LINCOLN, Neb. -- Briar Cliff University came into Abel Stadium and spoiled Nebraska Wesleyan's Homecoming Festivities with a 23-7 victory over the Prairie Wolves on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Abel Stadium.

The Chargers led 9-0 at halftime on three made field goals then jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the third quarter.  NWU closed the gap to 16-7, but key conversions for the Chargers gave them just their second ever victory over Nebraska Wesleyan in football.

Angel Landeros attributed to all the scoring in the first half as he converted a 31-yard field goal in the opening quarter.  He later made another 31-yard field goal and a 22-yarder in the second quarter.

Briar Cliff marched down the field on the opening drive of the second half and got into the end zone for the first touchdown of the contest.  Quarterback Dylan Desmarais hit Kevin Van Egdom for a 19-yard TD pass to put the Chargers up 16-0.

NWU finally got their offense going later in the third quarter when they put together their best drive of the game.  A 14 play, 69-yard drive was finished with a 1-yard TD pass from Ben Green to Shaka Taylor on a 4th down play.  It was redemption for Taylor, who failed to hold on to a sure TD pass the play before.

Trying to get back into the game, the NWU defense stepped up and stopped the Chargers on 4th down as Hunter Hand hit the hand of the BCU quarterback giving the ball to the Prairie Wolves.

NWU managed just one first down and was forced to punt.  The next series was the key of the game as Briar Cliff converted two huge 3rd down conversions.  The first came on a 20-yard pass to Noah Ylagan on 3rd & 19 to get up near midfield.  The back breaker came later in the drive on 3rd & 11 as Desmarais scrambled and hit Fred Fields for a short gain as he outfought the NWU defender.  Not only did Fields make the catch, he broke out of a tackle and streaked 59 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

Briar Cliff had 440 yards of total offense, compared to just 233 for Nebraska Wesleyan.

Dylan Desmarais finished the game 21-35 for 302 yards with two touchdowns. Mitch Heikes ran the ball 29 times for 116 yards.

NWU was led by Ben Green who was 22-46 through the air for 141 yards with a TD and two interceptions.  Ryan Larsen and Ryan Schneider each caught six passes.  Brandon McGill led the Prairie Wolves defense with nine total tackles.