STORM LAKE, Iowa (Nov. 8, 2025) - Buena Vista junior tailback Adriel Fussell rushed for a career-high 259 yards and three touchdowns to help lead the Beavers to a 34-21 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan in the home finale on what was a snowy Saturday afternoon inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium.

With a couple inches of snow on the ground prior to kickoff, the Beavers decided to lean on the ground game and Fussell stood up to the challenge. He entered a scoreless game on team's third offensive series that began at its own 27-yard line and and 5:19 left in the first quarter.

Fussell took his first hand off and scampered 45 yards down field to the NWU 28-yard line. Fussell went on to take the handoff on the next seven consecutive plays and single-handedly sent the team down to the Prairie Wolves three. After a two-yard loss pushed BVU back to the five, junior quarterback Zy Gravitt connected with Gavin Honkomp over the middle of the north endzone for the Beaver touchdown. Senior Tyler Pennington converted the PAT and BVU led 7-0 with 10 seconds left in the frame. 

It continued to be a defensive battle throughout most of the second quarter, and the Beavers capitalized on the strength of their defensive when Tre Fisher stepped in front on the far sideline and intercepted a Connor White pass and returned it 60 yards for a Beaver touchdown and a 14-0 halftime lead.

The Prairie Wolves got on the board on the first drive of the second half with a six-yard touchdown run from Trystin Meyers that made it 14-7 with just over three minutes into the half.

Fussell put BVU back up by two scores five minutes later with a five-yard surge before NWU made it 21-14 in the closing seconds of the third quarter with a 59-yard run by Meyers.

Fussell found the endzone from two yards out less than two minutes into the fourth quarter that capped a five-play 31-yard drive which was set up by a 58 yard kickoff return by Sebastian Clear up the home sideline. Clear had 118 yards on the day on only three returns.

NWU wouldn't go away and later in the fourth quarter was able to get back within 28-21 on Myers' third touchdown run - this one from four yards out. Fussell, who carried the ball 32 times in the game, came right back and put the exclamation point on his career day when he took the hand off on the first play of the ensuing drive and cut outside and up the near side line for a 72-yard burst for the game's final score.

Myers had 100 yards rushing on 16 carries to highlight the offense for the Prairie Wolves, who finished with 339 yards of total offense.

In addition to Fussell, senior Meven Obregon added 54 yards on 15 carries as BVU went on to rush for a total of 317 yards on 49 attempts. Gravitt was efficient through the air for BVU despite the inclement weather, completing 11-of-17 attempts for 103 yards and the one touchdown. Sophomore Johnny Messerly was on the receiving end of five of those completions for 44 yards. Honkomp hauled in two for 17 yards and the one score.

White was 15-of-31 for the Prairie Wolves for 199 yards and was intercepted by both Fisher and later Matthew Beisswenger.

Wyatt Hatcher registered a team-high eight total tackles for the Beavers, including three for a loss and one sack. Bobby Gross had five tackles and one for a loss. Beisswenger added three tackles, one interception and broke up four passes.

Jian Aguilar and Carlos Porter each turned in 12 total tackles for NWU with Hunter Hanke close behind with eight tackles and two for a loss.

BVU finished the day with a season-high 34 points and 420 yards of offense. The Beavers owned the time of possession on the day at 38:48 compared to only 21:12 for the Prairie Wolves.

Buena Vista improves to 3-6 on the year (2-5 A-R-C) and will now close out the year next Saturday, Nov. 15, on the road at No. 6 Wartburg College (9-0, 7-0 A-R-C). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.