DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Nebraska Wesleyan football team dropped a hard-fought American Rivers Conference contest to the University of Dubuque Spartans 21-10 on Saturday afternoon at Chalmers Field. Despite outgaining the Spartans in total yardage and Joey McLaughlin setting a new school record for receptions, the Prairie Wolves couldn't overcome a second-half pick-six that shifted momentum in the homecoming matchup for Dubuque.

Nebraska Wesleyan (1-4, 1-2 A-R-C) amassed 378 total yards of offense compared to Dubuque's 236, including a dominant 126-yard rushing performance from fifth year running back Trystin Myers. Junior quarterback Connor White completed 26 passes for a season-high 251 yards, with junior wide receiver Joey McLaughlin establishing a new school record with 13 receptions for 146 yards.

Defensively, the Prairie Wolves were stout throughout the contest, limiting Dubuque to just 76 rushing yards while recording three sacks and five pass breakups. Nebraska Wesleyan held the Spartans to just 3-of-13 on third down conversions and forced three three-and-outs in the first quarter alone.

Despite the statistical advantages, two critical turnovers—, ncluding an interception returned for a touchdown in the third quarter, proved costly for the Prairie Wolves as they fell to 1-4 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Nebraska Wesleyan wasted no time establishing their ground game, with Trystin Myers breaking free for a 46-yard run on the opening drive to set up first-and-goal at the Dubuque 10-yard line. On the next play, Ryan Stortenbecker caught a bubble screen and found the end zone for his first touchdown of the season, giving the Prairie Wolves a 7-0 lead with 11:27 remaining in the quarter.

The Prairie Wolves' defense set the tone early, forcing three consecutive three-and-outs from the Spartans' offense. Nebraska Wesleyan dominated time of possession in the opening frame, controlling the ball for over 10 minutes while establishing both their running and passing attacks.

Dubuque finally found offensive rhythm early in the second quarter, putting together their first scoring drive to tie the game at 7-7. The Spartans later mounted an impressive 19-play drive that consumed nearly eight minutes of clock, but the Prairie Wolves' defense held firm, forcing a missed field goal attempt to keep the score level.

With just 50 seconds remaining in the half, White orchestrated a masterful two-minute drill, connecting with McLaughlin for a 31-yard strike down the right sideline. The drive continued after McLaughlin drew two defensive pass interference penalties. White then found Stortenbecker and Samario Garcia on consecutive completions to move into field goal range. As time expired in the half, Jace Winkler converted a 47-yard field goal to give Nebraska Wesleyan a 10-7 lead heading into the locker room.

At halftime, White had accumulated 126 passing yards on 12 completions, with McLaughlin hauling in five receptions for 65 yards. Myers had already eclipsed the century mark with 108 rushing yards on nine carries, while the defense had limited Dubuque to just 151 total yards.

The momentum shifted dramatically on Nebraska Wesleyan's opening possession of the second half when White's pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, giving Dubuque a 14-10 lead they would not relinquish. The Prairie Wolves responded with a promising 12-play drive but turned the ball over on downs in Spartan territory.

Dubuque capitalized on the defensive stand, putting together their most effective offensive drive of the day and scoring their final touchdown with just five seconds remaining in the quarter to extend their lead to 21-10.

Despite continued defensive success in the final period, Nebraska Wesleyan couldn't find the end zone. The Prairie Wolves moved the ball effectively between the 20s but struggled in the red zone. McLaughlin continued his record-setting day, surpassing the school mark for receptions in a single game as White distributed the ball efficiently in the passing game.

The Prairie Wolves' defense continued to play well, limiting Dubuque to minimal offensive production in the fourth quarter, but the 11-point deficit proved too much to overcome as time expired.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Joey McLaughlin – Set a new school record with 13 receptions for 146 yards, averaging 11.2 yards per catch
• Connor White – Completed 26 passes for a season-high 251 yards and engineered an impressive two-minute drill before halftime
• Trystin Myers – Rushed for 126 yards on 15 carries, including a 46-yard burst that set up the team's lone touchdown
• Ryan Stortenbecker – Scored his first touchdown of the season on a bubble screen and added a key receptions in the two-minute drill before halftime
• Jace Winkler – Connected on a 47-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, his longest of the season
• Defensive Unit – Held Dubuque to just 236 total yards (76 rushing), recorded three sacks, five pass breakups, and limited the Spartans to 3-of-13 on third down conversions

UP NEXT

Nebraska Wesleyan returns home to host Loras College for the annual Homecoming game on Saturday, October 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Abel Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, as the Prairie Wolves look to improve their conference record against the Duhawks.