SIOUX CENTER, IOWA -- Dordt College had two fourth quarter interceptions as they rallied back for a 24-20 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan University in GPAC football at Open Space Park in Sioux Center, Iowa.

For the Defenders, it was their first win over NWU and their first GPAC victory since 2008 as they snapped a 51-game losing streak in conference play.  Dordt had won just one previous conference game in their program history.

The loss comes at the end of an emotional week for the Prairie Wolves football team as NWU drops to 2-4 in GPAC, 2-5 overall heading into their bye week.

Nebraska Wesleyan trailed 17-7 at halftime Dordt scored 17 unanswered points in the first half.  NWU got on the board first as Brooks Erhart caught a 7-yard TD pass from Tyler Francis in the first quarter.

Dordt responded on their next drive as they got an 82-yard TD pass from Taylan Seaman to Jason Miller.  The Defenders added a 17-yard field goal and a 1-yard TD run right before halftime to lead 1-7 at the break.

NWU battled back as Connor Zumpfe caught a 15-yard TD pass from Francis to make the score 17-13 in the third quarter as the PAT was missed.

Early in the 4th quarter, NWU was held and forced to punt.  On the punt, Dordt fumbled the return and Brooks Erhart recovered the ball at the Dordt 10-yard line.  Three plays later, Francis threw his third TD pass of the game as he found Ryan Larsen for a 4-yard TD reception to put NWU ahead 20-17 and looking like they would escape with a victory.

Dordt marched 89 yards down the field in 10 plays using 6:20, capping the drive with a 21-yard TD run by Xavier Caffee around the end.  The TD put Dordt up 24-20 with 6:55 remaining.

Just like last week, NWU looked to mount a late fourth quarter comeback.  Two big passes to Prairie Wolves tight ends gave NWU the ball down to the Dordt 31-yard line.  On the next play, Francis was intercepted to end the threat.

NWU was able to get the ball back with 2:43 remaining but had no timeouts at their own 20-yard line.  On the first play, Francis was intercepted again to end the Prairie Wolves hopes and give Dordt a big victory on Defender Days.

Dordt put up 432 yards of total offense, one year after gaining just 100 yards last year against NWU.  The Defenders had 216 rushing yards on 51 carries, but the biggest difference was 216 pass yards on only eight completions for an average of 27 yards per catch.

Nebraska Wesleyan had 327 yards of total offense, 280 through the air and 47 on the ground.  Tyler Francis was 24-40 for 280 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.  With his 24 completions, Francis set a new NWU career record for completions.

Connor Zumpfe caught five passes for 79 yards with a touchdown, but was held under 100 yards for the first time since the opener.

Riley Shoemaker led the NWU defense with 10 total tackles and an interception.