Lincoln, NE - Nebraska Wesleyan football didn't back down in a 34-10 loss to Wartburg, Saturday afternoon. The loss drops NWU to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in A-R-C play. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: Nebraska Wesleyan received the opening kick and marched 65 yards in 16 plays, but missed a 27 yard field goal. After taking over at their own 20, the Knights drove down to the NWU 36, where Hunter Hanke forced Wartburg's Leo Dodd to fumble. Terrell Davis would recover the fumble at set NWU up at the 42 yard line. However, NWU would be forced to punt on their ensuing possession, but the Knights blocked the punt and returned the ball to the NWU 19 yard line. The Knight's would immediately cash in on the red zone opportunity, as Dylan Swanstrom scored a 19 yard touchdown run to put the Knights ahead 7-0. Nebraska Wesleyan responded with a time consuming 15 play, nine minute, 18 second drive, which was capped off by a 28 yard Jace Winkler field goal. Neither team managed to score in the remainder of the first half as Wartburg took a 7-3 lead into the break. 

Second Half: Wartburg seemed to grab control of the game on the first drive of the second half, marching 61 yards in 10 plays and scoring on an eight yard touchdown pass to pull ahead 13-3. The Knights then forced a Nebraska Wesleyan punt and opened their second drive of the half at the NWU 43 yard line. However, the Nebraska Wesleyan defense stood tall as Juan Donoso sacked Leo Dodd and turned the Knights over on downs. However, the Prairie Wolves again had to punt and Wartburg returned the ball back to the NWU 20 yard line. It would take Wartburg just four plays to extend its lead to 20-3. From there, Wartburg would pull away, scoring touchdowns on their next two possessions to go ahead 34-3. Nebraska Wesleyan would add one final touchdown at the 1:51 mark, as Jase Guntle caught a three yard touchdown pass from Connor White, which made the score 34-10. 

TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: WC 20 | NWU 15
Total Offense: WC 301 | NWU 255
Passing Yards: WC 181 | NWU 186
Rushing Yards: WC 120 | NWU 69
3rd Down Conversions: WC 5-9 | NWU 5-14
4th Down Conversions: WC 2-3 | NWU 2-2
Possession Time: WC 24:45 | NWU 35:15
Sacks- Yards: WC 2-15 | NWU 2-7

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Connor White: 28-33, 186 yds, 1 td, 1 int, 
Trystin Myers: 22 attemps, 73 yds, 3.3 ypc
Joey McLaughling: 8 rec, 89 yds, 
Jase Guntle: 2 rec, 8 yds, 1 td
Juan Donoso: 10 tackles, 1.5 tfl, 1 sack
Hunter Hanke: 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble

UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan will play Buena Vista on Saturday, November 8th. Kick off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.