Index of Sports Press Releases

Oct. 27, 2007

Leon Hits Game Winner to Lift DWU to 34-31 Win

Sergio Leon

Hastings, Neb. — Sergio Leon connected on a 28-yard field goal as time expired to give Dakota Wesleyan University a 34-31 win over Hastings College in a GPAC football offensive shootout at Lloyd Wilson Field in Hastings, Neb., on Saturday (Oct. 27) afternoon.

The win for DWU was the first Tiger victory over Hastings College in school history. Hastings had won the previous 13 meetings in football.

Dakota Wesleyan (2-6, 2-6 GPAC) snapped its six game losing streak in a game that had the two teams combine for 1,114 total yards. DWU set a season high with 580 yards of total offense.

Jon Doom finished with a career-high 316 yards passing, while senior running back Keith Jones also set a career-high with 141 yards rushing. Bubba Slaba and Jesse Ayers both went over 100 yards receiving for the Tigers as Slaba had nine catches for 129 yards, while Ayers had eight catches for 118 yards and two TDs.

DWU jumped out to an early 14-0 lead just four minutes into the game. Alan Swartz had a nine-yard TD run on the opening drive of the game, then Jones scampered 61 yards for a TD on the next possession after Jordan Gau intercepted a Bronco pass.

Hastings came back and scored two TDs to tie the game at 14-14 with 8:07 to play in the second quarter. The two teams would then trade touchdowns on the next two possessions. Doom found Ayers for the first of two TD passes to put DWU up 21-14, but the Broncos answered on a 14 yard TD pass on their next possession.

Right before the half Ayers caught a 20 yard TD pass from Doom to give DWU a 28-21 lead at the half. The lone score in the third quarter was a 26 yard TD run by Bronco running back Dan Bargen to tie the game at 28-28.

Hastings would then take its first lead of the game at the 10:25 mark in the fourth quarter when Gavin Rodriquez connected on a 27-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 31-28 advantage. Leon tied the game at 31-31 at the 6:43 mark when he made a 26 yard field goal.

The ending had several key plays that would have a saying on the outcome of the game. Hastings missed a potential game-winning field goal with 4:14 to play, but DWU was offsides on the play. Rodriquez then moved up five yards and missed the 37-yard attempt wide left.

On the Tigers possession, backup quarterback Tanner Tucker came in for Doom who went out with an injury. Tucker hit Juan Magallon on a pass down to the 50 yard line, but Magallon fumbled and Hastings recovered at the 49 yard line with 2:21 to play.

On a 4th & five play, Bronco quarterback Dayton Edwards completed a pass to Jordan Folkers for a first down to the DWU 21 yard line. However a holding penalty erased the play and Hastings was forced to punt.

DWU took over on their own 34-yard line with 1:06 to play. After two first down complete passes, Tucker was intercepted by Mike Cardenas at the 15-yard line. However, Bronco defensive lineman Brian Trader was called for a roughing the passer penalty and DWU received an automatic first down at the Hastings 21-yard line. Tucker hit Slaba for a nine yard gain to get the ball down to the 12 yardline to set up the Leon game winner.

After a pair of Bronco timeouts, Leon hit the game-winner with no time remaining on the clock to give the Tigers their first ever victory over Hastings in football.

Hastings running back Dan Bargen was the workhorse for the Broncos carrying the ball 36 times for 251 yards. He is the second straight running back to rush for over 250 yards against the DWU defense.

Freshman Jordan Gau led the DWU defense with 13 total tackles and an interception.

Dakota Wesleyan will look to keep its winning streak going next Saturday (Nov. 3) when the Tigers host winless Briar Cliff University in the home finale. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Joe Quintal Field.