No. 14 DWU, No. 5 Doane set for Blue & White Days Clash

MITCHELL, S.D. – Moving up two spots in the current NAIA poll, the No. 14 Dakota Wesleyan University football team (2-1) showed its offensive firepower last weekend, defeating the University of Jamestown 55-17. The Tigers welcome the No. 5 Doane College Tigers (2-0) for the Great Plains Athletic Conference opener at 1 p.m. Saturday at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D. The will also be the annual Blue & White Days for DWU.

Saturday's contest will be the second NAIA Game of the Week for the Tigers, it was announced on Tuesday. Previously in the season, DWU defeated No. 8 Tabor College (Kan.) 35-21 in the first NAIA Game of the Week.

Last season, Doane defeated the Tigers by a final of 42-17 in Crete, Neb. DWU took a 17-14 lead heading into halftime, but Doane scored 28-unanswered points in the second half to pick up the win, which helped send Doane to the NAIA postseason. In 2014, DWU pulled away for a 27-23 victory at home, storming back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

DWU has been on a roll since dropping its season opener, ranking No. 5 in the NAIA in total rushing offense. Junior quarterback Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) leads the offensive attack, averaging 92 rushing and 231 passing yards per game. Last week in Jamestown, Turner accounted for seven total touchdowns and nearly 400 yards of offense. Turner ranks No. 4 in total offense in the NAIA and was named GPAC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the victory over Jamestown.

The Tigers have been running the football by committee in recent games. Sophomore Jonny Withrow (Kimball, Neb.) has scored two touchdowns, while racking up 196 yards on the ground. Junior John Fabrizius (Casper, Wyo.) has added 99 yards on the ground with a score, while Gaige Marshall (North Platte, Neb.) has rushed for 86 yards in three games. Turner continues to be a threat through the air, completing 60-of-92 passes for 693 yards, nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. Dustin Livingston (Irene, S.D.) has been Turner's primary target as of late, hauling in 16 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Kodi Larson (Tyndall, S.D.) has eight catches and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers have been led by senior Adam Bormann (Stickney, S.D.) Bormann has tallied 18 tackles, while Dillon Rork (Grand Island, Neb.) has 18 tackles and a team-high five tackles for loss. Senior Brady Mudder (Garretson, S.D.) has 16 stops, to go along with three tackles for loss.

Scouting Doane

Coming off a 23-12 road win over William Jewell in Liberty, Mo., the Doane defense ranks No. 6 in total defense per game in the NAIA. Saturday's contest also marks the first GPAC contest for Doane. The Doane defense has allowed 241 yards of total offense per game to its opponents. Linebacker Colten Mach has tallied 19 tackles and one-and-a-half sacks. Shaquan Drayton and Trent Jeary have eight stops, while Jordan Pelletier has six total tackles, two-and-a-half tackles for loss and one-and-a-half sacks.

On the offensive side of the ball, All-GPAC performer from a year ago, senior running back Nate Meier is averaging 4.2 yards per carry to go along with two touchdowns. Wide receiver Drew Klein has hauled in seven passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Starting quarterback Jack Shadley has completed 25-of-56 passes for 291 yards and three scores.

Saturday's contest marks the 32^nd meeting between the two teams, with Doane holding a 19-11-1 advantage over the Tigers.