Turnovers lead to Tiger loss

MT. PLEASANT — Iowa Wesleyan football played host to Dickinson State University on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers put together a great defensive outing, but struggled to keep possession of the ball on offense. Iowa Wesleyan finished with six total turnovers, four interceptions and two fumbles in the 23-0 loss to the Blue Hawks.

Dickinson wasted no time to score in the weekend matchup. The Blue Hawks received the first kickoff and went 82 yards down the field in 12 plays for an early 7-0 lead.

After a pair of punts between the two teams, Iowa Wesleyan got into scoring position. After getting the ball back at their own 20-yard line, the Tiger marched 69 yards to the Dickinson 11.

The Tigers’ Zach Chevalier dropped back in the pocket, and attempted to put the ball into the back of the end zone for six, but was picked off instead.

Dickinson found pay dirt once again after going 80 yards and scoring on a 57-yard touchdown pass from Aaron White to Isaiah Kludt. The score gave the Blue Hawks a 14-0 advantage.

Iowa Wesleyan was forced to punt the ball away on their ensuing drive, but made a big stop defensively forcing the Blue Hawks to turn the ball over on downs after a fourth down stop.

Two plays later for the Tigers, and Chevalier was picked off for the second time, setting great field position for Dickinson at the Tigers 23-yard line.

The Tiger defense didn’t break.

Dickinson threw the ball three times, but couldn’t connect on any of the attempts and had to settle for a 40-yard field goal to make it a 17-0 ballgame midway through the second quarter.

Neither team could keep a hold of the ball on the next three possessions.

The Tigers fumbled the ball away on their next drive and the Blue Hawks gave it right back on an tipped interception by Jeremiah Pauling.

Turnovers continued to pile up for Iowa Wesleyan as they fumbled yet again on the following drive.

Once again, the Tigers defense stood tall, forcing the Blue Hawks to punt.

With just over a minute to go, the Tigers built some momentum, connecting on a 22-yard pitch and catch to Damian Tanelus.

What momentum the Tigers had was thwarted two plays later, as Chevalier was picked off at the 47-yard line and was returned down to the Tiger’s 11.

With just 23 seconds on the clock, Iowa Wesleyan hunkered down and limited Dickinson to just three points once again. The field goal gave the Blue Hawks a 20-0 lead on the Tigers.

Coming out of the half, Iowa Wesleyan got the ball to start.

The Tigers put together a nice drive, going 46 yards to the Dickinson State 29-yard line, but on a 4th and 10 try, they could not convert.

Both team punted the ball away on the next two drives, but it would be the Blue Hawks scoring again.

After the Tigers were forced to punt, a face mask gave the Blue Hawks solid field position in Tiger territory.

Dickinson would get down to the Iowa Wesleyan 12, but would settle for a 28-yard field goal for the final score of the game.

The ensuing drive for Iowa Wesleyan was its best of the game.

The Tigers drove the field all the way down to the Blue Hawks two-yard line. Iowa Wesleyan couldn’t punch it in though as on 4th and goal to go, Chevalier was sacked for a seven-yard loss.

Iowa Wesleyan got the ball back on the very next play on a Blue Hawk fumble, but once again Chevalier was intercepted on the Tigers third play of the drive.

Neither team would find another score as the Tigers were forced to punt four times the rest of the way out and turned the ball over on fourth down in their last chance to score.

The Tigers fall to 3-4 on the season and 1-1 in North Star action. Zach Chevalier led the Tigers passing attack with 14 completions of 28 attempts for 207 yards and 4 interceptions. Askia Moses led the Tiger rushing attack with 14 carries for 28 yards. Terrell Holt led the Tigers with four receptions for 64 yards in the air. Major Niccum finished with 14 tackles, six of which were solo tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup. Jeremiah Pauling finished with 12 tackles, seven of which were solo tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and an interception.

The Tigers will look to bounce back next week as they travel to Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota on October 15. Kickoff at 1 p.m.