DWU hits the road for second-straight week

MITCHELL, S.D. - The Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers hit the road for a second consecutive week as they head to Fremont, Nebraska for a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup against the Midland University Warriors. The Tigers look to capture their first conference win of the season, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. tomorrow.

 The Tigers fell just short last week, losing 24-17. The Bulldogs held a 10-3 lead heading into the half and extended that lead to 17-3 in the opening minutes of the second half. DWU responded with a touchdown drive to cut the deficit to 17-10. Concordia pushed their lead to 24-10 early in the fourth quarter, and after eight scoreless minutes from both sides, the Tigers made it 24-17. Dakota Wesleyan had a chance to push the game to overtime, but could not recover the onside kick, as the Bulldogs held on for the victory.

 DWU traveled to Fremont, Nebraska last year, as they fell to the Warriors in a back and forth battle, 21-14. The Tigers jumped out to a 7-0 lead last year, but Midland responded with two-straight scores resulting in a 14-7 Warrior lead to end the first quarter.

 In the second quarter, the Warriors found the end zone again to take a 21-7 lead heading into halftime. The DWU defense held strong in the opening moments of the third quarter as they forced two turnovers in the first three Midland drives. After a Tiger turnover, the Warriors fumbled the ball and DWU returned the fumble to the Midland six yard line, where Luke Loudenburg (Canova, S.D.) punched the ball into the end zone to make it a 21-14 ballgame.

 In the beginning moments of the fourth quarter, Eathen Gaulke (Kimball, S.D.) forced a fumble that was recovered at the DWU 19 yard line. On the ensuing possession, the Tigers drove to the Warrior two yard line, where DWU was stopped. However, following three Midland run plays and three DWU timeouts, the Tigers were poised to have one more chance to tie the game. But the Warriors converted on a fourth-down attempt to seal the Tigers' fate, and come away with the victory.

 Offensively for the Tigers, Loudenburg rushed for 108 rushing yards on 24 attempts and a touchdown. Defensively, Tyler Wagner (Webster, S.D.) recorded 12 total tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. Gaulke added nine tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. 

 About the Series 

 The Tigers currently trail the all-time series against the Warriors, 15-17. DWU last defeated Midland during the 2017-18 season by a score of 55-21 at Joe Quintal Field. 

 About the Coaches 

 Ross Cimpl is in his eighth season with the Tigers. In 2013, Cimpl was honored as the GPAC Coach-of-the-Year, as well as the AFCA Region 4 Coach-of-the-Year.

 Jeff Jamrog is in his fourth season as the Midland head coach. Jamrog has revitalized a program that won just one game the year before his arrival. Since taking over, Jamrog holds a 20-13 record entering this season. 

 About the Warriors 

 The Warriors come into Saturday's game yielding a 2-4 overall record, and a 1-3 GPAC record. Midland played No. 6 Northwestern tough, resulting in a one-point loss in the second week of the season. MU also has played No. 1 Morningside, falling 51-29 one week later. Last week, Midland defeated Hastings 61-20. Midland ranks third in the conference in both scoring offense per game (35.7), as well as total offense per game (432). The Warriors also rank third in the conference for rushing yards per game (200.5).

 Individually, quarterback Noah Oswald ranks fifth in the GPAC in total offense per game (155.2). Garry Cannon leads the ground attack as he currently sits at fourth for rushing yards per game in the GPAC (81.2). Defensively, linebacker Trevor Havlovic is fourth in the conference for tackles per game (8.3). He also sits in fourth place in the GPAC for sacks per game (0.7).