Box Score Nebraska Wesleyan jumped out to a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but top-ranked Morningside College scored 48 unanswered points as they defeated the Prairie Wolves 48-10 in the GPAC football opener on Saturday night (Sept. 14) in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Mustangs proved why they were the top ranked team in the NAIA as they rolled up 611 total yards against the tough NWU defense, the first time since 2005 that NWU has allowed over 500 yards.On defense, #1 Morningside was just as tough as they limited the Prairie Wolves to only 158 yards, and just 67 at the end of the 3rd quarter. NWU managed just two rushing yards.

NWU got two first quarter interceptions by Phil Latimer and Seth Wardyn. Wardyn's interception put the Prairie Wolves in Mustang territory setting up the first score of the game. Aaron Lorraine connected on a 33-yard field goal for his fourth FG of the season.

From there, the Mustang offense got on track scoring 28 points in the second quarter. The main culprit was the connection of Ryan Kasdorf to Kyle Schuck. Kasdorf hit Schuck 12 times for 202 yards, including three touchdowns as the Prairie Wolves had no answer for the combo.Kasdorf also had a touchdown pass to Joel McCabe as he finished 26-39 for 380 yards with four TDs. He also rushed nine times for 69 yards in his second career start at QB for the Mustangs.

It wasn't just the air game that the Mustangs succeeded at as they also compiled 231 yards on the ground. Brandon Wegher rushed 21 times for 90 yards and a TD, while Jon Halvorson had two touchdowns and 50 yards.

For Nebraska Wesleyan, they scored their first touchdown of the season on the final possesion of the game. Tyler Francis ran an option play and was hit at the 1-yard line where he fumbled the ball into the end zone. NWU fullback Nick Lovell pounced on the ball for the Prairie Wolves touchdown.

NWU finished with 156 total yards, with only two rushing yards after rushing for over 180 last week. Dustin Bryant ran 10 times for three yards a week after gaining 110.Tyler Francis finished 18-40 for 156 yards with no interceptions. Brooks Erhart and Justin Moerer each had three receptions to lead the Prairie Wolves.

Hunter Hand led the NWU defense with 9 tackles, while Eric Richards and Seth Wardyn each had eight tackles.