Tigers Fall in Top 20 Clash with Red Raiders

MITCHELL, S.D. – The annual Blue and White Days Celebration got of to a quick start for the No 15 Dakota Wesleyan University football team against Great Plains Athletic Conference foe No. 18 Northwestern Saturday at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D.

True freshman quarterback Dillon Turner took the second play from scrimmage 66 yards down the sideline for a touchdown to get the Tigers off to a quick 7-0 lead. That would be the end of the scoring for the day for DWU, as the Red Raiders tallied 35 unanswered points in a 35-7 win.

DWU was held to 187 yards of total offense and was forced to punt nine times in the team's first loss of the season. The Tigers fall to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the GPAC, while Northwestern remains unbeaten in conference play and 2-1 overall.

Star running back Francois Barnaud (Belle Fourche, S.D.) was limited to 14 carries for 62 yards after coming into the contest leading the nation in rushing yards per game. Freshman John Fabrizius (Casper, Wyo.) saw extended playing time with Barnaud unable to carry the load. Fabrizius carried the ball eight times for 44 yards.

After his opening 66-yard score, Turner was limited in the ground game, finishing with 19 carries for 44 yards. The Salem, Ark., native was 7-for-21 passing for 28 yards and two interceptions. DWU has yet to find the end zone through the air in 2014.

The Red Raiders found big plays in the running game, including touchdown runs of 29 and 23 yards by Paul Hutson. Northwestern quarterback Craig Bruinsma found Ben Green for a 13-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Bruinsma finished with 156 yards passing and one score, while Green hauled in eight passes for 115 yards.

The two teams combined to punt the ball 19 times in the game, while Northwestern won the turnover battle 3 to 1.

On defense, senior Jeff Maassen (Brandon, S.D.) led the Tigers with 13 tackles and one fumble recovery, while junior linebacker Brady Bonte (Garretson, S.D.) added eight tackles and two sacks.

The Tigers will head on the road for the first time this season to take on Hastings College at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 in Hastings, Neb.​