September 9, 2006

The Dana Vikings lost their home opener to the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves on Saturday 30-6.  The Vikings were out yarded 272-171 in a game that saw them struggle to consistently move the ball or score many points.  The loss left Dana’s record at 1-1 while the Prairie Wolves improved to 2-0.

All of the scoring for the Vikings was done by senior kicker Rick Lebeda (Omaha, NE) who made a 29 yard field goal in the first quarter and a 40 yard field goal in the fourth quarter.  Behind 13-6 with 13:18 remaining in the fourth quarter, Dana’s defense was unable to stop the Prairie Wolves who went on an 11 play 63 yard drive which was capped by a Seth Mruz 1 yard run.  The ensuing extra point put NWU up 20-6 with 8:22 remaining.  Dana was  unable to mount any more serious scoring threats for the remainder of the game.

Senior running back Matt Neesen (Omaha, NE) led the Vikings in rushing with 6 carries for 29 yards.  Quarterback Marcus Sladek (Omaha, NE) was 15 of 35 passing for 134 yards.  Sladek also threw two interceptions.  Senior wide receiver Greg Hill (Omaha, NE) had five receptions for 40 yards.

Dana punter Mitch Bowhay (Bellevue, NE) punted nine times for a total of 360 yards (40.0 yd/punt).

Defensively, the Vikings were led by Chris Reinke (Omaha, NE) who had 7.5 total tackles and a pass break up.  Junior defensive lineman Terrance McLean had 4 tackles including two sacks.  Senior linebacker Shaun O’Connell had 4.5 tackles including 2 tackles for loss and a sack.

NWU was led by quarterback Zac Rabe who rushed 18 times for 85 yards and a touchdown and completed 10 of 17 passes for 68 yards.  Running back Seth Mruz carried 21 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

Dana’s next game is on September 16 at 1:00 PM in Mitchell, South Dakota, against Dakota Wesleyan (0-2).

For more information, contact:


Shad Beam, sports information director, (402) 426-7389, sbeam@dana.edu

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Scott Guzinski, assistant Sports Information Director, (402) 426-7949, sguzinsk@dana.edu