DWU place-kicker Joel Kruse converted a 36-yard field goal with 9:45 left to play to give the host Tigers a 13-10 win over #18 Northwestern Saturday afternoon in Mitchell, S.D. The loss ends the Raiders season with a 7-3 record for the second straight year.
Northwestern opened the game with an impressive 15-play drive that took over eight minutes off the clock, capped by one-yard run by Kevin Vander Schaaf on fourth-and-goal,
giving NWC a 7-0 lead. Dakota Wesleyan answered back on its first possession with a 23-yard field goal by Nick Garcia, capping a 10-play, 47-yard drive.
After a DWU interception, the Tigers marched 48 yards on five plays and grabbed a 10-7 lead on a four-yard run by Josh Endres. Both defenses took over the rest of the half, forcing five punts and the Raider D came up with the next big play as Austin Rozeboom intercepted a Jon Doom pass to stall a DWU drive. Northwestern responded with a 13-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a 25-yard field goal by Ben Rasefske just before the half to tie the game at 10.
Both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter but DWU broke the 10-10 tie with Kruse's game-winning 36-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Northwestern's offense was forced to punt on the next possession but the Raider D forced another turnover when Austin Rozeboom forced a DWU fumble, recovered by Nate Fischer. The Raiders took over at the 50-yard line and marched 41 yards to the DWU nine-yard line but the Raiders came up empty after Rasefske missed a 26-yard field goal to the left. Dakota Wesleyan took over and converted a first down and ran out the clock to win, 13-10.
Northwestern managed 16 first downs and 287 yards of offense, compared to 14 first downs and 339 yards of offense for DWU.The Raiders rushed for 158 yards on 48 carries, led by Taylor Malm with 60 yards. Kevin Vander Schaaf carried the ball 13 times for 58 yards and a score. Brad Payne completed 11-of-21 passes for 129 yards while Reed Van Hulzen returned to action and led the way with three catches for 34 yards. Kyle DeBoer and Malm added three catches each.
Defensively, Austin Rozeboom registered seven tackles, forced a fumble and recorded an interception. Grant Hegstad recorded 7.5 tackles, two for a loss, and Caleb Van Otterloo had six tackles and defended two passes.
Northwestern ends the season with a 7-3 record.
2010 Media Guide
