Tigers blanked by No. 1 Mustangs

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers fell to No. 1 Morningside College Saturday in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup, 69-0 at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.

 The Tigers (1-8, 0-7 GPAC) began with the ball at their own 26 yard line, and turned the ball over two plays later off an interception. The Mustangs (7-0, 6-0 GPAC) began their first drive at the Tiger 10 -yard line. DWU held strong as Jackson Diede (Menno, S.D.) came up with an interception to keep the Mustangs out of the end-zone.

 Dakota Wesleyan began its' second drive at its' own five yard line. After a three-and-out, the Tigers were forced to punt which resulted in good field position for the Mustangs. Morningside capitalized with a five-play, 20-yard drive that resulted in a five-yard touchdown run.

 The Tigers next drive resulted in another punt, as Morningside did the same on their following possession. After another Dakota Wesleyan three-and-out, the Tigers were forced to punt which resulted in a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown to close out the first quarter to give the Mustangs a 14-0.

 A few possessions later, Brandon Slama (Chaska, Minn.) intercepted a Mustang pass and took it 24 yards to the Dakota Wesleyan 25 yard line.

 Following consecutive scoreless possessions for each team, Cody Reichelt (Mitchell, S.D.) came up with an interception to give the Tigers possession at their own four yard line. Morningside extended its' lead to 27-0 to close out the half following a 43-yard touchdown completion.

 At intermission, the Tiger defense tallied three interceptions and held the Mustangs to just 38 yards rushing.

 However, DWU was unable to keep Morningside in check in the second half as they tacked on 42 points through the final two quarters, while holding the Tigers off the scoreboard. 

 Quarterback Anthony De La Torre (Huntington Beach, Calif.)  went 19-of-35 for 89 yards. Chayden Fitzsimmons (Sioux Falls, S.D.) rushed four times for 13 yards to lead the Tiger rushing attack.  Reichelt led the Tiger defense with eight tackles as well as an interception. Eathen Gaulke (Kimball, S.D.) and Zach Gors (Tea, S.D.) chipped in 5 tackles apiece.

 DWU has a week off before hosting University of Jamestown at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at Joe Quintal Field.