Box Score
Nebraska Wesleyan snapped its 13-game losing streak to Northwestern College in football as the Prairie Wolves upset the 17th-ranked Red Raiders 22-8 on Saturday (Sept. 28) in a key GPAC football contest played in Orange City, Iowa.
For NWU (2-2, 2-1 GPAC) it was the first time they defeated Northwestern since 1999, and just the second time ever they have defeated the Red Raiders in Orange City. The Red Raiders fall to 2-2 overall, 1-2 in GPAC play.
A dominant defensive performance and a strong rushing attack propelled the Prairie Wolves to the much needed victory on Saturday. The NWU defense held the Red Raiders to only 263 total yards (43 rushing), while the Prairie Wolves ran for 211 yards in the game.
It was a defensive battle in the first half as the only points of the half came on a 37-yard field goal by Aaron Lorraine on the Prairie Wolves opening drive of the game. Both teams got into the opponents territory, but Northwestern was held on downs, missed a field and turned the ball over the three times they got on the NWU side of the field.
On the opening drive of the second half, NWU marched 69 yards down the field and Tyler Francis found Connor Davis for an 8-yard TD reception to put the Prairie Wolves ahead 10-0. After forcing Northwestern on a quick three and out, the Prairie Wolves took over on their own 43 yard line.
NWU put together a methodical 14-play 57 yard scoring drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run from Dustin Bryant. The drive consumed 7:39 and had several key plays within the drive. A roughing the punter call kept the drive alive, then on a 4th & 6 play Francis hit Bryant for a 19-yard completion.
The Prairie Wolves defense recorded an interception on the next possession as Taylor Guenther intercepted a Davis Bloemendaal pass at the Red Raider 36-yard line. Aaron Lorraine attempted a 51-yard field goal but it was blocked to keep the score 16-0 early in the fourth quarter. However after attempting to return the field goal, Northwestern fumbled giving the ball back to the Prairie Wolves.
Bryant broke free for a career-long run of 49 yards to put the ball to the two yard line. From there, Joey Jones got into the end zone for his second touchdown of his career. The PAT attempt failed again making the score 22-0.
Northwestern did spoil the shutout as Bloemendaal found Brice Byker for a 20-yard TD pass with 0:49 remaining in the game. The 2-point conversion was good making the final 22-8.
Dustin Bryant topped his career high rushing total for the second straight week as he posted his third 100-yard game of the year. Bryant was the workhorse carrying the ball 28 times for 148 yards and a TD. Joey Jones also had over 20 carries with 21 attempts for 61 yards and a TD.
Tyler Francis had a solid performance under center going 16-25 for 144 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Connor Zumpfe led the NWU receivers with four catches for 43 yards.
Defensively, the Prairie Wolves limited All-GPAC running back Theo Bartman to 19 yards rushing. The Red Raiders had only 43 yards rushing on 24 attempts. Bloemendaal was 20-40 for 220 yards with 87 of those yards coming on the final drive.
The defensive line recorded 6.0 quarterback sacks for a loss of 49 yards. Phil Latimer had 2.5 for 17 and 3.5 tackles for loss, while Taylor TeKolste had a team-high eight tackles with 1.5 QB sacks.
With the victory, it sets the table for a big showdown with GPAC rival Doane College next Saturday night (Oct. 5) at 7 pm at Abel Stadium in Lincoln.
