Offensive firepower to carry Tigers into Iowa

MITCHELL, S.D. – Coming off a bye week, the N0. 16 Dakota Wesleyan University football team will turn to its offensive weapons when they battle Dordt College in a Great Plains Athletic Conference bout at 1 p.m. Saturday in Sioux Center, Iowa.

  The Tigers (3-2, 1-1 GPAC) recently defeated Hastings College 39-20, securing their first conference win of the season on Sept. 24 in Hastings, Neb. Dordt (3-2, 1-2 GPAC) overturned Briar Cliff University 38-10 for their first conference win in 2016 on Saturday in Vermillion, S.D.

 Both teams will enter Saturday's contest ranked in the top-15 in rushing offense per game in the NAIA. For the Tigers, junior quarterback Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) leads the team with 468 rushing yards and 1,258 passing, good for fifth place in the total offensive yards per game category. Running back Gaige Marshall (North Platte, Neb.) has seen an increase in offensive production, carrying the ball just three times for 84 yards and a touchdown over Hastings. Marshall is closing in on 200 rushing yards this season. Through the air, Tuner has connected with senior Dustin Livingston (Irene, S.D.) on 24 catches for 403 yards and four touchdowns. Livingston currently sits in 12^th place in receptions per game with six. 

 About Dordt College 

 The Defenders have rushed for almost 1,500 yards this season, led by Bryce Lidtka with 706 yards on 115 attempts and 11 touchdowns. Lidtka is averaging 141 yards per game and 6.1 yards per carry, putting him in third place in the NAIA in rushing yards per game. Also leading the Defender offense is wide receiver Jason Miller with 38 receptions for 625 yards and three touchdowns.

 Dordt has recorded 19 rushing touchdowns to only three passing, compared to a more balanced attack by DWU with 12 rushing and 14 passing. The Tigers have been able to convert on most third downs this season, ranking fourth in the NAIA in third down conversion. 

 About the Coaches

 Dakota Wesleyan head coach Ross Cimpl is in his fifth season leading the Tigers. The Wagner, S.D. native, has a career record of 33-15, putting him in fourth place on the DWU all-time wins list.

 Dordt head coach Joel Penner enters his first year at the helm, with over 16 years of college football coaching experience. Penner is no familiar face in the GPAC, coaching two seasons at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. 

 About the Series

 Saturday will mark the ninth meeting between the two teams. The Tigers hold an 8-0 record over the Defenders.