Nebraska Wesleyan scored 26 fourth quarter points as senior running back Kory Kahlandt ran for three touchdowns in the final period as the Prairie Wolves overcame a four-point deficit to defeat 19th-ranked Dakota Wesleyan, 38-23, in the 2009 home opener on Saturday (Sept. 12) at Abel Stadium in Lincoln.
DWU led 13-9 at halftime as the Prairie Wolves were held to just three field goals in the first half and outgained 226-89 in the first 30 minutes of action. NWU opened the second half with another field goal to pull within one point at 13-12. A DWU field goal put the Tigers up 16-12 heading into the fourth quarter.
On the third play of the fourth quarter Kahlandt rumbled 14 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The biggest play of the game was on the ensuing kickoff when the DWU return man called for a fair catch at the three-yard line. On the next play, the Tigers running back fumbled and NWU took over first and goal inside the DWU five.
Kahlandt plunged for a one-yard TD run with 12:48 to play in the fourth quarter. The Prairie Wolves broke the game open on their next possession when Kahlandt busted up the middle for a 55-yard TD scamper.
The final touchdown for NWU came with 4:01 to play when backup running back Morgan Haupt ran in from 18 yards out. DWU tacked on a touchdown with 32 seconds left when Eric Gillen caught a tipped pass from Russell Mcguire.
Kahlandt was the story for the NWU offense as he finished with 165 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. The Prairie Wolves finished with 211 rushing yards. Matt Hagge was a solid 7-14 passing for 97 yards with no turnovers.
On defense, the Prairie Wolves forced four turnovers including three interceptions of DWU quarterback Jon Doom. Garrett Rippen, Tony Terp and Luke Luetchens each had a pick for NWU. Linebacker Josh Kendle and Rippen each had 10 total tackles to lead NWU.
For Dakota Wesleyan, they had a big day passing as three different receivers had over 100 yards receiving. Doom was 21-34 for 312 yards with no TDs and three interceptions. Anthony Muilenburg had nine grabs for 116 yards, Bubba Slaba caught six for 120, while Jesse Ayers had six for 108 yards.
The Prairie Wolves will look to snap a nine-game losing streak next week when they travel to Orange City, Iowa to play Northwestern College. The Prairie Wolves have not defeated the Red Raiders since 1999.
