Tigers square off against Briar Cliff

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University football team looks to snap a two-game losing streak after a loss to No. 5 Northwestern College 41-13. This week, DWU will hit the road to Sioux City, Iowa to take on Briar Cliff University at 1 p.m. Saturday.

 The Red Raiders jumped out to a 7-0 lead after a 14-play, 74-yard drive that took seven minutes off the clock. The Tigers came back and responded after a forced fumble by Tyler Wagner (Webster, S.D.) set up the Tiger offense in great field position. Tate Gale (Irene, S.D.) nailed a 32-yard field goal to cut the Northwestern lead to four.

 Northwestern was able to put three touchdowns on the scoreboard to make the halftime score 28-3.

 In the third quarter, Gale added his second field goal of the game from 30 yards out to make the score 38-6. The Tigers found the end zone late in the fourth quarter as Spencer Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D.) punched in a two-yard score, but it wasn't enough as Northwestern went on to win the contest 41-13.

 Quarterback Shaye Slaughter (Harrisburg, S.D.) was 10-of-32 passing with 161 yards, while rushing for 22 yards. Luke Loudenburg (Howard, S.D.) rushed for 61 yards on 23 carries. Neugebauer had seven rushes for 18 yards and a touchdown, while Jonny Withrow (Kimball, Neb.) led the DWU receivers with four catches and 84 yards.

 Eathen Gaulke (Kimball, S.D.) and Tyrel Haley (Winner, S.D.) led the team defensively with nine tackles, as Gaulke added two tackles for loss. Wagner added five tackles and a forced fumble. 

 About the Series 

 Last season, The Tigers defeated Briar Cliff in a week-nine matchup 63-24 at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell. The Tiger offense posted 700 yards of offense and had 32 first downs that day. DWU is 11-4 against Briar Cliff in all-time football series played. The last time the Chargers defeated the Tigers was in 2009 as the Tigers lost 33-7. 

 About the Coaches 

 Ross Cimpl is currently in his seventh season as the head coach of the football program. He has coached 77 All-GPAC players during his tenure at DWU.

 Dennis Wagner is in his second year as the head coach at Briar Cliff. His career record with the Chargers is 3-12. 

 About the Briar Cliff Chargers 

 Briar Cliff is off to a good start with a record of 3-1. The Chargers opened up the season 3-0 with wins against Waldorf University, Dakota State University, and Hastings College. The first lost for the Chargers came this past week against No. 2 Morningside, 56-0. Briar Cliff is led by running back Noah Ylagan who has rushed for 303 yards on 72 attempts and a touchdown. The Chargers have played two quarterbacks this season, as junior Brad Cagle has tossed seven touchdowns for 591 yards. Freshman Cole Hanafan has thrown for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, they are led by Caleb Wilson who has 32 tackles on the year and Markel Roby who has 21 tackles and two interceptions on the year.