MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan hosted the No. 15 Northwestern Red Raiders in its second home contest of the season at Joe Quintal Field.
The Tigers faced their highest-ranked challenge of the 2025 season so far as they hosted the Red Raiders in a conference contest. The game saw the Dakota Wesleyan defense have a strong showing towards the beginning of the contest as it was able to slow down the potent Northwestern offense. Grayson Hanson led the way for the defense with 11 total tackles, and would be supported by Brodey Ballinger and Joe VanOverschelde in the box, with both athletes contributing nine tackles each, along with 1.5 tackles-for-loss apiece.
The Tigers would hold the Red Raiders to 13 points in the first half, including two drives that would see Northwestern stall out in scoring territory. Even with the defense up to the challenge, the offense would still struggle to keep pace. Offensively, the Tigers struggled to sustain drives down the field, resulting in no points scored during the contest. Cole Holden led the receiving effort with three catches, including a long of 19 yards, while Koby Kayser saw action running and catching the football. Dakota Wesleyan would head into halftime trailing 13-0.
The defense continued to show out with Trevor Sladky recording his second interception of the season on Northwestern’s opening second-half drive. Sladky would also contribute 10 total tackles for the second-highest on the DWU defense. Carter Skogsberg would get consistent pressure on the QB, totaling nine tackles, a sack, and three tackles-for-loss, but the Northwestern offense would take advantage of its scrambling quarterback to get chunk plays as the game continued.
The Tigers would have more offensive opportunities snuffed out, and with the Red Raiders able to control the ball and time of possession, Dakota Wesleyan would struggle to find any footing to stage a comeback. Even after a scoreless third quarter, a touchdown pass with just around six minutes left would seal it for Northwestern, and a late field goal would bring the final tally to 23-0 in favor of the Red Raiders.
The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday, September 27th, as they travel to Iowa to take on Briar Cliff.