Mitchell native and true freshman Kiel Nelson officially won Dakota Wesleyan University's starting quarterback job on Monday, with Zachary Lester listed as his backup on the Tigers' two-deeps. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound, Nelson will make his first start at 7 p.m. Thursday at Dakota State University in DWU's season opener.
Nelson and Lester started fall camp in a four-man battle for the starting spot, though it narrowed to them in the final weeks of camp. No decision was made until after August 22's fall scrimmage, which saw Nelson start but Lester take the majority of snaps. Jordan Etter is presumably the third-string quarterback, while Anthony De La Torre has been moved to wide receiver.
This is the third straight year the Tigers open the season with a new starting quarterback.
