Red Raiders and Tigers set to battle in critical GPAC showdown

MITCHELL, S.D. – Winning hasn't been a problem the last three weeks for the No. 15 Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers and the (RV) Northwestern College Red Raiders. Both teams are set to square off in a Great Plains Athletic Conference bout at 1 p.m. Saturday at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D.

 The Tigers are coming off a 52-30 victory over the Concordia University Bulldogs at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell. DWU's offense ranks as one of the best in the NAIA, checking in at No. 4 in total offensive yards per game with 542. The Tigers are also averaging 41 points per game, good for ninth place in the latest polls.

 Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) continues to be one of the top offensive threats in the conference and the NAIA. Turner now ranks No. 1 in total offense with 2,718 yards and seventh in total passing yards with 2,007. Turner has carried the ball for 711 yards on 100 carries for seven touchdowns, while completing 66 percent of his passes for 2,007 yards, 22 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.

 Dustin Livingston (Irene, S.D.) has also emerged as a top scoring threat for the Tigers. The senior wide receiver has 39 catches for 697 yards and eight touchdowns, putting him at No. 4 in receiving yards per game with 116. In the last two games, Livingston has tallied 15 catches for 294 yards and four scores. DWU also ranks third in third down conversions, a critical offensive category that has led to the offensive explosion by the Tigers. On the ground, Jonny Withrow (Kimball, Neb.) has 81 carries for 368 yards and four touchdowns, while junior Hayden Adams (Villa Park, Ill.) has hauled in 32 catches for 391 yards and a score.

 On the defense side of the ball, sophomore Dillon Rork (Grand Island, Neb.) has been a staple at his outside linebacker position, recording 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Rork's counterpart Adam Bormann (Stickney, S.D.) has added 41 stops and 1.5 sacks. In the secondary, Trey DeCroock (Sioux Falls, S.D.) has tallied 40 tackles and two interceptions. 

 Scouting the Red Raiders 

  Despite dropping their first three games of the season, the Red Raiders have won three consecutive games, giving up less than 16 points. Northwestern comes to Mitchell with the 12^th best offense in the NAIA, averaging 32.5 points and 480 yards per game.

 Signal caller Jonathan Kodama leads the GPAC with 306 yards per game, while T.J. Spykstra checks in at No. 10 in the NAIA with 626 receiving yards as a junior. On the defensive side of the ball, Josh Treybal has 4.5 sacks and Sam Van Ginkel has tallied four sacks for the Red Raiders. 

 About the Series 

 Saturday will be the 17^th meeting between the two teams. Northwestern carries a 13-3 advantage and is 4-1 in the last five years. However, DWU came out on the winning side last season, defeating NWC at home 27-17. 

 About the Coaches 

 Dakota Wesleyan head coach Ross Cimpl is in his fifth season leading the Tigers. His career record is now 35-15 overall, putting him third on the DWU all-time wins list, passing Brad Pole recently. Cimpl is now three wins behind DWU great Bud Dougherty.

 Matt McCarty is in his first season as the head coach of Northwestern with a 3-3 overall record heading into Saturday's contest. McCarty is no stranger to the GPAC as he was the defensive coordinator for the Red Raiders for 11 seasons after being promoted in December 2015 to head coach. 

 Media Outlets 

 Tiger fans can watch live at www.dwuathletics.com or by following on Twitter @dwusports for all news related to DWU athletics. Fans can also tune in on their radio dial to 105.9 FM KMIT as the voice of the Tigers Tim Smith and former coach Bob Sprang bring you live play-by-play coverage.

 Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D.