MITCHELL, S.D. – A quick start from the opening kickoff for the opposite sideline proved to be too much for the Dakota Wesleyan University football team as Midland University prevailed with a 50-14 defeat of DWU in Great Plains Athletic Conference action Saturday from Joe Quintal Field.
Tate Gale (Irene, S.D.) sent the opening kickoff sailing through the windy October day, as Dalton Tremayne of Midland took the kick 87 yards for a touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Spencer Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D.) had an answer as he returned the ball 82 yards to the Warrior four-yard line before being tackled.
The Tigers (1-4, 1-4 GPAC) were unable to capitalize on the positive field position, as Kiel Nelson (Mitchell, S.D.) threw an interception at the goal line.
The DWU defense held the Warriors (3-2, 3-2 GPAC) to a three-and-out following the interception. Nelson orchestrated the next offensive possession as he drove the Tiger offense 44 yards down to the Midland 16-yard line. However, the Tigers stalled and settled for a field-goal attempt. But the field goal was blocked as the Tigers remained scoreless after two drives.
On the next Tiger offensive possession, Midland forced a fumble and recovered at the DWU 45-yard line. The Warriors made quick work of the turnover as they scored in four plays to push their lead to 14-0 after the first quarter.
Three minutes into the second stanza, DWU looked to punt the ball away, but the ball sailed into the end zone as Gale fell on the ball for a safety. One play later, Midland added another touchdown to take a commanding 23-0 advantage.
With less than a minute to play in the opening half, Nelson connected with Neugebauer for an eight-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers on the scoreboard before halftime.
Midland took control of the second half as they put up 21 points, while DWU added one more touchdown off a Zachary Lester (Fairbanks, Alaska) pass to Garrett Determan (Watertown, S.D.), as the final score line read 50-14 in favor of Midland.
Nelson finished 22-of-46 for 208 yards passing and a touchdown toss, while his favorite target was Neugebauer who hauled in 10 catches for 85 yards and a score. Defensively, Samuel Kretschmar (Huron, S.D.) tallied seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, as Nate Rupprecht (Bennington, Neb.) recorded five tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
The Tigers hit the road to take on Morningside College at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa.
