LINCOLN, Neb. (APRIL 10, 2021) - The Nebraska Wesleyan football team made its return to the turf of Abel Stadium for its first official game since November 16, 2019, due to the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic. NWU (0-1, 0-1 A-R-C) fell to Central College (2-0, 2-0 A-R-C) 37-19.

The Prairie Wolves long-awaited return to the gridiron started off with a bang. On the opening drive of the game, Nebraska Wesleyan marched down the field for a 14 play, 75-yard scoring drive. Carter Terry completed 10 passes on the drive, capped with a 20-yard scoring strike to Alex Mathis in the end zone for the score. Central blocked the extra point try and returned it for a score to make it 6-2, just under 7 and half minutes into the game.

The Dutch answered back with their own 10 play scoring drive that covered 74 yards. Central forced the Prairie Wolves to go three and out before adding another score with just 13 seconds left in the quarter. 

After both defenses forced punts in the second quarter, Nebraska Wesleyan made it a one-possession game with seven minutes to go. Mathis broke free into the secondary and Terry connected with him for a 40-yard touchdown pass, the duos second on the afternoon. NWU's defense held Central out of the end zone the rest of the half.

Central started the second half by driving the length of the field but Nebraska Wesleyan's defense stood tough as Dakota Prorok recovered a Dutch goal line fumble in the end zone. However, NWU couldn't maintain the momentum and was forced to punt. Central answered back with a touchdown the next drive and then scores again on two other third-quarter drives. 

In the fourth quarter, the teams traded punts much of the quarter until a late score by the Prairie Wolves. Terry tossed his third touchdown pass of the game on a 10-yard strike in the back of the end zone to Kevin Tims with just 26 seconds left. 

Stat Leaders
Carter Terry led Nebraska Wesleyan as he threw for a game-high 248 yards with 27 completions on 50 attempts. Alex Mathis hauled in four receptions for 78 yards and Kevin Tims made eight catches for 44 yards, the two receivers combined for three touchdowns. Adam Cooper had 27 rushing yards on 29 carries. Defensively, Kaden Dawe had 10 tackles with six solo stops and a forced fumble. Caleb Kyes had a tackle-for-loss along with eight tackles.

What's Next
Nebraska Wesleyan travels to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for its final game in the spring season. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.