MITCHELL, S.D. – On a rainy afternoon, the Dakota Wesleyan University football team struggled to find the end zone against Doane University in Great Plains Athletic Conference action as DWU fell, 30-3 Saturday at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.
On the first play of the game, freshman quarterback Alex Pohlen (Minneota, Minn.) was intercepted and had the turnover returned for a touchdown. DWU was forced to punt on its' next possession. Doane (5-4, 4-4 GPAC) attempted a 53-yard field goal on its' first offensive possession but was denied as the kick hit the crossbar.
With less than five minutes to play in the opening quarter, freshman kicker Tate Gale (Irene, S.D.) put the Tigers (2-8, 1-7 GPAC) on the scoreboard with a 37-yard field goal.
Doane answered back with a touchdown in the opening moments of the second quarter, to take a 14-3 lead. With less than nine minutes to play in the first half, Gale attempted another field goal, this time missing wide right. Neither team found the end zone as Doane led DWU at halftime, 14-3.
Doane began the second half with three field goals to take a 23-3 lead with 1:04 left in the third quarter. On the next DWU possession, Pohlen was intercepted again, as Doane returned it for a touchdown to put the game out of reach.
Pohlen finished the game 15-of-28 passing for 155 yards, while Luke Loudenburg (Canova, S.D.) rushed for 85 yards on 22 attempts. Jonny Withrow (Kimball, Neb.) led the DWU receivers with two catches for 40 yards. Sophomore linebacker Cody Reichelt (Mitchell, S.D.) led the defense with 15 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Tyler Wagner (Webster, S.D.) tallied eight tackles and two tackles for loss, while Tyrel Haley (Winner, S.D.) recorded six tackles and a pass breakup.
The Tigers conclude the season against Hastings College at 1 p.m. Saturday for senior day at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.
