MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dordt Defenders showed why they are the #4 ranked team in the NAIA as they jumped out to a fast start, effectively ran the football throughout the game, and played very stingy defense on their way to a dominant 42-7 win over the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers at Joe Quintal Field.
The Defenders jumped out to a very fast start as they scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, including a 75-yard run by Daniel Dickerson on their first offensive play with 11:07 to go in the first quarter. Dickerson would score again on their second possession on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Dordt QB, Kolson Kruse, to cap off a 7-play, 52-yard drive with 5:52 left in the opening quarter. After another Dakota Wesleyan punt, the Defenders struck one more time in the first quarter as Kruse found Eliot Beal on a 17-yard touchdown connection to finish off a 4-play, 66-yard drive with 1:19 to go.
As the Tigers' defense settled in, the offense came to life in the second quarter when QB Carter Robinson threw his lone touchdown pass of the day to Cole Holden from 4 yards out to get Dakota Wesleyan on the board with 5:51 to go in the first half, their best drive of the day covering 77 yards in 7 plays. Dordt responded just before halftime as Dickerson found the endzone for the third time on a 2-yard run with :32 left in the second quarter to give the Defenders a comfortable 28-7 lead at the break.
Dakota Wesleyan's defense was much more effective in the third quarter as they forced three Dordt punts, but the Tigers offense was unable to take advantage as they were also held scoreless and forced to punt on each possession. The Defenders offense would regain their form in the fourth quarter as Kolson Kruse added a 6-yard touchdown run at the end of an 80-yard drive and Cody Boender scored on a 20-yard run late in the quarter to seal the win for Dordt 42-7.
Dordt outgained Dakota Wesleyan 424-212 in total yardage on the afternoon, led by Daniel Dickerson, who had 139 total yards rushing and receiving and 3 touchdowns. Carter Robinson led the Tigers with 155 yards passing, 31 yards rushing, and 1 touchdown pass.
Dordt improved to 6-0 on the season, while Dakota Wesleyan fell to 2-5.
Looking Ahead-
The Tigers will be at Northwestern next Saturday, October 26th and will take the field at 1p.m.