Tigers fall on road in heartbreaking fashion

SEWARD, Neb. – With 2:06 left to play, the Dakota Wesleyan University football team had one final possession for a game-winning drive. However, an interception kept DWU from taking its' first lead of the game, as Concordia University won 14-9 Saturday at Bulldog Stadium in Seward, Neb.

 After forcing a DWU punt, the Bulldogs (3-2, 2-2 GPAC) jumped on the scoreboard with a trick play. Concordia capitalized on a reverse pass for an 82-yard touchdown play to take an early 7-0 lead.

 With 3:13 left to play in the first quarter, Concordia added another touchdown, this time on a 31-yard rush to take a 14-0 lead.

 The Tigers (1-5, 0-4 GPAC) found their offensive rhythm in the second quarter. After a nine-play, 40-yard drive, Noah Vettrus (Hartford, S.D.) nailed a 34-yard field goal to put DWU on the scoreboard. Neither team found the end zone for the remainder of the first half, as the Bulldogs led 14-3 at halftime.

 The DWU defense held Concordia in check throughout the second half as the Bulldogs did not add any points for the remainder of the game. The Tiger offense found a spark as freshman quarterback Alex Pohlen (Minneota, Minn.) found Spencer Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D.) for an 84-yard touchdown pass. Following a failed two-point conversion, DWU trailed 14-9 with 4:48 left to play.

 After forcing the Bulldogs to punt with 2:06 left, the Tigers found themselves with the ball and a chance to take the lead. Pohlen completed his first two pass attempts to begin the drive. Pohlen found Luke Loudenburg (Canova, S.D.) a few plays later for an eight-yard completion to move into Concordia territory. However, one play later, Kordell Glause of Concordia intercepted the Pohlen pass to seal the game.

 Pohlen finished the game 31-of-49 passing for 322 yards and a touchdown. Neugebauer had a career day as he finished with a career-high 227 receiving yards on 12 catches and a touchdown, while Loudenburg chipped in 58 rushing yards on 19 attempts. Alan Murtic (Phoenix, Ariz.) led the charge defensively as he tallied eight tackles and a tackle for loss, as Emmanuel Christopher (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Cody Reichelt (Mitchell, S.D.) tallied seven tackles apiece.

 The Tigers return home for Blue and White Days as they battle Dordt College at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.