October 22, 2022

TIGERS FALL 22-13 AFTER BACK-AND-FORTH HARD FOUGHT GAME AGAINST NO. 17 MIDLAND

No. 17 Midland

7-1

Dakota Wesleyan

1-8

Final

No. 17 Midland (7-1)

Dakota Wesleyan (1-8)

Mitchell, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan football fell 22-13 against tough No. 17 ranked Midland University. The Tigers led for most of the game, but a couple of costly turnovers/mistakes ended up costing them the game. Adam DeJong came away with his sixth interception on the season making him first in the nation in that category. Brendan Kennedy had a career high and team game high 16 tackles in the contest. Jamin Arend moved into 9^th all-time in DWU history with his 96-yard effort on the day. Dakota Wesleyan drops to 1-8 (1-7 in the GPAC) with Midland improving to 7-1 (6-1 in the GPAC).

Quick Stats:

Offense –

Jamin Arend 15 rushes 96 yards
Austin Lee 10-26 199 yards 2 TD 2 INT
Maxwell Raab 3 catches 90 yards
Cole Holden 1 catch 57 yards 1 TD
Kiel Nelson 2 catches 36 yards 1 TD

Defense –

Brendan Kennedy 16 total tackles 1.5 TFL
Adam DeJong 8 total tackles 2.0 TFL 1 INT (six interceptions on season 1^st in nation)
Victor Kniesche & Hunter Cordell 10 total tackles
Ethan McCune 8 total tackles 2.5 TFL 2 sacks (team game high)

Recap:

Warriors started with the football and would face a third and thirteen after picking up a couple first downs. Adam DeJong would pickup right where he left off last game with his school record tying three interception day when he came down with his sixth interception early in the first drive. DeJong sits alone on the top in the nation in interceptions on the season. Austin Lee would run a play action and connect with Maxwell Raab over the middle for a gain of 19-yards. DWU would be forced to punt failing to pickup the first down leaving it scoreless with 9:37 left in the first. MU on their next drive was running the ball at will on the Tiger defense getting all the way down inside the DWU 05-yard line. Like all season the defense would bend but not break and hold the Warriors and limit the damage to a 23-yard field goal making it a 3-0 ballgame with 3:30 left in the quarter.

Both squads would be forced to punt on their next two drives. Ethan McCune came up with a big sack on third down to force the second punt. The score remained 3-0 with 7:10 left in the first half. After a four-yard rush by Arend, Lee would go play action, sucking the Warrior defense down to respect the GPAC rushing leader Arend and connect with Cole Holden for a 57-yard touchdown to give the Tigers their first lead of the game with 5:57 left in the half. The Warriors on their ensuing drive would crack off a 40-yard run thanks to a trio of broken tackles to set them up in the redzone again. As usual the defense held strong again and forced a Warrior field goal, holding on to their 7-6 lead at half.

Dakota Wesleyan received the ball to start the second half but wouldn't take advantage of it, fumbling the snap on the first play and then Lee throwing a pick six when his arm got hit as he threw and found the hands of the Midland defender. Score was 12-7 after the failed 2-point conversion. DWU would go three and out on their ensuing drive giving the ball to the Warriors with 11:55 left in the third. MU picked up a first down on a third and eight pass and catch, but later in the drive would face a fourth and three and not be as successful on that play when McCune just clipped enough of the Warrior's quarterback bringing him down for his second sack of the game and forcing the turnover on downs. Dakota Wesleyan would use the turnover and retake the lead when Lee connected with Kiel Nelson from 15-yards out making it 13-12 after a failed 2-point conversion.

The Warriors ensuing drive would see another 30+ yard run, again from broken tackles that set them up in the redzone. Again, the Tigers would hold strong and force a short yardage field goal bringing the score to 15-13 early in the fourth. DWU would face a third and eight on their ensuing drive when Lee couldn't quite handle the snap fumbling it and ultimately being recovered and returned by the Warriors to the DWU 27-yard line. Midland would take full advantage and punch it in from 5-yards out extending their lead to 22-13. Ensuing Tiger drive would have an 18-yard run from Arend that would be followed by a drive killing sack to force a punt with 9:08 left in the game.

MU picked up three first downs on their next drive chewing up a lot of clock but would punt giving the Tigers the ball back with 3:33 left. Dakota Wesleyan had nothing going on the drive and turned it over on downs giving the ball back and pretty much sealing the win for the Warriors. The defense would come up with another stop right before time ran out in the game, but Lee's pass would be intercepted on the first play for a 22-13 final.

Head-to-Head (Midland University)