No. 25 Tigers set to clash with No. 24 Midland

MITCHELL, S.D. – After weather forced the No. 25 Dakota Wesleyan University football team to play the Hastings College Broncos at the DakotaDome on Sunday in Vermillion, S.D., the Tigers return to Joe Quintal Field for Blue & White Days as they host the No. 24 Midland University Warriors.

 The Tigers were slow out of the gate against the Broncos as they failed to score any first-quarter points for the first time this season. Facing a 21-point deficit, the Tigers' special teams blocked a punt to set up their offense at the Hastings' 34-yard line.

 The offense used the favorable field position to their advantage as Dillon Turner, of Salem, Ark., found Tre Hobbs, of Detroit, for a 24-yard touchdown pass.

 In their opening drive of the second half, DWU drove 82 yards and scored on a Turner touchdown run to make it a one score game. The Tigers continued to score 21 points in the third quarter and held Hastings scoreless, taking a 28-21 lead heading into the final quarter.

 Turner found Hayden Adams, of Villa Park, Ill., for a 5-yard touchdown pass to take the biggest Tiger lead of the game at 35-21. However, the Broncos would not go away quietly. Hastings scored 14-unanswered points to tie the game.

 Freshman kicker Seth Paulson, of Mitchell, S.D., notched the 22-yard, game-winning field goal with six seconds remaining to give DWU the 38-35 victory. 

 About the Series 

 Dakota Wesleyan is 14-16 against Midland in the all-time football series. The Tigers have defeated the Warriors in five straight seasons with their last loss coming in 2011 in Fremont, Neb. 

 About the Coaches 

 Ross Cimpl is in his sixth season as the head football coach of the Tigers. He currently sits second in the DWU all-time wins list with a career record of 41-18. Jeff Jamrog is in his second season at the helm of the Warrior football program. He previously served as the assistant athletic director of football operations at the University of Nebraska. 

 About the Midland Warriors 

 Midland has a record of 4-0 on the season after defeating Dordt College 33-28 on Saturday. Midland's special teams have made an impact in their first four games. They rank ninth in the NAIA in kickoff return yards per attempt with 25.1 yards per return and rank eighth in punt return yards per attempt with 16.5 yards per return.

 Garry Cannon leads the team at quarterback with 132.8 passing yards and 58.5 rushing yards per game. His favorite target is Alec Von Alvensleben, who has nine catches for 124 yards on the season.