DWU looks to bounce back at home against No. 25 Hastings College

MITCHELL, S.D. – The (RV) Dakota Wesleyan University football team fell to No. 7 Doane University in the NAIA Game of the Week, 68-67 last Saturday. Doane led a ferocious comeback in the final five minutes to defeat DWU in Crete, Neb. However, DWU sets their eyes on another NAIA Top-25 Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent as the No. 25 Hastings College Broncos visit tomorrow at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D.

 Both offenses had a quick start to the game last Saturday as DWU trailed Doane after the first quarter, 28-23. The second quarter saw much of the same as DWU trailed at the half, 42-37.

 The third quarter was owned by DWU on both sides of the ball. The offense found their rhythm as they scored 20-unanswered points and the defense held Doane scoreless.

 It looked as if the fourth quarter would be all DWU as senior quarterback Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) rushed for a 55-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 64-42 lead. However, Doane turned up their tempo in the final quarter as they scored three touchdowns in five minutes to regain a 68-67 lead. DWU received the ball with less than 40 seconds remaining, but could not score to retake the lead.

 Despite the loss, it was a record-setting day for the DWU offense as they broke the school record for most offensive yards in a game with 798. The previous record was 781 yards set in 1991 against Black Hills State University. Hayden Adams (Villa Park, Ill.) broke school records for receptions in a game and receiving yards in a game with 18 receptions for 254 yards and three touchdowns. Turner finished 30-of-44 passing with 405 passing yards, 122 rushing yards and six total scores. Luke Loudenburg (Canova, S.D.) added 127 yards on 26 carries for two touchdowns, while Gaige Marshall (North Platte, Neb.) tallied 13 rushes for 106 yards.

 Tyler Wagner (Webster, S.D.) led the defense with nine tackles and one tackle for loss and Tyrel Haley (Winner, S.D.) added eight total tackles. Freshman linebacker Cody Reichelt (Mitchell, S.D.) finished with one of his best performances with four tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two sacks.

 Last season DWU defeated Hastings as they jumped out to an early lead that they never relinquished as they left Hastings, Neb., with a 39-20 victory. The offense finished with 301 passing yards, 343 rushing yards and 644 total yards. The defense added two interceptions and three sacks on the day.

 Turner finished with 301 yards passing, 160 yards rushing and four total touchdowns. Marshall added 84 yards rushing and a score while Adams tallied three catches for 81 yards. Trey DeCrook (Sioux Falls, S.D.) recorded one of the interceptions for the defense and added six total tackles. Linebacker Dillon Rork (Grand Island, Neb.) added eight tackles. 

 About the Series 

 Dakota Wesleyan is 7-16 in the all-time series against Hastings College. The Tigers have won the previous four meetings against the Broncos including a 39-20 victory last season. 

 About the Coaches 

 The Tigers are led by head coach Ross Cimpl in his sixth season. Cimpl currently sits second in the DWU all-time wins list with a 40-18 career record.

 Tony Harper has been the head coach of the Broncos since 2011. Harper served as the Dakota Wesleyan University football head coach from 2002-2004. 

 About the Hastings Broncos 

 The Broncos boast a record of 3-0 and a No. 25 NAIA ranking this season after defeating Valley City State University, 47-9 last Saturday. This week's matchup marks the GPAC opener for Hastings after playing three non-conference games to open the season. Their offense ranks 15^th in the NAIA with 43.3 points per game and their defense ranks seventh nationally in points allowed per game with 15.7. The Broncos are led by quarterback Anthony Cloyd, who has passed for 374 yards, rushed for 260 yards and has six total touchdowns. On the ground, Tahj Willingham leads the way with 58 rushes for 341 yards and seven touchdowns, and four catches for 39 yards. Anthony Murray leads the defense statistically with 24 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions on the season.