Pella, IA - Nebraska Wesleyan battled tough against #15 Central College, Saturday afternoon, falling 34-13. With the loss Nebraska Wesleyan is now 1-6, and 1-4 in A-R-C play.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: Central started the game with a bang, returning the opening kick off back 89 yards to go ahead 7-0 just 12 seconds into the game. Nebraska Wesleyan would punt on its second possession, and Central embarked on a 10 play, 66 yard drive to go ahead 14-0 with under 10 minutes to play. Following the touchdown, both defenses started to step up, as the teams exchanged punts on their next few possessions, before Juan Donoso forced Central's Tate Jirovsky to fumble at the nine yard line. Carlos Porter scooped up the loose ball and returned it 34 yards to the 43. The Prairie Wolf offense capitalized on the turnover, marching 57 yards in eight plays and scoring on a 10 yard pass from Connor White to Joey McLaughlin. After the extra point was blocked, Central's lead sat at 14-6. Central responded with a quick 11 play, 72 yard touchdown drive to retake a double digit lead. The Dutch went on to force a punt on NWU's ensuing possession, before scoring on a 45 yard touchdown pass on the first play of their next drive to go ahead 27-6. Down but not out, Nebraska Wesleyan turned to Trystin Myers, who after being tackled for loss on first down, took the handoff and ran 76 yards to make the score 27-13. Central would get one more chance in the first half but after an 11 play, 58 yard drive, missed a 50 yard field goal. 

Second Half: Riding momentum from the end of the first half, Nebraska Wesleyan went to work on their first drive of the second half, driving 63 yards in 12 plays. Faced with a 4th and 10 On the 13th play of the drive, NWU elected to go for it, but failed to convert as Central took over on downs. The Prairie Wolf defense made a stand on Central's next possession, but a turnover on the following series set the Dutch up at NWU's 34 yard line. Central again used the big play to burn Nebraska Wesleyan's defense, going ahead 34-13 on a 35 yard touchdown pass. The teams traded punts on the next two possessions as Nebraska Wesleyan set up shop on their own 36 in the early stages of the fourth quarter. NWU again marched down the field, but failed to convert on fourth and seven as Central took over with just under 10 minutes to play. Central would go on to win the game 34-13. 

TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: CC 24 | NWU 17
Total Offense: CC 424 | NWU 350
Passing Yards: CC 255 | NWU 152
Rushing Yards: CC 169 | NWU 198
3rd Down Conversions: CC 8-15 | NWU 7-14
4th Down Conversions: CC 0-0 | 0-2
Possession Time: CC 30:32 | NWU 29:28
Sacks- Yards: CC 2-4 | NWU 3-15

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Connor White: 17-31, 152 yds, 1 TD
Trystin Myers: 19 att, 149 yds, 7.8 ypc, 1 TD
Joey McLaughlin: 8 rec, 102 yds, 1 TD
Jian Aguilar: 11 tackles, 3 solo, 8 assisted
Juan Donoso: 7 tackles. 4 solo, 3 assisted, 1 forced fumble
Antonio Martinez: 5 tackles, 2 solo, 3 assisted, 1 forced fumble
Carlos Porter: 8 tackles, 4 solo, 4 assisted, 1 fumble recovery

GAME NOTES
Joey McLaughlin posted his fourth straight game with 100 or more receiving yards.
Trystin Myers surpassed 2000 career rushing yards and now sits at seven on the all time rushing yards chart.
Nebraska Wesleyan rushed for a season high 198 yards. Saturday also marked NWU's third game with 150 or more rushing yards. 

UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan will host #8 Wartburg College on Saturday, November 1st. Kick off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.