DWU offense shines against University of Saint Mary

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The Dakota Wesleyan University football team flexed its offensive muscles on Saturday, picking up its first win of the season against the University of Saint Mary 60-14 in the KCAC/GPAC Challenge in Leavenworth, Kan.

 Storming out to a 40-point lead at halftime put the game out of reach for the Spires, despite a touchdown in the second and fourth quarters by USM. The Tiger offense racked up 736 yards of total offense in the final KCAC/GPAC Challenge game. DWU totaled 447 yards through the air and 289 on the ground.

 Senior quarterback Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) was 24-of-31 through the air for 437 yards and six touchdowns. The reigning GPAC Player of the Year also ran for 24 yards on five attempts for a score.

 Sophomore Luke Loudenburg (Canova, S.D.) averaged 9.6 yards per carry on 12 attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown. Gaige Marshall (North Platte, Neb.) added eight carries for 69 yards.

 Hayden Adams (Villa Park, Ill.) had nearly a career-high in receiving yards with 201, hauling in just nine catches for two touchdowns. Freshman Spencer Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D.) hauled in two catches for 66 yards and a score, while Lewis Hofer (Onida, S.D.) caught four passes for 46 yards and two touchdowns.  

Defensively, Tyrel Haley (Winner, S.D.) recorded eight tackles and a tackle for loss. Trey DeCroock (Sioux Falls, S.D.) added seven stops, while Eathen Gaulke (Kimball, S.D.) had a sack and two tackles for loss.

 The Tigers (1-1) battle future GPAC member the University of Jamestown for their first game at home in 2017 at 1 p.m. Saturday at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.