Iowa Wesleyan grounded at Dakota State

MADISON, SD. — Iowa Wesleyan’s venture northwest to take on North Star opponent Dakota State didn’t go quite as well as the Tigers expected. An offense that was humming coming into the game was held to just one score in a 24-7 loss in a contest that served as a warm up game for the conference season, which begins next week.

The Tigers had outscored their opponents 96-6 in the last two contests, but Dakota State proved it was no slouch, beating the Tigers for the second-straight year. It was quite the improvement, however, for MD Daniels’ squad, which lost 53-15 at home against Dakota State last season.

It was a defensive struggle through one half of play, as the only score of the first two quarters came late in the first. Dakota State capped off a 41-yard drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown by running by Tyce Ortman. The PAT was good, and it was 7-0 after a quarter of play.

The Trojans had two more chances to put points up in the first half, but Iowa Wesleyan’s defense stayed strong. The Tigers stuffed the Trojans on 4th and goal from the 2 with 30 seconds left, and then after an ensuing interception inside the 20, a 34-yard Trojan field goal attempt sailed wide left to keep the score at 7-0.

Dakota State scored again late in the third, punching in a 3-yard rushing touchdown from running back Dylan Johnson after a 62-yard dash by Ortman set it up. The Trojans led the Tigers 14-0 after three.

Iowa Wesleyan’s offense finally started to click a bit in the fourth. Stafford Lewis flipped the field on a 32-yard run, plus a 15-yard penalty, which eventually set up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Parker Heidt. Lucas Mosqueda nailed the point after, and it was down to 14-7.

After a Dakota State field goal made it 17-7, Iowa Wesleyan had a shot to get it down even further, but the Tigers coughed the ball up at their own 37-yard line. Five plays later, Dakota State’s Cole Sylliaasen caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to put the nail in the coffin.

The Tiger running game led the offense as Askia Moses carried the ball 17 times for 73 yards. Stafford Lewis ran for 38.

Quarterback Zach Chevalier finished 9-for-16 for 47 yards and two interceptions. His favorite receiver was Jaden Harris, who caught four balls for 36 yards.

Jeremiah Paulin paced Iowa Wesleyan’s defense with 14 tackles on the day. Major Niccum tallied 11. Comal Phillips had seven tackles, including the team’s only sack.

The Tiger football team will have a chance at revenge when they host the same Dakota State team later in the year in an official North Star contest on Oct. 29.

Iowa Wesleyan goes into homecoming week with a 2-3 record. This Saturday’s game against Mayville State University (3-2) will be the first official conference game of the season. The Homecoming game kicks off at 1 p.m., on Saturday.