Tiger Football Hits Road for First Time in 2014

MITCHELL, S.D. – In a reversal from last season, the Dakota Wesleyan University football team enjoyed the luxury of playing its first three games of 2014 at Joe Qunital Field in Mitchell, S.D.

For the first time this season, the No. 22 Tigers (2-1, 1-1 GPAC) will hit the road, as they travel to face Hastings College in a Great Plains Conference matchup Saturday, Sept. 27 in Hastings, Neb.

Both teams come into the game coming off conference losses last week. DWU suffered a 35-7 defeat at home to No. 18 Northwestern College, while Hastings (2-1, 1-1 GPAC) dropped a tight 28-24 decision on the road to Doane College.

The loss for the Tigers dropped the team from No. 15 in the NAIA Coaches' Poll to No. 22. DWU was held to just 187 yards of total offense against the Red Raiders, despite a 66-yard touchdown run by true freshman quarterback Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) on the first drive of the game.

Tiger running back Francois Barnaud (Belle Fourche, S.D.) came into last week's contest leading the nation in rushing yards, but was limited by an injury suffered in the previous week's game against Briar Cliff University. Barnaud was held to 62 yards on 14 carries and was kept out of the end zone for the first time in 2014.

Despite struggling through last week's game, Barnaud remains among the nation's leading rushers. He is third in the NAIA in rushing yards per game (168) and fourth in total rushing yards (504).

Through the air, DWU will look to get on track against Hastings. Turner finished 7-for-21 passing for 28 yards and two interceptions in the loss to Northwestern. The Tigers have yet to find the end zone with the passing game in 2014.

For Hastings, quarterback Matt Overmiller has led the way. He is fourth in the NAIA in total offense per game and leads the GPAC with 285.7 yards passing per game. Against Doane last week, Overmiller was 25-for-41 for 381 yards and a touchdown.

The favorite target for Overmiller this season has been wide receiver Austin Curlee, who has hauled in 17 passes for 281 yards and one score.

In last season's matchup, the Tigers opened their home schedule with the Broncos after starting the season with three straight road contests. DWU rode the legs of Barnaud to a 28-19 win, as the eventual All-American rushed for 249 yards on 32 carries and found the end zone on a 70-yard run. The Tigers rushed for 270 yards as a team against the Broncos, who were limited to 36 yards on the ground.