Lincoln, NE - Coach Brian Keller concluded an illustrious 30 year run as the head coach of Nebraska Wesleyan football with a heartbreaking last minute loss to Simpson College.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: Simpson started hot on both sides of the ball, forcing two NWU punts and scoring touchdowns on their first two series. Nebraska Wesleyan finally got rolling offensively with a 10 play 48 yard drive, but failed to convert a fourth down. However, the Prairie Wolf defense rose to the occasion, forcing a quick three and out. From there the Black and Gold went to work, cruising down the field on a nine play 63 yard drive, which was capped with a six yard Trystin Myers touchdown run. After a missed extra point Simpson maintained a 14-6 lead. The Prairie Wolves continued to play well on defense, forcing a second consecutive three and out. The Prairie Wolves again moved quickly down the field, marching 65 yards in eight plays and scoring on an eight yard Keaton Erdmann touchdown run. On the second play of Simpson's next possession, Julius German picked off Jayden Thoreson to set NWU up at the Simpson 46. NWU would go on to put on their ensuing possession. The Storm went back to work offensively, driving to the NWU 40 before Caiden Rose claimed NWU's second interception of the day. The Prairie Wolves would go on to run out the remainder of the first half. 
Second Half: After forcing a Simpson punt, Nebraska Wesleyan marched down the field on a 14 play, 80 yard drive, and claimed its first lead of the day on a six yard pass from Connor White to Joey McLaughlin. NWU would fail to convert the two point conversion and the score stayed at 19-14. Neither team managed to score on the next four possessions, before Simpson reclaimed a 20-19 lead with just under 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Nebraska Wesleyan would turn the ball over on downs on its next possession and Simpson took over at the NWU 45. The Prairie Wolf defense stood its ground and forced the Storm to turn the ball over on downs with 5:53 to play. Nebraska Wesleyan would drive down to the Simpson 28 yard line, where Jace Winkler connected on a 45 yard field goal to give Nebraska Wesleyan a 22-20 lead. The Storm would come right back with a 10 play 68 yard drive and retake a 23-22 lead on a 25 yard field goal. The Storm would prevent NWU from scoring on their final possession and claim a season ending 23-22 win.

TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: NWU 19 | SC 17
Total Offense: NWU 317 | SC 318
Passing Yards: NWU 232 | SC 154
Rushing Yards: NWU 85 | SC 164
3rd Down Conversions: NWU 3-13 | SC 4-11
4th Down Conversions: NWU 1-3 | SC 0-2
Possession Time: NWU 38:24 | SC 21:36
Sacks- Yards: NWU 1-3 | SC 4-33

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Connor White: 20-31, 232 yds, 1 TD
Trystin Myers: 25 att, 89 yds, 3.6 ypc, 1 TD
Joey McLaughlin: 8 rec, 127 yds, 1 TD
Jian Aguilar: 7 tackles
Hunter Hanke: 7 tackles
Caiden Rose: 3 tackles, 1 INT
Julius German: 1 tackle, 1 INT

COACH KELLER
Coach Brian Keller concluded his career with a program leading 133 wins. His legacy will forever loom large in Nebraska Wesleyan athletics. During his 30 seasons as head coach, Keller helped NWU transition from NAIA to Division III and his players accounted for 33 Academic All-America honors and 10 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships and winning the GPAC in 2000.  Read Full Article