FB: Comeback falls short against Doane

FB: Comeback falls short against Doane

Article Body: Kicker Drew Giesenhagen nailed three field goals to lead the Doane College Tigers to a 9-7 win over the Concordia University, Nebraska football team Saturday afternoon in Crete, Neb. The Bulldogs comeback fell short, as Michael Saalfeld's 50-yard field goal attempt was wide right with 11 seconds remaining.

Doane picks up their second win of the season (2-3, 2-3 GPAC) and betters the Bulldogs (2-4, 2-4 GPAC) for second time in as many years.

The defenses of each squad turned in solid performances, as the Bulldogs held Doane to 234 total yards (99 rushing, 135 passing) while the Tigers limited Concordia to just 208 of offense as a team (128 rushing, 80 passing).

Neither team was able to get on the board in the first quarter as the teams traded punts and turnovers. The Bulldogs coughed up the ball twice in the first quarter while Doane put the ball on the turf once. Senior Brett Mertens forced the Doane fumble which was recovered by freshman Aaron Hannemann.

Doane's first scoring threat came in the second quarter as they drove as far as the three yard line of Concordia before the Bulldogs held, forcing the first of three Giesenhagen field goals, a 24-yard attempt, with 9:21 left in the quarter.

The Tigers added another field goal, this one from 26-yards out with 1:17 left in the half.

Down 6-0 at the half, Concordia took their first possession of the second half to the Doane 28-yard line thanks in part to a 20-yard gain on a fake punt. That play led to a 45-yard field goal attempt by Michael Saalfeld which was blocked by the Tigers and returned all the way to the Concordia 11-yard line.

The Concordia defense again kept the Tigers out of the endzone, allowing just four yards, forcing another field goal attempt by Giesenhagen. Giesenhagen was again good, this time from 24-yards out, giving the Tigers a 9-0 advantage.

It looked like the Bulldogs had something going on their next possession driving inside the Tiger 15 to the 14-yard line, but a holding penalty followed by sack backed the Bulldogs up to the Doane 34. Saalfeld pinned the Tigers deep in their own territory with a 27-yard punt that was fair caught at the seven yard line.

After a three and out by the Tiger offense the Bulldogs took over with 2:11 left in the third quarter on the Doane 23-yard line. A steady diet of senior running back JaMaine Lewis led to a Concordia touchdown as time expired on the third quarter. Lewis, who carried the ball on every snap of the drive, went in from five yards out to put the Bulldogs on the board. Saalfeld added the PAT to pull Concordia within a deuce, 9-7.

In the fourth quarter after a 44-yard punt return by senior Jeff Neujahr gave the Bulldogs prime field position at the Tiger 14-yard line the Bulldogs were again plagued by turnovers and penalties. After a false start Bulldog QB Kyle Schmidt fumbled and Kyle Coffie of Doane recovered.

After trading punts the Tigers coughed up the ball as their QB, J.R. Artozqui, had it knocked loose and recovered by Brett Baller of Concordia. The Bulldogs were unable to capitalize on the turnover, punting it away four plays later.

Concordia had one last chance, taking over at the Tiger 48-yard line with 2:54 left in the game. The Bulldogs seemed to be in position for a chance at a game winning field goal, as they drove to the Doane 18-yard line, facing a third and five. However, a pair of flags, a false start and a holding call, made it third and 20 from the Doane 33. Schmidt's pass to Lewis at the goal line was off Lewis' fingertips, forcing the 50-yard field goal attempt by Saalfed which seemed to have the distance, but was off to the right.

For the Bulldogs, Lewis continues to put up impressive numbers, carrying the ball a hefty 30 times for 154 yards and a TD. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry.
Through the air, Christian Spaulding and Schmidt went a combined 6 of 18 for 60 yards and one interception, off the arm of Spaulding.

Defensively for Concordia freshman linebacker Jeremy Walrath led the way with 5.5 tackles. Mertens forced a fumble and had five tackles on the day. The Bulldogs were without a sack for just the second game this season.

The Tigers were led by Artozqui who complete 10 passes for 135 yards. Lukek Burson, Blake Erickson and Mark Newmyer all had two catches. Coffie led the Tiger defense with 13 tackles, four of them solo. He also had three sacks a pair of forced fumbles a fumble recovery and a pass break up.

Concordia hosts Nebraska Wesleyan University next Saturday on "Homecoming" weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Posted by site staff on 10/8/2007 2:00:00 PM

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