FREMONT, Neb. – The Dakota Wesleyan football team rallied in the fourth quarter to get into position for their first win of the season, but saw a potential game-winning field goal misfire in the final seconds as they fell to Midland 21-20 on Saturday September 28th in Fremont, Nebraska.
Both offenses struggled in the first half as the two teams combined for 5 punts and a turnover on downs to start the game. The Tigers opened up the scoring late in the second quarter on a 40-yard field goal by Jaxon Patrick to give Dakota Wesleyan a 3-0 lead with 3:30 left before halftime. Midland would answer on their next possession as QB Teryn Berry threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Adams, Jr. with just :10 left in the half to give the Warriors a 7-3 halftime lead.
After the two teams traded punts to start the second half, the Tigers would get back on the scoreboard on another Patrick field goal from 20 yards out to trim the Warriors lead to 7-6 with 2:59 left in the third quarter.
Midland opened up the 4th quarter extending their lead on a 6-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off by Berry's second touchdown pass of the game, a 35-yard strike to Tae Marks with 12:08 left in the game. The Tigers responded with their own scoring drive as they reached the endzone for the first time in the game on a 28-yard Koby Kayser touchdown run with 9:04 left in the 4th quarter which made the Warriors lead 14-12 as the two-point conversion failed. After a Midland punt, Dakota Wesleyan would reclaim the lead at 20-14 as QB Carter Robinson scored on a 28-yard touchdown run to finish off a 4-play, 57-yard drive with 5:40 left in the game. The Warriors again answered the Tigers scoring drive with a 5-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard Tyson Denkert touchdown run as Midland took the lead back at 21-20 with just 3:13 left to play. Dakota Wesleyan's following drive would come up just short as they drove down to the Midland 16-yard line, but saw Jaxon Patrick's 33-yard field goal attempt miss the target in the final seconds to seal the win for the Warriors.
Statistically, the Tigers had the advantage in several categories as they outgained the Warriors 317-305 in total offense, won the turnover battle 1-0, and had the edge in time of possession 32:52 – 27:08.
The Tigers were led by QB Carter Robinson who was 13-23 for 144 yards, while Warriors QB Teryn Berry was 11-25 for 165 yards and two touchdowns on the day. Koby Kayser led the Tigers on the ground with 16 rushes for 91 yards and 1 touchdown, while Tyson Denkert had 138 yards on 26 carries and 1 touchdown.
Looking Ahead-
The Tigers will be back in Nebraska next Saturday to take on the Hastings Broncos in more GPAC action.