Tigers drop road contest

FREMONT, Neb. – For the third time in four weeks, the Dakota Wesleyan University football team dropped a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup by one score. DWU fell to (RV) Midland University, 21-14 Saturday in Fremont, Neb.

 On the first possession of the game, the Tigers (1-7, 0-6 GPAC) drove the length of the field and scored on a 9-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Shaye Slaughter (Harrisburg, S.D.) to take an early 7-0 lead.

 The Warriors (6-2, 4-2 GPAC) answered with a touchdown drive of their own to tie the game, 7-7 in the first quarter.

 Moments later, Midland took the lead on an 83-yard touchdown play to take a 14-7 lead. In the second quarter, the Warriors found the end zone again to take a 21-7 lead. The score remained the same throughout the remainder of the first half as both teams headed to halftime with Midland leading, 21-7.

 The DWU defense held strong in the opening moments of the third quarter as they forced two turnovers in the first three Midland drives. After Slaughter threw an interception, Midland fumbled the ball and DWU returned the fumble to the Midland six yard line, where Luke Loudenburg (Canova, S.D.) punched the ball into the end zone to make it a 21-14 ballgame.

 In the beginning moments of the fourth quarter, Eathen Gaulke (Kimball, S.D.) forced a fumble that was recovered by Dillon Rork (Grand Island, Neb.) at the DWU 19 yard line.

 On the ensuing possession, the Tigers drove to the Warrior two yard line, where DWU was stopped. However, following three Midland run plays and three DWU timeouts, the Tigers were poised to have one more chance to tie the game. But, the Warriors converted on a fourth-down attempt to win the game.

 Slaughter finished the game 15-of-28 passing for 124 passing yards along with a rushing touchdown. Loudenburg tallied 108 rushing yards on 24 attempts and a touchdown. Tyler Wagner (Webster, S.D.) recorded 12 total tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. Gaulke added nine tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.

 The Tigers travel north to take on the University of Jamestown in a GPAC matchup at 1 p.m. Saturday in Jamestown, N.D.