LINCOLN, Neb. (Aug. 28, 2023) - After much anticipation, the 2023 football season is here. On Saturday, the Prairie Wolves travel to Sherman, Texas to play Austin College in what will be the 15th meeting between the two schools. In their previous 14 matchups, the Prairie Wolves and Roos have each won seven times.
GAME INFORMATION, LIVE STREAM & LIVE STATS
Kickoff will be at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 2nd, from Jerry E. Apple Stadium in Sherman, Texas.
The game will be live-streamed on College TV Ticket.
Live stats will be provided by Austin College.
MEET THE HEAD COACHES
Brian Keller will enter his 28th season as the head coach at Nebraska Wesleyan. He has compiled a record of 125-128.
Tony Joe White will enter his first season as the head coach at Austin College. Prior to being hired at Austin College, White was the head coach at Birmingham-Southern College where he compiled a 35-21 record in six seasons.
WHEN NEBRASKA WESLEYAN HAS THE BALL
The Prairie Wolves offense returns many key starters from last season and will look to get off to a fast start. Quarterback Carter Terry is back for his fifth year. He enters the season ranked 10th among active Division III quarterbacks in career passing yards with 5,300. Last season, Terry threw for 2,287 yards, with 15 passing touchdowns on a 49% completion percentage. His numbers helped him earn second-team All-Conference honors. Joining Terry in the backfield is senior running back Trystin Myers. Last season, Myers led the team in rushing with 741 yards. He also scored a team-high six rushing touchdowns. Myers figures to lead a strong running back room in 2023. Nebraska Wesleyan also returns their top pass catcher from last season, junior receiver Cole Siems. Last season, Siems hauled in 30 receptions for 667 yards and five touchdowns.
WHEN NEBRASKA WESLEYAN IS ON DEFENSE
New defensive coordinator William Lawrence inherits a solid group of returners on defense. The Prairie Wolves will be spearheaded by senior linebacker Max Brinker. Last season, Brinker finished second on the team in solo tackles with 35 while assisting in 38 more to finish the year with 73 total tackles. Brinker also picked off one pass and looks to have a breakout senior season. Fellow linebacker Caleb Kyes joins Brinker in leading the defense. Last year Kyes finished with 33 solo tackles and 29 assisted tackles, to finish with 62 total tackles. Kyes also has one fumble recovery.
NEBRASKA WESLEYAN KICKING GAME
Jacob Martinez will be the starting long snapper. Jahrran Paces will be the holder. Henry Walter will be the starting kicker. Max Brinker will punt. Victor Guzman will return punts and Anthony Carpenter will return kickoffs.
WHEN AUSTIN COLLEGE HAS THE BALL
Last season, Austin College was primarily a running team with 1,821 of their 2,154 yards of total offense coming on the ground. The Roos used a committee system at running back last season as four players received at least 40 carries. They were led by Ben Meraz who totaled 534 yards on 143 carries while scoring six touchdowns. When the Roos do pass, they return quarterback Peyton Keily who accounted for 153 passing yards and threw Austin's two passing touchdowns last season. Freshman quarterback Jaylon Talton may also play significant minutes. Grant Yudizky caught one of those touchdowns and returns as the leading receiver from a year ago with eight receptions for 176 yards.
WHEN AUSTIN COLLEGE IS ON DEFENSE
Defensively, the Roos return Linebacker Brady Dygert who led the team with 89 total tackles last season. Dygert also forced one fumble and had two fumble recoveries. The Roos also return talented defensive backs Jeremiah Contreras and Jarrett Pleasant. Last year Contreras picked off two passes and had four pass breakups. Pleasant had one interception and eight pass breakups.
AUSTIN COLLEGE KICKING GAME
Caleb Williams will be the starting long snapper. Tim Gauthier will be the holder. John Aldridge will handle both kicking and punting duties. Colin Mushinski will return both kick-off and punt returns.
