Tigers looking to finish the regular season strong against Midland
MITCHELL, S.D. – After cruising to a 54-24 victory Saturday over Briar Cliff University, the No. 18 Dakota Wesleyan University football team hopes to add another win to its 7-3 record against Midland University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference showdown at 1 p.m. Saturday in Fremont, Neb.
MITCHELL, S.D. – After cruising to a 54-24 victory Saturday over Briar Cliff University, the No. 18 Dakota Wesleyan University football team hopes to add another win to its 7-3 record against Midland University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference showdown at 1 p.m. Saturday in Fremont, Neb.
It was all Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) on Saturday in the DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D. The junior helped the Tigers tally 589 yards of total offense. Turner was 22-of-31 for 317 yards, seven touchdowns and an interception, while adding 146 yards on the ground and a score. Lewis Hofer (Onida, S.D.) hauled in six catches for 115 yards and two scores, while senior Dustin Livingston (Irene, S.D.) also caught six catches, good for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Hayden Adams (Villa Park, Ill.) was Turner's favorite target on the afternoon, catching 10 passes for 93 yards and three scores.
Turner now sits in fourth in the NAIA in total offensive yards per game with 377, while recording 3,771 yards of total offense, good for second place. Turner etched his name into the DWU record books on Saturday, passing Jon Bane for passing yards in a season with 2,856 set in 2011. Livingston leads the team with 46 total catches, while also ranking 14th in receiving yards per game with 92. Livingston has accumulated 828 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Adams is no stranger to the NAIA ranks as he sits in 10th-place for total receptions with 58.
The Tiger defense has held its own for most of the year, led by sophomore Dillon Rork (Grand Island, Neb.) Rork leads the team with 67 tackles to go along with 4.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. Senior Brady Mudder (Garretson, S.D.) leads the team in sacks with 7.5, while also adding 49 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss. Fellow senior Adam Bormann (Stickney, S.D.) has tallied 66 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss at his linebacker position.
About the Warriors
Midland has turned the page after going just 1-10 a year ago. New Head Coach Jeff Jamrog has helped the Warriors to a 6-4 record leading up to Saturday. Jamrog previously spent time as the Assistant Athletic Director of Football Operations at the University of Nebraska.
Deon Ransom leads the Midland rushing attack with 928 yards and seven touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Garry Cannon has thrown for 1,544 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. Wyatt Tremayne leads the Warrior defense with 75 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss, while Lucas Schawang has tallied 63 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
About the Coaches
Dakota Wesleyan head coach Ross Cimpl is in his fifth season leading the Tigers. His career record is now 37-16 overall, putting him third on the DWU all-time wins list, passing Brad Pole recently. Cimpl is now one win behind DWU great Bud Dougherty. Jeff Jamrog is in his first season with the Warriors with a career record of 6-4.
About the Series
Saturday marks the 20th meeting between Dakota Wesleyan and Midland University on the football field. The series is in favor of the Warriors, 13-16. Last season, DWU defeated Midland 51-29 in Fremont.
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 Heedum Field in Fremont.
