Tigers hope to bounce back on Saturday against the Chargers

MITCHELL, S.D. – Last Saturday didn't go as planned for the No. 18 Dakota Wesleyan University football team, dropping a 39-6 Great Plains Athletic Conference match-up to No. 5 Morningside College at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D.

  DWU hopes to get back to its winning ways on Saturday when they visit Briar Cliff University for a GPAC bout at 1 p.m. in the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.

 The Tiger defense held their own for most of the first half, giving up just 22 points to a Mustang offense that averages 56 points per game. However, DWU was unable to muster any offensive production, recording 241 yards of total offense compared to 568 yards by the Mustangs.

 Morningside (7-1, 6-0 GPAC) scored twice in the first quarter, while also converting on a botched field goal that resulted in a two-point conversion. Heading into the third quarter, the Mustangs added a field goal to push their lead to 25 points. The Tigers (6-3, 4-2 GPAC) eventually found the end zone on a 23 yard pass from quarterback Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) to Dustin Livingston (Irene, S.D.), capping a 5 play, 73-yard drive. The Mustangs wouldn't go away, scoring again in the third and once more in the fourth quarter.

 Turner competed 12 passes on 27 attempts for 158 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 39 yards. Hayden Adams (Villa Park, Ill.) hauled in seven catches for 81 yards and a score. Senior Adam Bormann (Stickney, S.D.) tallied 13 tackles, while Matt Jensen (Viborg, S.D.) added 11 stops and a tackle for loss. Trey DeCroock (Sioux Falls, S.D.) had 11 total tackles and a pass break-up in the loss.

 Saturday marked the final home game for the Tigers this season.

 As the Tigers hit the road for the final two games of the season, Turner will be relied on to be a leader on the offensive side of the ball. He ranks second in the NAIA in total offense with 3,308 yards, and fourth in total offensive yards per game with 367. Livingston has become a staple for the DWU receiving corp., hauling in 40 catches for 729 yards and nine scores, good for 16^th place in the NAIA in receiving yards per game.

 Jonny Withrow (Kimball, Neb.) is the second leading rusher on the team with 376 yards on 90 attempts and four touchdowns. Adams has also been a key contributor, while being one of Turner's favorite targets. The junior has 48 catches for 582 yards and four touchdowns so far this season.

 On the defensive side of the ball, Dillon Rork (Grand Island, Neb.) has taken over as the tackling leader for the Tigers, tallying 62 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Senior Brady Mudder (Garretson, S.D.) has been an anchor on the defensive line with 45 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks. 

 About the Coaches 

 Dakota Wesleyan head coach Ross Cimpl is in his fifth season leading the Tigers. His career record is now 36-16 overall, putting him third on the DWU all-time wins list, passing Brad Pole recently. Cimpl is now two wins behind DWU great Bud Dougherty. Tom Rethman is in his ninth season with the Chargers with a career record of 20-68. 

 About the Series

 Saturday is the 14th meeting between Dakota Wesleyan and Briar Cliff University on the football field. The series is in favor of the Tigers, 9-4. Last season, DWU defeated the Chargers 55-14 in Vermillion. 

 Media Outlets 

 Tiger fans can watch live at www.dwuathletics.com or by following on Twitter @dwusports for all the 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 the DakotaDome in Vermillion.