Chargers take advantage of DWU turnovers: Tigers lose three straight to fall to 3-7
Oct. 31—SIOUX CENTER, Iowa. — The Dakota Wesleyan football team lost its third straight game in a 20-14 loss to Briar Cliff on Saturday.
The Tigers (3-7, 3-6 GPAC) allowed 17 unanswered points to the Chargers in the first three quarters. Before the fourth quarter, DWU punted the ball twice, fumbled three times and came up short on two separate fourth down opportunities. As Dakota Wesleyan was struggling to find its footing offensively, Briar Cliff scored one rushing and one passing touchdown, along with a field goal to take a 17-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
To start the fourth quarter, DWU completed its six play drive with a one yard rushing touchdown from Jamin Arend to make the score 17-7. After a quick three-and-out by Briar Cliff in a matter of two minutes and 19 seconds, DWU was driving down the field again. Cayden Cunningham, starting in place of the injured Kiel Nelson, connected with Jakob Oxos on a 30 yard touchdown pass, bringing the Briar Cliff lead to just three points. After a 13 play drive by the Chargers and a Jonathan Branner 22 yard field goal, Briar Cliff had a 20-14 lead with 2:44 left on the clock.
With just over two minutes in regulation, Cunningham was driving the Tigers down field. He completed four passes for three first downs and drove DWU to the Briar Cliff 18-yard line before ultimately throwing an interception to end the game.
Cunningham went 11 of 25 passing for 138 yards and one touchdown. Arend had 19 carries out of the backfield for 117 yards and one touchdown. Garret Mandolfo had six carries for 26 yards while Keegan Zdybel had 24 yards on four rush attempts. Preston Nedved had two receptions for 37 yards while Oxos had one lone catch which was a 30 yard touchdown completion.
Cody Reichelt led the defense with six tackles and one sack. Samuel Kretschmar also had six tackles while Zdybel and Hunter Cordell had five tackles each.
For the Chargers, Luke Davies completed 17 of 33 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown. Tim Brown had two carries for 36 yards, along with eight receptions for 119 yards and caught the one touchdown from Davies. Brett Tinker led the defense with eight tackles.
DWU is at home for its remaining two games of the regular season, as they host Jamestown on Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. and Morningside on Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.
Other GPAC games this weekend:
No. 2 Northwestern 63, No. 20 Dordt 28
No. 3 Morningside 70, Jamestown 7
Hastings 28, Mount Marty 21
Doane 24, Midland 13
