Sept. 18, 2005

BLAIR, NEB. — Viking Shawn Roll’s (Gretna, Neb.) interception secured a 24-21 Dana College victory over the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers Saturday in Blair.

Late in the fourth quarter a conservative pass from quarterback Marcus Sladek (Omaha Westside, Neb.) to Javon Bell (Miami, Fla.) was intercepted. The Vikings, who had been trying to run out the clock, were then faced with defending their goal from a potential game-winning Tiger touchdown. Dakota Wesleyan took the ball down to Dana’s 11-yard line with only 56 seconds remaining. That’s when Roll stepped in and snagged the Tigers’ pass and a Viking victory.

“ I think my heart stops three to four times a game,” Head Coach Bill Danenhauer said. “But it’s great to watch these kids work together. I’m really impressed with how this team is growing together. When the offense has a letdown, the defense picks them up, and vice versa. That’s what a team is about.”

Dana’s offense punched in three touchdowns Saturday — two on passes caught by B.J. Fields (Millard West, Neb.). Matt Neesen (Omaha Gross, Neb.) ran in the third. Rick Lebeda (Omaha Northwest, Neb.) kicked a 36-yard field goal.

Sladek completed 20 of 31 passes for 206 yards.

Shaun O’Connell (Millard North, Neb.) and Mike Buchanan (University of Nebraska at Omaha) led the defensive tackle charts with five solo tackles and three assists a piece. Kurt Ferguson (Millard South, Neb.) had Dana’s only sack for a loss of 8 yards.

The Vikings travel to University of Sioux Falls Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Full game statistics available at http://www.dana.edu/football/Stats/DWUDAN.HTM

For more information, contact:
Leslie Rasmussen, sports information director, (402) 426-7298, lrasmuss@dana.edu
— or —
Shad Beam, assistant sports information director, (402) 426-7389, sbeam@dana.edu