HASTINGS, Neb. – Very little went according to plan from the perspective of Concordia University, Nebraska Football. In their first road test of 2026, the Bulldogs and Broncos slogged through two separate lengthy weather delays before the contest ended in a 38-27 Hastings victory on Saturday (Sept. 12). The Bulldogs waited until the fourth quarter to get on the board with a Gideon Stark 32-yard touchdown connection to Jonny Puelz.
Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad returned to action for the first time since defeating Waldorf during week zero in the NAIA. Concordia had won six of the previous seven meetings with the Broncos. The latest clash was delayed by an hour. Another interruption came after the first quarter.
“That fourth quarter – we needed that to start earlier, and it just didn’t,” Daberkow said. “There’s no excuse for it not happening earlier. We got stopped on the one-yard-line twice. There could have been a much different version of this game if we had taken care of things earlier. We have to figure out a way to start faster.”
Said Daberkow of the weather delays, “They’re dealing with it too. That’s life. You’re going to get some curveballs, and you have to respond to them.”
Hastings combined a strong mix of run (299 yards) and pass (270 yards) while building a 35-0 advantage. In the second quarter, running back Kaiden Merryman got loose for rushing touchdowns of four and 92 yards. Merryman racked up 203 yards on 21 carries. Through the air, Bronco quarterback Tucker Synek completed 14-of-20 passes for 234 yards and three scores.
Missed opportunities to end the first half and to start the second added to Concordia’s frustrations. To close the half, Stark found receiver Collin Fritton for a 19-yard completion to the one-yard-line as time expired. After the break, Stark and the Bulldogs took their first possession and marched from their own 35 to the Hastings 2 while being stopped on downs. Concordia scored touchdowns on 3-of-5 red zone trips.
Eventually, Stark and the offense took advantage of a loosened-up pass defense. Following the strike to Puelz, Stark hooked up with Adam Van Cleave for a pair of scores and with Calvin Sassaman on a fourth-and-goal from the six (with 14 seconds remaining). Van Cleave’s first touchdown occurred on a hook-and-ladder that was first caught by Carter Skleba and then pitched to Van Cleave, who raced into the end zone from nine yards out. The play covered 17 yards in total.
In facing a significant deficit, the Bulldogs went almost exclusively to the air. Stark’s 465 passing yards (37-of-56) represented a new program record for a single game. The Magnolia, Texas, native has already thrown for 12 touchdowns through two games. His favored targets on Saturday evening were Van Cleave (12 for 149), Fritton (nine for 143), Puelz (five for 98), Sassaman (five for 34) and Skleba (four for 32).
Concordia finishes with minus-11 yards on the ground on 18 attempts. The Bronco defense registered four sacks. On the other side, the Bulldogs were paced by nine tackles (two for loss) from defensive back Treven Weddle. Linebacker Deegan Barnes was credited with a sack.
In other key categories, both teams lost two fumbles while Hastings controlled time of possession (38:49) on the strength of an average of 6.1 yards per carry. The Broncos scored on five of their six appearances in the red zone.
In closing, Daberkow remarked, “We didn’t get the job done. We have to figure out a way to handle some funky things. I never thought that we panicked, we just didn’t have enough urgency. Hats off to Hastings. They came out and had an injury and they dealt with it. All the goals we have are still available that we have this season. We have to do the next right thing.”
Concordia will return to Bulldog Stadium next week for Homecoming Saturday. Kickoff versus Mount Marty (2-0, 1-0 GPAC) is slated for 1 p.m. CT. Concordia has won each of the first five series matchups since the Lancers played their inaugural season of football in 2021. For additional details about homecoming weekend at Concordia, click HERE.