No. 11 Dordt pulled away in the second half to defeat Dakota Wesleyan 44-17 Saturday at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.
The Tigers trailed 16-10 at halftime after QB Jed Jenson scored on a 3-yard run with eight seconds remaining in the second quarter. Dakota Wesleyan cut the deficit to six again in the third when QB Jack Driskill connected with Caleb Kilbride for a 13-yard touchdown.
Dordt answered with a 31-yard touchdown run by Keenan Valverde to take a 23-17 lead into the fourth quarter. The Defenders then scored three times in the final period, including a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown by Thomas Walder.
Dordt outgained Dakota Wesleyan 538-312, including 249 yards rushing. Thomas Fritz Jr. led the Defenders with 139 rushing yards and a 72-yard touchdown run.
Jenson and Driskill combined for 265 passing yards for the Tigers, who fall to 4-5 overall and 4-5 in the GPAC. Dordt improved to 7-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play.
DWU ends the season next Saturday, No. 14 at Mt. Marty at 1 pm.