DWU, Dordt set to clash in home opener

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University football team opens up week three of the 2020 season with their first home contest and Blue & White Days at Joe Quintal Field. The Tigers are seeking their first win of the 2020 campaign as they clash with the Defenders of Dordt University at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow in Mitchell.

Eyes of the Tigers

 Last week, the Tigers fell 50-16 in their second-straight road contest at the hands of Northwestern College. Stalling on the opening possession of the game, the Tigers (0-2, 0-2 GPAC) were forced to punt the ball. The Raiders (1-1, 1-1 GPAC) responded with a 39-yard drive on the ensuing possession but were ultimately forced to a field goal after the Tiger defense held strong.

 On their next drive, the Blue and Gray pieced together a promising drive as they moved the ball down to the NWC 39-yard line. However, after nine plays the Tiger offense was forced to punt once again. Northwestern responded with their second score of the game off a 73-yard touchdown pass to take a 10-0 edge in the first period.

 Later on, in the second stanza, Northwestern was seeking to add another score, though, Nate Rupprecht (Bennington, Neb.) had other thoughts as he intercepted a pass from Tyson Kooima and returned it to the DWU 39-yard line.

 In the second half, the Tiger offense found their spark piecing together a seven-play drive that concluded with a 12-yard touchdown when Zachary Lester (Fairbanks, Alaska) connected with Spencer Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D). Kicker Tate Gale (Irene, S.D) also knocked through a 27-yard field goal to cut into the Raider deficit. Despite the offensive rhythm, Dakota Wesleyan ultimately faltered to a 50-16 defeat.

 The Dakota Wesleyan defense was anchored by Samuel Kretschmar (Huron, S.D.) with five total tackles and an interception. Rupprecht tallied four tackles along with an interception. Offensively, Libolt led the charge with 53 yards on five receptions, while his counterpart, Neugebauer, accounted for one touchdown, 52 yards and eight catches. The Tigers amassed 305 total yards, as they recorded 196 passing yards and 109 rushing yards.

 Beyond the Stripes

 The Blue and Gray currently leads the all-time series over Dordt 10-2, including six straight from 2012-17 under head coach Ross Cimpl.

 In week five of 2019, Dakota Wesleyan hosted Dordt seeking their first conference victory of the year. After the Defenders raced out to a 14-0 lead, Spencer Neugebauer returned a kickoff 86 yards. The Tiger offense found the endzone two plays later when Kiel Nelson (Mitchell, S.D.) found Garrett Determan (Watertown, S.D.) to pull within one score. The Defenders took a 30-12 lead into halftime and ultimately came away with a 57-22 road victory.

 Keeping it Cimpl

 Coach Ross Cimpl enters his ninth season at the helm for the Tigers where he currently resides as the second winningest coach all-time at Dakota Wesleyan and is seeking his 50^th-career victory. He boasts an overall record of 49-40 with his best campaigns coming in 2015 and 2016. Returning home, Cimpl holds a 28-16 record at Joe Quintal Field including an impressive mark of 25-7 from 2012-17.

 The opposing sideline will feature head coach Joel Penner who enters his fifth season at Dordt, after securing the position in 2016. Penner currently holds a 24-18 overall record, including consecutive seven-win seasons.

 Stocking the Hunt

 Dordt University is coming off a 7-4 overall mark and a 6-3 conference record in 2019 following a record-setting season in 2018. The Defenders culminated last year's campaign winning four of their final five contests. After producing 10 All-GPAC players a season ago, the Defenders return a plethora of talent for the 2020 season.

 Sophomore running back Carter Schiebout returns as a staple of the Dordt offense after posting a strong freshman campaign. The 2019 All-GPAC Second Team Offensive selection rushed for one touchdown on eight carries and 65 yards in a season opening win versus Midland University.

 On the opposite side of the ball, Dordt returns a wealth of experience as well including senior defensive end David Kacmarynski. The 2019 All-GPAC Second Team Defensive selection was pivotal in the season opener as well notching five tackles along with a sack and tackle for loss.