DWU football prepares for battle with Concordia

SEWARD, Neb. – For the second-straight week, the Dakota Wesleyan University football team will be back on the road to face Concordia University after falling to Briar Cliff University a week ago on a cold, blustery day in Sioux City, Iowa.

 The Tigers raced out to an early lead as Daniel Libolt (Chambers, Neb.) took the opening kickoff back 92 yards for a touchdown to give DWU a 7-0 lead. The Chargers scored on a 93-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 7-7 later in the first quarter.

 DWU responded after an interception by Dillon Rork (Grand Island, Neb.) with a 30-yard field goal from Tate Gale (Irene, S.D.) to put the Tigers ahead 10-7. BCU added a score to put the Chargers in front 13-10 heading into the locker room.

 In the second half, DWU forced a Charger punt early on. Following the punt, the Tiger offense drove the length of the field to set-up Gale with his second field goal of the game, this time from 25 yards out to tie the game at 13. Both defenses held strong throughout the rest of the second half, but the Chargers scored late in the fourth quarter on a 12-yard touchdown pass and secured the win 20-13 over DWU.

 Shaye Slaughter (Harrisburg, S.D.) was 19-of-44 for 191 yards passing, while rushing for 45 yards on 10 attempts. Luke Loudenburg (Canova, S.D.) finished with 34 yards on 15 rushing attempts and Spencer Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D.) caught eight passes for 57 yards and Libolt finished with three catches for 46 yards and a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

 Tyler Wagner (Webster, S.D.) finished with 13 total tackles for the Tigers while Mitch Johnson (Mitchell, S.D.) finished with 12 tackles and a sack. Rork finished with four tackles and two interceptions for DWU. 

 About the Series 

 The Tigers and Bulldogs are an even 9-9 in the all-time series played. Concordia defeated the Tigers 38-16 in a week-10 matchup in Seward, Neb., last season. The last time DWU won at Concordia was in 2012 when the Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 26-23. 

 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. He currently sits second in all-time wins at DWU with 45 victories.

 The Bulldogs are coached by Patrick Daberkow in his second year at the helm for Concordia. His career record is 8-6 thus far. 

 About the Concordia Bulldogs 

 Concordia University currently has a record of 2-2 with wins coming against Buena Vista University and the University of Jamestown. The Bulldogs have dropped their last two games to GPAC opponents Midland University and Dordt College. Concordia is led by quarterback Jake Kemp who is 54-of-95 for 525 yards and five touchdowns and two interceptions. The ground attack is led by Ryan Durdon with 440 yards and four touchdowns through four games and Vincent Beasley has 20 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown. Lane Napier has been a steady piece to the Bulldog defense with 42 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.