Tigers Sweep GPAC Football Weekly Honors

MITCHELL, S.D. – The No. 21 Dakota Wesleyan University football team opened the 2014 season with a dramatic, come-from-behind win over the University of Wisconsin-Stout Saturday, Sept 6 at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D.

The Tiger performance resulted in a clean sweep of the Great Plains Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors, it was announced Monday.

DWU senior running back Francois Barnaud was named GPAC Offensive POTW, sophomore defensive back Cody Bonte earned the weekly defensive honor, while junior kicker/punter Daniel Porter earned the special teams award.

Barnaud took over on offense in the second half for the Tigers, who trailed Stout 12-0 at the half, taking the first offensive snap of third quarter 75 yards for a touchdown. He added a 57-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and finished with 22 carries for 282 yards and two scores in the win. The victory was the fifth straight for DWU, dating back to last season.

The Tigers secured the win over Stout when Bonte made his second interception for the DWU defense, which shut down the Blue Devils in the second half.

Porter punted six times in the game for DWU, flipping field position for the Tigers at key times. His long punt was 67 yards and he placed the ball inside the Stout 20-yard line three times. Porter was a perfect 3-for-3 on PAT attempts.

The Tigers (1-0) open GPAC league play against Briar Cliff University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.