LINCOLN, Neb. –Nebraska Wesleyan totaled nearly 300 yards of offense, including nearly 200 passing yards, but Central scored on seven of its first 11 drives to earn a 44-11 win over the Prairie Wolves on Saturday afternoon at Abel Stadium.
The Prairie Wolves fell to 0-6 on the season, while the Dutch improved to 3-3.
Central scored on the opening play from scrimmage, as Cody Klein broke free for a 58-yard touchdown run.
After a Nebraska Wesleyan three-and-out and a short punt, the Dutch took over at their own 42-yard line. Central needed just five plays to cover 58 yards, capped by Gentry Dumont's 7-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0.
Nebraska Wesleyan got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter, capping a 73-yard scoring drive with an 18-yard double-pass from Ian Gebhardt to Stepeney Lee. Gebhardt received a screen pass before pulling up and throwing to Lee, who made the catch in the end zone. Casen added a two-point conversion on a quarterback power to send the Prairie Wolves into halftime trailing 24-8.
Nebraska Wesleyan opened the second half with a 12-play, 66-yard drive. Hezekiah Johnson rushed for 23 yards on the possession, but the Prairie Wolves stalled at the 9-yard line before Jace Winkler connected on a 26-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 24-11.
Klein answered for Central on the ensuing scoring drive, carrying the ball four consecutive times for 35 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown run. Nebraska Wesleyan stopped the Dutch on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, leaving Central with a 30-11 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Central added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter, finishing a drive into Nebraska Wesleyan territory with Dumont's 32-yard touchdown pass to Elam Parises on fourth down.
Tyler Gohen's strip sack at the Nebraska Wesleyan 49-yard line set up the Dutch for their final scoring drive. Central needed just two plays to reach the end zone, with Jase Grunder breaking free for a 47-yard touchdown run.
Freshman Hezekiah Johnson led Nebraska Wesleyan on the ground with 48 yards on nine carries. Keaton Erdman added 30 yards on three carries, while Kevin Prosser contributed six yards on two attempts.
Freshman Ian Gebhardt led the Prairie Wolves with eight receptions for 58 yards. He also threw the 18-yard touchdown pass to Lee in the second quarter.
Freshman Hadley Hudson led Nebraska Wesleyan with 13 tackles, reaching double figures for the fourth time this season. Senior Owen Long added 12 tackles, while Hudson also recorded a tackle for loss.
Junior Jace Winkler connected on his lone field-goal attempt, a 26-yarder in the third quarter, and averaged 33.8 yards on five punts.
Nebraska Wesleyan rushed for a season-high 88 yards on 24 attempts, its highest rushing total since recording 140 yards in a road loss at Buena Vista on Nov. 8, 2025.
The Prairie Wolves fell to 0-15 all-time against Central.
Nebraska Wesleyan continues its two-game homestand next weekend when it hosts American Rivers Conference rival Loras (2-4) during Wesleyan Weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Abel Stadium.
