MADISON, S.D. – It was nothing short of an offensive battle on Thursday night as in-state rivals Dakota Wesleyan University and Dakota State University went head-to-head for the first college football game in South Dakota.
The Trojan offense outlasted the Tigers in front of nearly 3,500 fans by the final of 56-39 in Madison.
DWU punched in the first touchdown of the game on a 10-yard scamper by Luke Loudenburg (Howard, S.D.) to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead. The lead was short lived as the Trojans scored exactly three minutes later.
Heading into the second quarter, both teams flexed their offensive muscles, but it was DSU that took a 28-21 advantage heading into the locker room.
The Tigers picked up 14 points in the second quarter, thanks to a 16-yard run by senior quarterback Dillon Turner (Salem, Ark.) and a 56-yard run by Loudenburg for his second rushing touchdown of the game.
Down by seven heading into the second half, Turner found Jace Pulse (Kimball, S.D.) on an 80-yard touchdown pass. DWU was unable to convert on the point-after attempt, giving the Trojans a one-point lead. DSU went on to score two more times in the third quarter, but DWU had the last say in the quarter when Turner found Parker Evans (Chamberlain, S.D.) on a 10-yard out pass.
The Trojans held the Tigers to just one score in the fourth quarter with 11:18 to play in the game. Turner found Pulse again on an eight-yard pass. DWU tried for the two-point conversion, but failed as Turner's throw sailed wide of Hayden Adams (Villa Park, Ill.) in the corner of the end zone.
With 5:47 to play, the Trojans put the game out of reach after Hagan Hines scampered for a two-yard touchdown run.
DSU owned the time of possession, while tallying 642 yards of offense to the Tigers 515 yards.
For the Tigers, Turner was 19-of-27 passing for 292 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 11 rushes for 52 yards and a score.
Loudenburg tallied 147 yards on the ground on 10 carries for two touchdowns, while Pulse had seven receptions for 132 yards and two scores. Freshman Spence Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D.) caught five passes for 52 yards and five kickoff returns for 85 yards.
Defensively, Dillon Rork (Grand Island, Neb.) recorded 14 tackles and one TFL. Tyler Wagner (Webster, S.D.), Trey DeCrook (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Brandon Slama (Chaska, Minn.) added 10 tackles apiece.
DWU (0-1) is back in action in the KCAC/GPAC Challenge against the University of Saint Mary at 6 p.m. on Sept. 2 in Leavenworth, Kan.
