Tigers vs. Warriors: DWU Battles Midland for GPAC Supremacy

MITCHELL, S.D. -- Dakota Wesleyan University football heads to Fremont, Nebraska, on Saturday for a showdown that will decide first place in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The Tigers face No. 18 Midland in a clash of unbeaten conference records, and this one has all the makings of a classic.

Both teams enter at 3-0 in the GPAC. Both boast high-powered passing attacks. And DWU is hunting for something it hasn't done in nearly a decade: beat a ranked opponent.

Game Details at a Glance

• When: 1 p.m. Saturday
• Where: Heedum Field, Fremont, Neb.
• Records: DWU 3-1 (3-0 GPAC); Midland 4-0 (3-0 GPAC)
• Coaches: DWU's Alex Kretzschmar (11-15, third season); Midland's Jeff Jamrog (68-42, 11th season)
• All-time series: Midland leads 23-16
• Last meeting: Midland won 45-7 on Nov. 8, 2025, in Mitchell

Can the Tigers Finally Break Through?

Let's be honest: history is not on DWU's side here. Midland has won seven of the last eight meetings. The Tigers haven't won in Fremont since 2017. And the last time DWU beat a ranked team? That was also 2017, when they knocked off No. 24 Midland on Sept. 30 in Mitchell.

But this is a different Tigers squad. They're averaging 34.5 points per game, their best start since 2017. They've already forced 15 turnovers in four games, surpassing last season's total of 14. And they're scoring on 14 of 16 red zone trips, with 11 touchdowns and three field goals.

Quarterback Jed Jenson is slinging it, with 13 touchdown passes, good for second in the GPAC. His favorite target, Caleb Kilbride, has six touchdown catches, tied for the league lead. On defense, Mount Vernon product Reed Rus leads the GPAC with six sacks, and Drue Davis is tied for second with three.

The Warriors Bring Their Own Firepower

Midland isn't just a name on a schedule. The Warriors boast the current GPAC and NAIA offensive player of the week in wide receiver Jurrion Dickey, who torched Northwestern for 178 yards and two touchdowns last week. Dickey, a transfer from Oregon and Diablo Valley College, has six touchdown catches this season. T.J. Covington has five.

Quarterback Brodey Johnson leads the GPAC with 16 touchdown passes and 1,137 yards through four games, a clip of 284.3 yards per game. Running back Brady Singer adds balance, ranking third in the conference with 88.3 rushing yards per game.

Make no mistake: this is a battle of two legitimate contenders. The Massey Ratings have DWU at No. 40 in the country and Midland at No. 9 out of 96 NAIA teams.

A Rivalry Built on Tradition

These two programs have played every season since 1988, making this DWU's longest-running continuous football series. That predates both teams being in the same conference. This is the kind of rivalry that defines a season.

The Tigers haven't started 4-0 in the GPAC since 2011, when they opened the season 5-0 overall. A win Saturday would put them in rare air.

What's Next?

DWU hits the road again next week, traveling to Sioux City, Iowa, to face Morningside at 1:30 p.m. Midland returns to Heedum Field to host No. 16 Dordt.

But first, the Tigers have a chance to make a statement. This is about more than a conference win. It's about proving they belong among the NAIA's elite. It's about merit, hard work, and earning respect on the field. That's the American way.

GPAC Schedule for Saturday, Sept. 26

• Waldorf at Doane, 1 p.m.
• No. 22 Northwestern at Hastings, 1 p.m.
• No. 16 Dordt at Concordia, 1 p.m.
• No. 7 Morningside at Mount Marty, 1 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is the DWU vs. Midland football game?

The game kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday at Heedum Field in Fremont, Nebraska.

Who is favored to win the DWU vs. Midland game?

Midland is ranked No. 18 in the NAIA and rated No. 9 in the Massey Ratings, while DWU is rated No. 40. Midland has won seven of the last eight meetings.

When did DWU last beat a ranked team?

DWU last beat a ranked team on Sept. 30, 2017, when they defeated No. 24 Midland in Mitchell.

Who leads the GPAC in passing touchdowns?

Midland quarterback Brodey Johnson leads the GPAC with 16 touchdown passes. DWU's Jed Jenson is second with 13.