CRETE, Neb. -- Dakota Wesleyan University capitalized on five Doane turnovers to pick up its first win of the season.
The Tigers intercepted Doane quarterback Adam Wasserman four times, while Zachary Lester threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-26 win in Great Plains Athletic Conference action on Saturday.
DWU struck first after a Tiger special teams error in the first quarter, with Lester connecting with Daniel Libolt on a 25-yard scoring strike. The teams traded interceptions, but Doane was able to get on the board with a 1-yard run by Jamai Derogene.
The scoring continued at a rapid pace, with three touchdowns scored in the final 3 minutes, 37 seconds of the first half. DWU pushed its lead to 14-6 when Lester found Spencer Neugebauer for a 44-yard touchdown, but Doane responded 44 seconds later on a Wasserman touchdown run to cut the lead to 14-13 at halftime.
Neugebauer continued his dynamic performance in the third quarter, taking a punt return 44 yards to the Doane 16 yard line. Moments later, he scored his second touchdown of the game on a 13-yard pass from Lester.
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Jacobi White cut into the lead with a 30-yard run early in the fourth quarter and the Tigers capitalized on a Lester interception by taking the lead on an 11-yard touchdown connection from Wasserman to Josh Baker to take a 26-21 lead with 12:51 to play.
DWU (1-3, 1-3 GPAC) answered with a methodical scoring drive, marching 63 yards on six plays, punctuated with a 23-yard scamper by Emery native Jamin Arend for what would result in a score. Arend was tackled on the play, but fell on a Tiger defender and quickly got to his feet for what resulted in the game-winning touchdown with 10:09 to play.
Doane (2-2, 2-2) had three opportunities to score in the final 5 minutes, but came up empty and DWU ended the comeback bid when Josh Garry intercepted Wasserman with 1:02 to play.
Neugebauer finished with 139 yards and two touchdowns on 12 receptions, while Lester went 27 of 42 passing. Jacob Zamora recorded two interceptions, while Nate Rupprecht and Adam DeJong each added a pick.
Wasserman went 7 of 18 for 97 yards, while also running for 85 yards and a touchdown. Derogene had 75 yards and White had 73 yards on the ground for Doane.
DWU hosts Concordia at 1 p.m. on Oct. 10 at Joe Quintal Field.
Dakota Wesleyan 29, Doane 26
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First quarter
DWU: Daniel Libolt 25 pass from Zachary Lester (Tate Gale kick)
Second quarter
D: Jamai Derogene 1 run (Kick failed)
DWU: Spencer Neugebauer 44 pass from Lester (Gale kick)
D: Adam Wasserman 6 run (Jeremy Henning kick)
Third quarter
DWU: Neugebauer 13 pass from Lester (Gale kick)
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Fourth quarter
D: Jacobi White 30 run (Pass failed)
D: Josh Baker 11 pass from Wasserman (Henning kick)
DWU: Jamin Arend 23 run (Neugebauer pass)
RUSHING (ATT-YDS): DWU: Jamin Arend 9-42, Lachary Lester 7-16, Jaden Bloemendaal 1-2, Team 2-(-3), Spencer Neugebauer 2-(-7). D: Wasserman 17-85, Jamai Derogene 20-75, Jacobi White 14-73, Caden Theis 1-(-14).
PASSING (C-A-YDS-INT-TD): DWU: Lester 27-42-232-2-3. D: Wasserman 7-18-97-4-1.
RECEIVING (REC-YDS): DWU: Neugebauer 12-139, Daniel Libolt 5-39, Jakob Oxos 2-25, Chance Sorensen 3-21, Arend 2-8, Garret Determan 1-7, Lester 1-(-7). D: Kaden Reimers 3-55, Josh Baker 3-42, Brehan Lambert 1-0.
