Lincoln, NE - Nebraska Wesleyan football will hit the road to take on the #15 ranked Central Dutch this weekend

GAME TIME, LOCATION, LIVE STREAM & LIVE STATS
Kick off for Saturday's game is set for 1:00 p.m. The game will be played at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium, in Pella, Iowa. Central will live stream the game and carry live stats.

SCOUTING NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
Team: Nebraska Wesleyan enters Saturday on the back of a disappointing 31-28 loss to Loras on Wesleyan Weekend. Despite the loss, NWU played well, with Connor White throwing for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Hunter Hanke finished with 10 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble. As a team, Nebraska Wesleyan averages 19.33 points per game, and allows 29.67 points per game. The Prairie Wolves average 329 yards per game, with 211 coming through the air, and 118 being on the ground. The Black and Gold allow 329.8 yards per game. Overall, Nebraska Wesleyan has gained and given up 119 first downs. The Prairie Wolves make ball control a focus, and hold a 33:13 to 26:47 advantage in average time of possession. 

Offense: The Prairie Wolves are quarterbacked by Connor White, who has thrown for 972 yards and six touchdowns through six games. White holds a completion percentage of 60.87 and has thrown five interceptions. White does a phenomenal job getting the ball to multiple receivers with Joey McLaughlin, Corbin Horner, Trystin Myers, and Jaheim Felder each recording 12 or more receptions. White's favorite target has been Joey McLaughlin, who has caught seven touchdown passes and averages 13.71 yards per catch. In the ground game, Trystin Myers has started to roll, rushing for 491 yards on 82 carries, and scoring three touchdowns. The Prairie Wolves will need each element of their offense to be in high gear as the team looks to score on a talent Central defense.

Defense: Nebraska Wesleyan is led by Hunter Hanke on defense, who has recorded a team best 45 tackles, while forcing three fumbles and notching five sacks. In the middle of the field, Carlos Portier is having an exceptional freshman campaign, posting 40 tackles, recording three sacks and forcing and recovering one fumble. In the secondary, defensive backs Antonio Martinez, Kelby Zimmerman, and Darrius Paige have each recorded one interception. 

Special Teams: In the kicking game, Jace Winkler is 3-7 on field goal attempts, with a long of 44. Winkler also doubles as NWU's punter, averaging 38.29 yards per punt, with a long of 68 yards.

HONORING HANKE
For his effort against Loras, Hunter Hanke was named to the D3Football.com team of the week. The weekly award recognizes the best player at each position in Division III football. Against the Duhawks, Hanke made 10 tackles, with five being tackles for loss and also recorded three sacks. Additionally, Hanke set the Prairie Wolf offense up deep in Loras territory with a third quarter strip sack. Hanke is the second Nebraska Wesleyan athlete to receive this award since Shaka Taylor in 2017.

RANKED OPPONENTS
Nebraska Wesleyan's next two games mark the meat of the schedule with a trip to #15th ranked Central and a home game against #8th ranked Wartburg. 

HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLER
Coach Brian Keller is in his 30th season at the helm of Nebraska Wesleyan football in 2025, continuing a legendary run as the winningest coach in program history. A Nebraska Wesleyan graduate and former player, Keller has led his alma mater since 1996, compiling a career record of 133-155. 

SCOUTING CENTRAL COLLEGE
Central enters this week 5-0, after a 45-27 victory over Loras on October 4th. The Dutch run an efficient offense that averages 36 points and 422.4 yards per game. Defensively, Central gives up 17.40 points per game. The Dutch are led by Jeff McMartin, in his 22nd season. 

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST CENTRAL COLLEGE
Saturday will mark the 14th meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Central. The Prairie Wolves are 0-13 against the Dutch.