PREVIEW: DWU eyes matchup against Saint Mary in KCAC/GPAC Challenge

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Heading into their week two matchup, the Dakota Wesleyan University football team will look to get back to their winning ways after losing to in-state rival, Dakota State University on Aug. 26. The No. 17 Tigers hit the road for the second-straight week as they head to Leavenworth, Kan., to take on the University of Saint Mary Spires at 6 p.m. Saturday.

 For the third straight season, DWU will take on a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference during the KCAC/GPAC Challenge. Last season Tabor College visited DWU in Mitchell, S.D., which means this year DWU and the GPAC teams make the trip to face their KCAC opponents on the road. Over the two years that these conferences have faced each other, the GPAC is 15-3 against the KCAC.

 DWU is 2-0 in their matchups against their KCAC foes. In 2015, the Tigers defeated Ottawa University 23-22, and last year DWU beat Tabor College 35-21.

 The DWU offense shined in Madison, S.D., as the Tigers put up 39 points, 515 total yards of offense and six touchdowns. Senior quarterback Dillion Turner (Salem, Ark.) finished 19-of-27 passing for 292 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Turner also added 52 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Jace Pulse (Kimball, S.D.) was Turner's favorite target as he finished the night with seven catches for 132 and two touchdowns. Pulse was on the receiving end of a critical touchdown as Turner found him for an 80-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter to keep the Tigers within striking distance.

 Luke Loudenburg (Canova, S.D.) showed sparks of electricity as he rushed for 147 yards on 10 carries for two touchdowns. Loudenburg showed off his speed in the second quarter as he scored on a 56-yard touchdown rush.

 The Trojans offense was able to keep pace with DWU as they put up 642 yards of offense, 452 yards passing, 190 yards rushing and doubled the time of possession compared to the Tigers. In the end, the time of possession played into the hands of DSU, as they were able to keep the ball away from the DWU offense in the fourth quarter and eventually pull away with the victory. 

 About the Series 

 This is the first meeting between Dakota Wesleyan and Saint Mary on the football field. 

 About the Coaches 

 Dakota Wesleyan head coach Ross Cimpl is in his sixth season coaching the Tigers. He currently sits tied for second for most wins by a football coach in DWU history with a record of 38-16.

 Saint Mary is led by fourth-year head coach, Jay Osborne. He led the Spires to a school best, 8-3 record last season on his way to earning the KCAC Coach of the Year award. 

 About the Saint Mary Spires 

 The Spires opened their 2017 campaign last Saturday in convincing fashion as they downed Trinity Bible College, 49-0. They were led by quarterback Drew Cortez as he was 13-of-18 passing for 269 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Ben Harvey tallied five rushes for 64 yards and three scores. Saint Mary is 0-2 in the KCAC/GPAC Challenge as they lost to Concordia University last year and to Briar Cliff University in 2015.