Big Plays Down Tigers in Homecoming Matchup

Crete, Neb. — Under sunny but windy conditions at Memorial Stadium/Papik Field, the Doane Tigers battled for four quarters but came up short against Dakota Wesleyan, falling 33–7 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup.

Dakota Wesleyan (2–4, 1–4 GPAC) set the tone early, scoring on its first possession of the game. Quarterback Jed Jenson capped an 11-play, 72-yard drive with a 31-yard touchdown strike to Sean DeBlieck at the 7:47 mark of the first quarter. After a missed PAT, the Tigers trailed 6–0. DWU quickly extended its lead later in the quarter as Jenson connected with Cole Holden from 16 yards out, pushing the margin to 13–0 after the extra point.

The second quarter brought more challenges for Doane's defense. Jenson found Holden again, this time for a 59-yard touchdown with just over three minutes remaining before halftime. Less than two minutes later, he hit Steven Christion on a 62-yard scoring play to make it 27–0 at intermission. By the break, Jenson had thrown for four touchdowns, and DWU's aerial attack had built a commanding advantage.

Doane's defense tightened in the second half, forcing punts and capitalizing on pressure up front. Linebacker Reece Zutavern led the Tigers with 12 total tackles, including one for loss, and added a highlight interception returned 35 yards. The Tigers' defensive front tallied four sacks—two from Tanner Simdorn, and one each from Caleb Daniell and Liban Farah—keeping Jenson under duress in the latter stages.

Still, DWU managed one more strike in the third quarter, a 37-yard touchdown connection from Jenson to Caleb Kilbride, stretching the lead to 33–0.

The Tigers refused to go quietly. In the fourth quarter, Doane orchestrated its best drive of the afternoon. Quarterback Sam Hartman led a 13-play, 64-yard march that chewed up over four minutes of clock. Hartman finished the drive himself, plunging into the end zone from one yard out with 4:53 remaining. Freshman kicker Ivar de Jong added the PAT, bringing the score to 33–7. It marked the Tigers' lone scoring drive, but it highlighted the resilience of a group determined to finish strong.

Offensively, Hartman completed 18 passes for 142 yards while also scoring the Tigers' touchdown on the ground. Running back Rian Green provided a spark with 41 rushing yards and two receptions. Mark Anderson and Andrew Waido combined for six catches and 73 receiving yards.

The defense matched DWU's tackle total at 72 apiece and forced two turnovers, including Zutavern's interception. The Tigers also held DWU scoreless in the fourth quarter.

With the result, Doane moves to 1–4 overall and 1–4 in conference play. The Tigers will look to bounce back next week when they play in a 6:00 PM contest at home against Mount Marty.

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