Football Predicted Eighth in GPAC Coaches' Poll

Doane Football will begin the 2023 season on August 26 with a road contest at Graceland (Lamoni, Iowa). As the team prepares for the season opener, the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) announced on Tuesday the GPAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Tigers were picked to finish eighth this season out of the 11 teams.

The team returns eight starters on offense, eight on defense, and their special teams units for 2023. Last season, the Tigers battled to a 4-6 overall and conference record to tie for sixth in the GPAC.

Offensively, the Tigers return their leading passer, Cruz Kirwan, who threw for 992 yards last season. It marks the first time since the 2016 and 2017 seasons that the team will have their leading passer under center in back to back years.

Defensively, the unit had several players graduate but with the eligibility exception for a fifth-year due to COVID, Doane will return linebacker Ty Martinsen and safety Ryan Michael. The duo along with Jarret Boggs and Cade Wiseman gives the Tigers four of their top five leading tacklers back from last year.

Northwestern, the defending NAIA Champions, have been tabbed as the top team for 2023.

1. Northwestern (98 pts/8 1st Place votes)

2. Morningside (93 pts/3 1st Place votes)

3. Dordt (78 pts)

4. Midland (75 pts)

5. Hastings (59 pts)

6. Concordia (57 pts)

7. Jamestown (38 pts)

8. Doane (36 pts)

9. Mount Marty (30 pts)

10. Dakota Wesleyan (27 pts)

11. Briar Cliff (14 pts)