DWU to battle Doane in road matchup

CRETE, Neb. – The Dakota Wesleyan University football team hits the road for the third time in four weeks as they travel to Crete, Neb. to battle Doane University in Great Plains Athletic Conference play on Saturday. The Tigers are seeking their first win of the 2020 campaign as they continue to search for an offensive identity.

 Eyes of the Tigers

 A week ago, Dakota Wesleyan returned to Joe Quintal Field for the first time in 2020, ultimately succumbing to a 47-10 defeat against Dordt University. After forcing DWU to punt on its opening drive, the Defenders (2-0, 2-0 GPAC) cruised to a 13-0 lead after finding the endzone on consecutive drives.

 The Tigers (0-3, 0-3 GPAC) used their third possession of the game to piece together what looked to be a promising drive. Kiel Nelson (Mitchell, S.D.) found Spencer Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D.) for a 43-yard connection putting the offense in business. Though, the drive stalled from there forcing DWU to settle for a 39-yard field goal off the foot of Tate Gale (Irene, S.D.) narrowing the score, 13-3.

 Dordt posted a strong response as they scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter taking a commanding 33-3 lead into halftime.

 In the second half, the Tiger defense made an initial splash as they forced the Defenders to punt on their initial possession. Set up on the 48-yard line, the DWU offense marched 52 yards over 10 plays to notch its first touchdown of the game. Zachary Lester (Fairbanks, Alaska) hooked up with Garrett Determan (Watertown, S.D.) for an eight-yard strike to pull within 23 points.

 Though, Dordt quickly silenced the Tiger attack by notching 14-unanswered points in the second half to seal the 47-10 victory and ultimately spoil the homecoming festivities.

 The Dakota Wesleyan defense was anchored by Samuel Kretschmar (Huron, S.D.) who finished with nine tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss while Adam DeJong (Watertown, S.D.) notched seven tackles and one tackle for loss. On the other side of the ball, Lester led the charge with 122 yards passing and one score. He completed six passes to Neugebauer who finished with 93 yards.

 Beyond the Stripes

 Dakota Wesleyan trails 11-23-1 in the all-time series, however, DWU claimed three-straight victories in the rivalry from 2012 to 2014.

 In week six of 2019, Dakota Wesleyan hosted Doane seeking their first conference victory of the year. Faced with a 38-7 deficit heading into the final quarter, the Tigers made a valiant attempt at a comeback. TreVyon McDaniel (Lakewood, Wash.) found the endzone from three yards out giving DWU their first touchdown of the contest.

 On the following possession, the Tigers notched paydirt again as Zachary Lester (Fairbanks, Alaska) connected with Garrett Determan (Watertown, S.D.) for a 42-yard touchdown pass capping a nine-play, 82-yard drive. In the end, Doane ultimately weathered the DWU rally securing a 38-20 victory making it five straight over the Blue and Gray.

 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 49-41 with his best campaigns coming in 2015 and 2016 when he led the Tigers to 9-2 and 8-3 finishes, respectively. Lastly, Cimpl holds a 3-5 record versus Doane including back-to-back victories in Crete during the 2012 and 2014 seasons.

 The opposing sideline will feature head coach Chris Bessler who enters his third season with the Tigers, after taking over the program in July of 2018. Bessler currently holds a 12-12 overall record, including six wins in his inaugural season.

Stocking the Hunt

 Doane University (2-1, 2-1 GPAC) enters the week-four matchup with consecutive victories over Briar Cliff and Hastings, respectively. The Tigers defeated the Chargers at Al Papik Field in week two ultimately winning the defensive battle, 13-6. Last week, Doane needed every point in a 52-37 offensive battle to secure their second win of the season in Hastings.