DWU Football Rallies for Thrilling Win in Opener

MITCHELL, S.D. – For three quarters, the Dakota Wesleyan University football team spun its wheels in the team's season opener against the University of Wisconsin-Stout Saturday at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D.

The Tigers came alive in the fourth quarter led by star senior running back Francois Barnaud's toughness and key defensive plays as time wound down. Trailing 19-7 heading to the fourth, the Tigers scored 16 unanswered points and held on for a 23-19 win over the Blue Devils, an NCAA Division III program.

DWU got on the board in the fourth on a safety by linebacker Jeff Maassen to pull the Tigers within 10 points. After using all three timeouts to get the ball back with just over five minutes to play in the game, Barnaud powered through the Stout defense for a 57-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to three.

On the next Blue Devil possession, Jared Van Winkle intercepted a pass from Stout quarterback Aaron Koerner, who replaced injured starter Hank Kujak, at the Blue Devil 27-yard line.

The Tigers took the lead for the first time in the game with an 11-yard scoring run by quarterback Dillon Turner, who entered the game in the second half to replace starter Luke Stephens. DWU completed the win with an interception by Cody Bonte, his second of the contest.

Barnaud finished with 23 carries for 215 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown run to get DWU on the board early in the third quarter after trailing 12-0 at halftime. Stephens finished 12-of-17 passing for 159 yards and one interception in his first start under center for DWU. Turner completed 6 of 8 passes for 24 yards after entering the game in the second half for the Tigers.

Kodi Larson led the new-look DWU receiving corps with three catches for 67 yards, while Alex Robertson added three catches for 42 yards.

DWU outgained the Blue Devils on offense 390 yards to 251 yards.

The Tiger defense was led by Tanner Munk with 12 tackles and three pass break ups, while Brady Bonte finished with nine tackles, including two for loss. Senior Anthony Cervantes added seven tackles, while Maassen and Sam Kiger each picked up a sack.

Kujak completed 12-of-28 passes for 149 yards and a score for the Blue Devils, while Adolfo Pacheco added 57 yards on the ground on 22 carries. Cody Rosemeyer pulled in five passes for 92 yards in the loss. Luke Bakkum had a team-high nine tackles for Stout.

The Tigers (1-0) open Great Plains Athletic Conference play against Briar Cliff University at 1 p.m. Saturday Sept. 13 at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.