Disruptive defense keys quick start for DWU football

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Sep. 22—MITCHELL — For the first time since 2015, the Dakota Wesleyan University football team is out to a 3-0 start against Great Plains Athletic Conference foes.

A major reason why has been the Tigers' penchant for producing big plays on the defensive side of the ball. Well ahead of last season's pace, DWU is among the NAIA leaders in many defensive categories, notably in creating turnovers and negative plays.

On Saturday against Briar Cliff, DWU recorded four takeaways — three interceptions and a fumble recovery — along with nine tackles for loss, five sacks and six pass breakups. The Tigers, who improved their record to 3-1 overall with a 37-3 win, were a last-second field goal by BCU away from posting their first shutout in GPAC action since 2013.

"Progressively, every single week, we've gotten better," said defensive lineman Carter Skogsberg. "That's just how our defense should be rolling right now."

But the dominant effort against the Chargers wasn't a one-off.

Through four games, DWU leads the entire NAIA in takeaways with 15, including a nation-leading 10 interceptions. The Tigers also have five fumble recoveries, which is tied for fifth-most nationally, and both takeaway figures lead the GPAC, as well.

For the entire 2025 season, the Tigers recorded nine interceptions and five fumble recoveries in 11 games.

"We've been doing a good job of creating those types of plays," said defensive coordinator Chris Bessler. "Part of that is we've controlled the run. When you're stopping the run, it makes other teams predictable, and all of a sudden you get to jump on things."

Additionally, DWU has accumulated 19 pass breakups and 29 tackles for loss, marks that are tied for 12th and 16th nationally in those respective categories. The Tigers lead the GPAC in rush defense and rank eighth nationally at 63.8 yards allowed per game, more than 45 yards per game better than second place.

For as well as the defense has played as a unit, a few players have stood out individually so far.

In the secondary, Trevor Sladky has four interceptions, which is tied for the national lead, while Mikey Hart is tied for third in pass breakups with six.

Linebacker Reed Rus, a Mount Vernon product and transfer from the University of South Dakota, is tied for second nationally with seven tackles for loss, including six sacks. Rus and Drue Davis rank first and second in the GPAC for tackles for loss, and Skogsberg is tied for fifth.

"It all starts with Coach Bessler and the defensive coaches bringing that plan to us," Rus said. "Yeah, we might give up a chunk play once in a while, but we are also leading the GPAC in turnovers (takeaways). That's kind of the defense we want to play, and it's exciting for us."

But the defense's impact doesn't necessarily end when it comes off the field. Big plays by the defense can help spark the offense, too, and so far this season, DWU has scored five touchdowns and kicked three field goals on possessions following a takeaway. Four more Tigers touchdowns have been scored on drives immediately after the defense forced a three-and-out.

"Momentum is one of those things that, once you get rolling, you can start to feel it in all three phases," said head coach Alex Kretzschmar. "Ultimately, we want to play the complete game and play complementary football. The defense getting a stop or getting a three-and-out, that's huge."

"Obviously, this defense is super high energy," Rus added. "Our negative (yardage) plays, the explosive plays, all that hopefully should translate right into the offense by getting them great field position. Then there's the energy. You can feel it gets everybody hyped up."

Moving forward, the Tigers know the most difficult part of their schedule still lies ahead, starting this weekend with a trip to 18th-ranked Midland (Neb.), followed by another road game at No. 8 Morningside (Iowa). Even further down the line, DWU's final two home games of the season are back-to-back weekends against No. 16 Dordt (Iowa) and No. 22 Northwestern (Iowa).

But make no mistake, the Tigers are proud of the defensive product they've put on the field so far this season. With any good fortune, the recipe for success DWU has established early can carry through and be applied to the tests ahead.

"The pride is immense right now," Skogsberg said. "We promised ourselves, even going back to the winter, that we wanted to be a top team in the GPAC as far as defense goes and in terms of disruption, sacks, and those sorts of plays. We knew we could be there, but it all comes down to just preparation every single day and guys buying into the scheme."

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