Tigers prepare for final road test of the season
SEWARD, Neb. – The Dakota Wesleyan University football team will hit the road for its final road game of the season as they take on Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent Concordia University Saturday at 1 p.m. in Seward, Neb.
SEWARD, Neb. – The Dakota Wesleyan University football team will hit the road for its final road game of the season as they take on Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent Concordia University Saturday at 1 p.m. in Seward, Neb.
Last week, the Tigers thrashed Briar Cliff University on a record setting afternoon as they came away victorious, 63-24.
Offense took center stage for the Tigers as they tallied over 700 yards of total offense and 32 first downs. Early in the opening quarter, senior quarterback Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) connected with Hayden Adams (Villa Park, Ill.) for a 25-yard touchdown pass and their first of four touchdowns on the day.
DWU went on to score 22 points during the second quarter as they took a 30-17 lead heading into halftime. The second half continued as planned for the Tigers as they added 19 points in the third quarter thanks to the running back duo of Luke Loudenburg (Canova, S.D.) and Jonny Withrow (Kimball, Neb.) as they each notched a rushing touchdown. DWU added 14 points in the fourth quarter while only allowing seven points in the second half.
It was a record-setting day for Turner and Adams. Turner passed the 10,000-yard career passing mark and became the first Tiger quarterback to accomplish the feat. He also sits in first place in the DWU record books for most passing yards in a career with 10,078. Adams notched his place in the DWU record books as he broke the single-season receiving yard record with 1,087 yards. He currently has 2,686 receiving yards in his career.
On the day, Turner finished with 288 passing yards, 161 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns. Adams finished with eight receptions for 172 yards and four touchdowns. Loudenburg added 147 yards rushing on 12 rushes for a score, while Withrow recorded 81 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Eathen Gaulke (Kimball, S.D.) recorded four tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss, while Dillon Rork (Grand Island, Neb.) tallied eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. Tyler Wagner (Webster, S.D.) added six tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
About the Series
The all-time series played between DWU and Concordia has been a back-and-forth affair as the Tigers hold the advantage, 9-8. DWU defeated the Bulldogs last season, 52-30 at home. The last time Concordia defeated the Tigers was in 2014 in Seward by a score of 27-19.
About the Coaches
Ross Cimpl leads the Tigers in his sixth season as the head football coach with an overall record of 43-20. He has coached 17 first-team and 19 second-team All-GPAC members during his time at DWU.
The Bulldogs are led by Patrick Daberkow in his first season as the head football coach. He has been with the team for 11 seasons, serving in various coaching roles.
About the Concordia Bulldogs
Concordia enters this week with an overall record of 4-3 and 3-2 in the GPAC. Last week they defeated Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, 24-17. They are led by a tough defense who ranks 10th in the NAIA in defensive pass efficiency (106.9), 11th in opponent first downs (127) and 20th in scoring defense per game (22.3). D'Mauria Martin leads the defense with five interceptions on the season, good for fourth in the nation. Offensively, Ryan Durdon leads the team at running back as he averages 122 rushing yards per game and six touchdowns on the season. He also has 14 catches for 68 yards this year.