Saddling Up – Milestone spotlights crosstown clash

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – 200.

An impressive number related to a 19^th straight Battle for the Saddle victory for Morningside University Saturday, Oct. 16. 

Also, a set of digits on the mind of everyone clad in maroon at Memorial Stadium on a sunny early fall afternoon. It signified head coach Steve Ryan joining an elite fraternity in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The 84-7 output against Briar Cliff University earned him the title of the 11^th head coach to reach 200 career victories.

"This is just a tribute to all of the student-athletes I've been fortunate enough to coach and the coaches I've been able to work alongside during my career," Ryan noted postgame, as the Mustangs, ranked No. 3 nationally, moved to 6-0 overall and in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. "It's part of the continuality of the success we've been able to maintain at Morningside. It all goes back to so many people I've had the chance to see after today's game --- individuals who have gone on to do so much in their lives."

Before the post-game celebration of a historic victory, the team's work done on the field was just as memorable. Among the numbers that stood out beyond the 84 points, a record in the series versus the Chargers and most points in a game since the 2015 squad put up 86 against Nebraska Wesleyan, were 44 first downs, 710 total yards of offense, just 154 yards of total offense allowed, three takeaways, five sacks and 14 tackles for losses. The offensive outpouring enabled two other milestone marks. Senior running back Anthony Sims (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) became the fourth rusher in program history to reach the 3,000-mark during an eight-carry, 46-yard, two-touchdown day. Senior quarterback Joe Dolincheck (Bellevue, Neb.) moved into the Mustangs' 10,000 passing yardage club as the fourth-such member. He went 16-of-23 for 263 yards with three touchdowns.

Dolincheck and Sims were just two of the many contributors to enable Mside to keep pace with rival Northwestern atop the loop standings. They were joined by junior running back Michael Minor (Omaha, Neb.) (15 carries – 147 yards); freshman running back Ryan Cole (St. Ansgar, Iowa) (two rushing touchdowns); senior wide receivers Caleb Schweigart (Omaha, Neb.), Reid Jurgensmeier (Wahoo, Neb.) and Austin Johnson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and senior tight end Sione Tuifua (Barrow, Alaska) (one receiving touchdown apiece) with Jurgensmeier and Schweigart each hauling in 73 yards; senior defensive lineman Dominick Barrett (Baltimore, Md.) (six tackles, one sack, and three tackles for losses); senior linebacker Tyler Wingert (Holstein, Iowa), junior linebacker Garrett Hoagland (Lincoln, Neb.), senior defensive lineman Logan Schuelke (Waverly, Neb.) and freshman Breckin Peters (North Bend, Neb.) who joined Barrett with a sack; and Wingert, senior defensive back Drew Bessey (Palmyra, Neb.) and sophomore linebacker Isaac Pingel (Spencer, Iowa) (one interception each).

All of those pluses allowed Morningside to roar out to a 56-0 halftime lead and not look back. "The first half was something from our guys," Ryan said. "We played so well across all facets to stake ourselves to that advantage."

Mside returns home Saturday, Oct. 23, beginning a two-game homestand. Dordt University ranked No. 18 on the recent national coaches poll, visits Elwood Olsen Stadium in a top 20 clash in a 1 p.m. kickoff.