:

• Rushed for 1,112 yards
• Scored 92 points, setting a new single-season scoring record

He turned routine handoffs into big gains and gave Mary a true home-run threat any time the ball was in his hands.

1993: Raising the Bar and Rewriting the Records

If 1992 was special, 1993 was legendary.

That year, the Marauders:

• Finished 8–3
• Won their first-ever NAIA playoff game, advancing to the quarterfinals

Wagner’s numbers were staggering:

• 1,752 rushing yards – still #1 all-time for a single season at UMary
• 148 points scored – shattering his own scoring record by 56 points
• 22 touchdowns in a single season

In two separate games in 1993, he scored four touchdowns:

• Against Mayville State
• Against Valley City State University

Defenses knew exactly who was getting the ball. They still couldn’t stop him.

Career Marks That Still Stand Tall

Incredibly, Wagner compiled these numbers in just two seasons at UMary, yet he remains one of the most prolific offensive players in school history.

Career records and rankings:

• 2,864 rushing yards – #1 all-time at UMary at the time (and still among the elite totals)
• 240 career points – #1 in school history
• 37 career touchdowns
• 22 touchdowns in 1993 alone

He also owns one of the most explosive special-teams plays in school history:

• 99-yard kickoff return against Western Montana during his senior season (1993) – a UMary record for longest kickoff return

Bobby wasn’t just a great running back; he was a one-man scoring engine.

Honors and Recognition

Wagner’s on-field dominance did not go unnoticed:

• Two-time All-Conference selection
• 1993 NAIA Second Team All-American

For a back who only played two seasons in Bismarck, that level of national recognition speaks volumes about just how much impact he had.

A Legacy for Every Marauder Running Back

For today’s Marauder tailbacks, Bobby Wagner’s career offers a blueprint:

• Be reliable enough to carry the offense.
• Be explosive enough to flip a game in a single play.
• Be consistent enough to produce week after week, season after season.

From California high school star to Modesto standout to UMary legend, Wagner helped launch the Marauders onto the NAIA stage and set standards that backs still chase today.