Dordt and Morningside traded big plays and long drives throughout a tight, momentum-shifting matchup, but the Defenders ultimately fell 34–28 in overtime forcing a share of the conference title between the two teams.
Box Score (PDF)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Morningside opened the scoring with an efficient 75-yard drive capped by a 24-yard touchdown pass to Drew Sellon. Dordt answered with a 75-yard march of its own, finished by a one-yard plunge from
Daniel Dickerson to tie the game at 7–7.
The Mustangs quickly regained the lead late in the first quarter on a five-yard score from Lennx Brown, though the PAT failed to leave Morningside ahead 13–7.
Dordt's offense repeatedly moved the ball but missed early chances, including a turnover on downs at the Morningside 15 on its second possession.
The Defenders again drove inside the red zone in the second quarter before being stopped on fourth down at the Morningside 10, ending an 80-yard drive without points.
Dordt finally capitalized late in the half with a quick three-play, 60-yard drive punctuated by a 13-yard touchdown run from
Thomas Fritz to take its first lead, 14–13, with 1:51 left. But Morningside responded in under a minute, going 92 yards for a go-ahead touchdown to enter halftime up 20–14.
The Defenders surged out of the break, taking the opening possession of the second half, marching 68 yards for another Fritz touchdown to retake the lead at 21–20. Moments later, a blocked Morningside punt was returned for a touchdown by
Sean Medlock, giving Dordt a 28–20 advantage midway through the third quarter.
The defense appeared poised to get off the field on the ensuing Mustang drive, but a defensive holding penalty extended the possession in Dordt territory and the Mustangs took advantage, taking advantage of the automatic first down, culminating a 14-play march that tied the game 28–28 in the final minute of the third quarter with a two-point conversion.
Neither team was able to sustain drives and the game went to overtime. Dordt's first possession ended in a blocked field goal and Morningside took the ensuing drive and eventually scored on a nine yard pass play on third down for the 34-28 overtime decision.
THE NUMBERS
- Total Yards: Dordt 540 – Morningside 548
- Passing Yards: Dordt 377 – Morningside 441
- Rushing Yards: Dordt 163 – Morningside 107
- Time of Possession: Dordt 33:06 – Morningside 26:54
Dordt Leaders
- Passing:
- Rushing:
- Receiving:
- Tackles:
- Sacks:
- Interceptions:
- Touchdowns:
NEXT
Morningside receives the automatic qualifier berth into the NAIA Playoff Field while Dordt awaits an at-large berth into the field announced on Sunday, November 16 at 6pm.
