MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University football team concludes its four-city early-season road show in Fremont, Neb. against Midland University at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The Tigers have started strong in 2015 and go into the matchup against the Warriors at 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference. DWU's play so far has earned the team a spot in the national rankings after being left out in the preseason. The Tigers check in at No. 22 in the latest NAIA Top-25 Coaches' Poll. Four teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference have a spot in the rankings, including No. 2 Morningside College, No. 9 Northwestern College and No. 14 Doane College.
DWU heads to Midland after rolling Briar Cliff University in the DakotaDome last weekend by a final of 55-14. The Tigers were paced by sophomore Dillion Turner (Salem, Ark.) as he connected with receiver
Hayden Adams on seven attempts for 209 yards and one touchdown.
Turner was named GPAC Offensive Player-of-the-Week after another stellar performance on the ground and through the air. The sophomore quarterback picked up 122 yards on the ground and passed for 317 yards, combining for five total touchdowns. Turner is averaging 248 yards passing per game and has completed 62 percent of his passes.
Against the Chargers, the Tigers picked up 612 yards of total offense while averaging 6.4 yards per play. Sophomore running back John Fabrizius (Casper, Wyo.) finished with his first career 100-yard rushing game, with 120 yards on 27 attempts and two touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, junior linebacker Adam Bormann (Stickney, S.D.) racked up seven total tackles and one tackle for loss, junior defensive end Brady Mudder (Garreston, S.D.) tallied two sacks and three tackles for loss.
The Tiger kicking game was also broke out against Briar Cliff. Senior Daniel Porter (Plattsmouth, Neb.) chipped in with two field goals, the first makes for the Tigers since 2013. Porter also made all seven PAT attempts, and added four punts for 137 yards. For his efforts, Porter was named GPAC Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.
DWU is near the top of the NAIA in several categories. The Tigers are fifth in total sacks (11), fifth in scoring offense (118 points), seventh in 3rd-down conversion (52.7 percent) and 10th in total rushing offense (573 yards).
Last year, DWU defeated the Warriors 42-21 at Joe Quintal Field, powered by a steady rushing attack from All-American Francois Barnaud, who rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Turner also completed 11 passes on 17 attempts, with three touchdowns.
Midland (0-3) has been off to a rough start in the 2015 season. The Warriors fell in their conference opener at Doane 31-10 and was the lone GPAC team to drop a game in the KCAC Challenge.
In the last three games, the Midland defense has allowed 483 yards per game and ranks eighth in the GPAC in pass defense per game, allowing 272 yards through the air. Troy Rodriguez leads the Warrior defense with 31 tackles.
On offense, Midland is ranked last in the GPAC in rushing yards, rushing for only 95 yards in three games. Deon Ransom has rushed for 45 yards and two touchdowns.
The Tigers and Warriors kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday in Fremont, Neb.