SEWARD, Neb. – With a .500 season record secured, Concordia University, Nebraska Football will look for more on Saturday when rival Midland pays a visit to Bulldog Stadium. Each of the past two matchups in Seward have gone to overtime (2023 and 2025). When the ball is kicked off on Saturday, it will mark the 74th all-time Concordia-Midland clash in history. Prior to kickoff, Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s program will celebrate a class of 27 seniors.
In their final road trip of the season, the Bulldogs shut down Briar Cliff in the second half and ran away with a 37-14 win behind 223 yards rushing and three touchdowns from Dylan Mika. The win moved Concordia above .500 at 5-4. Meanwhile, Midland kept its NAIA playoff hopes alive with a 51-14 stomping of Doane in Crete this past week. The Warriors are 8-2 overall and currently reside in fourth place, behind the three teams tied atop the GPAC standings (Dordt, Morningside and Northwestern).
GAME INFO
Concordia (5-4, 5-4 GPAC) vs. Midland (8-2, 7-2 GPAC)
Saturday, Nov. 14 | 1 p.m.
Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: GPAC Network
Live Stats: Presto Stats
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Parker Cyza and Ross Wurdeman
Tickets: Hudl Ticketing (also sold on site)
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Team Statistics
*2026 national rankings out of 96 NAIA football programs that have reported statistics this season.
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 35.3 (30th)
Defensive PPG: 30.1 (50th)
Total Offense: 420.4 (25th)
Pass Offense: 255.4 (21st)
Rush Offense: 165.0 (32nd)
Total Defense: 448.1 (81st)
Pass Defense: 260.3 (85th)
Rush Defense: 187.8 (72nd)
Turnover +/-: +3
Midland
Offensive PPG: 35.6 (T-27th)
Defensive PPG: 16.1 (14th)
Total Offense: 450.3 (13th)
Pass Offense: 321.8 (3rd)
Rush Offense: 128.5 (61st)
Total Defense: 289.6 (17th)
Pass Defense: 177.2 (T-22nd)
Rush Defense: 112.4 (19th)
Turnover +/-: +1
2026 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (52-45, 10th season)
Passing: Gideon Stark – 130/240 (.542), 1,975 yards, 20 td, 5 int, 145.3 effic.
Rushing: Dylan Mika – 104 rushes, 709 yards, 6.8 avg, 7 td
Receiving: Adam Van Cleave – 55 receptions, 759 yards, 13.8 avg, 9 td
Defense: Kaden Thompson – 65 tackles, 5.5 tfl, 4 int, 4 pbu, 1 TD return
Midland
Head Coach: Jeff Jamrog (71-45, 11th season)
Passing: Brodey Johnson – 194/311 (.624), 3,053 yards, 36 td, 5 int, 179.8 effic.
Rushing: Brady Singer – 97 rushes, 441 yards, 4.5 avg, 4 td
Receiving: TJ Covington – 61 receptions, 1,100 yards, 18.0 avg, 13 td
Defense: Jay Ballard – 75 tackles, 13.5 tfl, 3 sacks, 2 pbu, 2 fr, 1 ff
2026 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (5-4, 5-4 GPAC)
8/29 vs. Waldorf, W, 77-7
9/12 at Hastings, L, 27-38
9/19 vs. Mount Marty, W, 42-24
9/26 vs. (16) Dordt, L, 21-51
10/3 at (21) Northwestern, L, 24-38
10/10 at Dakota Wesleyan, W, 24-21
10/24 at (6) Morningside, L, 21-61
10/31 vs. Doane, W, 45-17
11/7 at Briar Cliff, W, 37-14
11/14 vs. (18) Midland, 1 p.m. (Senior Day)
Midland (8-2, 7-2 GPAC)
8/27 vs. Dickinson State, W, 31-0
9/5 vs. Waldorf, W, 69-10
9/12 at Briar Cliff, W, 35-7
9/19 at (13) Northwestern, W, 28-16
9/26 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, W, 49-0
10/3 vs. (17) Dordt, L, 17-42
10/17 at Mount Marty, W, 31-18
10/24 vs. Hastings, W, 21-14
10/31 vs. (5) Morningside, L, 24-40
11/7 vs. Doane, W, 51-14
11/14 at Concordia, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
Concordia rose as high as No. 17 last season in the official NAIA coaches’ polls before settling as a “receiving votes” team to end 2025. The Bulldogs also concluded 2024 at No. 18 in the poll. Concordia began the 2026 season listed in the “receiving votes” category of the poll. The Bulldogs have not received votes since their loss at Hastings on Sept. 12. As a consequence of the new system that has shifted to a top 15 in the NAIA Selection Committee poll, Midland is no longer ranked. The Warriors appeared at No. 18 in the NAIA coaches’ poll released on Oct. 19. The Warriors have not shown up in the selection committee’s top 15 over the past two weeks.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 4th
NAIA Performance Index: 42nd
Midland
GPAC preseason: 5th
NAIA Performance Index: 18th
Senior Day at Bulldog Stadium
As of the beginning of the week, the senior day list for Saturday’s recognition includes 27 Bulldogs (see full list below). The group includes fifth-year student-athletes such as offensive tackle Derek Campbell and receiver Adam Van Cleave. Some seniors who plan to return in 2027 have chosen to wait to be recognized (senior Jonny Puelz, for example). The four-year seniors have helped the program to .500 or better records each year: 5-5 in 2023, 8-2 in 2024, 7-3 in 2025 and 5-4 in 2026.
2026-27 Seniors
Peyton Atwood (Grand Island, Neb.)
Deegan Barnes (Ignacio, Colo.)
Keith Bell (Centennial, Colo.)
Noah Brumm (Seward, Neb.)
Derek Campbell (Geneva, Ill.)
Carlos Collazo (Marquette, Neb.)
Jake Connell (Hyannis, Neb.)
Tyler Douglass (Grand Island, Neb.)
John Fehlhafer (Utica, Neb.)
Tanner Frahm (Plainview, Neb.)
AJ Frazey (Seward, Neb.)
Lukas Lafler (Lincoln, Neb.)
Carter Meier (Pierce, Neb.)
Sean Meints (Gothenburg, Neb.)
Braylen Muhle (Gretna, Neb.)
Admir Mujkic (Lincoln, Neb.)
Brock Ostdiek (Beatrice, Neb.)
Luke Penrod (Lincoln, Neb.)
Will Potratz (Lincoln, Neb.)
Calvin Sassaman (Wahoo, Neb.)
Gabe Schmidt (Lincoln, Neb.)
Kaden Sears (Blair, Neb.)
Terry Sebek (Hampton, Neb.)
William Swanson (Lincoln, Neb.)
Drake Trent (Yutan, Neb.)
Adam Van Cleave (Columbus, Neb.)
Max Wurdeman (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Coach Daberkow + staff
Patrick Daberkow’s history at Concordia dates back to his first season as a Bulldog football player in 2003. This is Daberkow’s 19th season as part of the program’s staff – 10th as head coach. He served as defensive coordinator for seven years before being named head coach in December 2016. Daberkow assumed offensive play calling duties in 2022 before turning that role over to Greg Nelson, former Lincoln Lutheran head coach, in 2023. Meanwhile, his full-time staff includes Defensive Coordinator Corby Osten, Special Teams Coordinator Trent Laune, Assistant Coach Grady Koch (who specializes in coaching the offensive line, among other duties) and former Nebraska Wesleyan assistant Kevin Crume. The graduate assistants are Tanner Ingle and Grant Huss. Daberkow owns a career coaching record of 52-45. His 52 wins are the fourth most among all head coaches in program history. The top three are Courtney Meyer (70), Larry Oetting (63) and Herb Meyer (62).
Mika bursts past 200-yard rushing mark
A freshman from Aspen, Colo., Dylan Mika continues to shine in the absence of starting running back Carlos Collazo. A product of Aspen High School, Mika did not crack this season’s original two deep. However, he’s taken advantage of his opportunities, beginning with his 75-yard touchdown run on his very first collegiate carry (in the season opener versus Waldorf). In last week’s 37-14 win at Briar Cliff, Mika rattled off 223 rushing yards while finding the end zone three times. The 223 rushing yards represented the ninth highest total for a single game in program history. Over the past two weeks, Mika has carried the ball 48 times for 375 yards and five touchdowns. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound back has totaled 709 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while averaging an impressive 6.8 yards per carry this season. Mika is expected to earn the bulk of the carries versus Midland with Collazo still sidelined by injury.
Top single game rushing totals, program history
1. Carlos Collazo – 283 (2025)
2. Ryan Durdon – 266 (2017)
2. Randy Pospishil – 266 (1972)
4. JaMaine Lewis – 261 (2007)
5. Ryan Durdon – 250 (2018)
6. Cleve Wester – 243 (1985)
7. Cleve Wester – 241 (1985)
8. Bob Voelker – 224 (1962)
9. Dylan Mika – 223 (2026)
10. Phillip Elder – 215 (2004)
Stark nears 2,000 yards passing
With 25 more passing yards, Gideon Stark will hit the 2,000-yard mark for the second straight season. As a fifth-year player, Stark has completed 130-of-240 passes (.542) for 1,975 yards and 20 touchdowns (to go against five interceptions). Stark is the first Concordia quarterback to ever throw for 20-plus touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. In his collegiate career, Stark has amassed career totals of 4,551 passing yards and 42 passing touchdowns. He’s completed 337-of-635 passes (.531) in 26 career games played. Stark has moved into the top five in school history for both career passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Most passing yards in program history, career
1. DJ McGarvie (2021-24): 9,045
2. Jarrod Pimentel (1998-01): 6,435
3. Von Thomas (2011-14): 5,662
4. Rod Giesselmann (1967-70): 5,519
5. Gideon Stark (2022-26): 4,551
6. Kurt Earl (2001-04): 4,158
Van Cleave, Puelz star as receiver tandem
The receiver room is back to full strength with Collin Fritton having played in both the Doane and Briar Cliff wins after he missed the previous four games due to injury. In last week’s victory, Gideon Stark made use of four pass catchers: Fritton (five for 82), Adam Van Cleave (three for 75), Jonny Puelz (three for 52) and tight end Dustin Kapke (three for 43). On the year, Van Cleave has hauled in 55 catches for 759 yards and nine touchdowns, Puelz has snagged 38 receptions for 612 yards and eight touchdowns and Fritton has made 21 grabs for 332 yards and one score. Van Cleave needs 10 receptions on Saturday to reach 200 for his career. The Columbus Lakeview High School product Van Cleave currently owns program all-time rankings of third in receptions (190), tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (21) and fifth in receiving yards (2,337). The Lincoln Lutheran alum Puelz has tallied 71 receptions for 1,220 yards and 17 touchdowns in his collegiate career.
Most career receptions, program history
1. Korrell Koehlmoos (2018-22): 221
2. Austin Jablonski (2022-24): 203
3. Adam Van Cleave (2023-26): 190
4. Ross Wurdeman (1998-01): 168
5. Jared Garcia (2014-17): 161
Most career receiving yards, program history
1. Korrell Koehlmoos (2018-22): 2,894
2. Austin Jablonski (2022-24): 2,723
3. Jared Garcia (2014-17): 2,495
4. Ross Wurdeman (1998-01): 2,458
5. Adam Van Cleave (2023-26): 2,337
6. Clarence Woods (1984-88): 2,011
Rebuilt o-line enjoys strong 2026 season
From an experience perspective, the offensive line entered this season as one of the team’s biggest question marks. Four of the five starters from the 2025 season graduated, leaving left tackle Derek Campbell as the lone returning starter. In 2026, three Bulldogs have started all nine games on the offensive line: left guard Layne Bugarske, center Joshua Luehr and right guard Carter Meier. This past Saturday, Concordia shuffled things up a bit as Meier kicked out to right tackle and Jackson Jenkins opened at right guard (his first start). Campbell has missed two games due to injury and has started the other seven at left tackle. The o-line has helped pave the way for the run game to average 5.0 yards per carry. In addition, the Bulldogs have surrendered only seven sacks to their opponents.
Offensive line starts in 2026
Layne Bugarske – 9 (all at LG)
Joshua Luehr – 9 (all at C)
Carter Meier – 9 (8 at RG; 1 at RT)
Derek Campbell – 7 (all at LT)
Thomas Thomas – 6 (4 at RT; 2 at LT)
Ethan Olson – 4 (all at RT)
Jackson Jenkins – 1 (RG)
Offense continues program’s recent success
The program took a leap forward in recent years as the offense ramped up its production. Former Lincoln Lutheran High School Head Coach Greg Nelson began calling the plays offensively in 2023. With Nelson strategizing, the Bulldogs have averaged more than 30 points per game each season: 30.3 in 2023, 38.5 in 2024, 34.8 in 2025 and 35.3 in 2026. The scoring average in 2024 broke the program record for a single season. During Patrick Daberkow’s tenure, new school records have been set for career passing yards (9,045 by DJ McGarvie) and career receiving yards (2,894 by Korrell Koehlmoos).
Defensive leaders in 2026
Last week’s outing yielded one of Concordia’s top defensive performances of the 2026 season. Coordinator Corby Osten’s unit shut Briar Cliff out in the second half and piled up a season-high seven sacks. The Bulldogs also forced seven punts, limited the Chargers to 319 total yards and allowed them to convert only 1-of-9 third down attempts. Another freshman who has made a significant impact, defensive lineman Tanner Schroder (Lincoln Southwest HS alum) notched two sacks. With nine games in the books, five Bulldogs have reached the 50-tackle mark: Kaden Thompson (65), Drake Trent (60), Deegan Barnes (56), Jett Farwell (54) and Dylan Meyer (51). AJ Frazey paces the team with nine tackles for loss while Trent is the team sack leader with four. A breakout starter in the secondary, Thompson has plucked four interceptions this season. The defense has held three of the last four opponents to 21 points or less. As a major contributor to the defense in his special teams role, punter Braxtyn Koch was recognized on Monday (Nov. 9) as the GPAC Special Teams Player of the Week. Koch boomed a career long punt of 69 yards in the win over Briar Cliff.
Versus in-state opponents
The slate features three in-state rivalry games each season. This fall, the Bulldogs tripped up at Hastings, 38-27, before earning a recent 45-17 home win over Doane. Meanwhile, Midland is hoping to sweep the state this year with wins having been secured over Hastings, 21-14, and Doane, 51-14. Concordia went 3-0 against its in-state rivals as recently as the 2024 season when it won those matchups by scores of 45-10 over Doane, 42-6 over Hastings and 45-13 over Midland. The Bulldogs and Warriors both went 2-1 versus Nebraska foes in 2025.
Around the league
Heading into the final week of the regular season, the GPAC standings show a three-way tie for first place with Dordt, Morningside and Northwestern each at 8-1. The scoreboard for this past Saturday showed Midland over Doane, 51-14, Morningside over Hastings, 24-9, Dordt over Dakota Wesleyan, 44-17, and Mount Marty over Waldorf, 59-14, in addition to Concordia’s 37-14 win at Briar Cliff. This week, Northwestern will host Dordt with at least a share of the GPAC championship on the line. In Sioux City, Morningside will host Briar Cliff. Other conference matchups are Dakota Wesleyan at Mount Marty, Hastings at Doane and Midland at Concordia.
Series vs. Midland
The series with Midland is one of the oldest rivalries in program history. The two sides first met in 1944 in what was then six-man football at the time due to man power needs of World War II. The result that year was a 40-0 Concordia victory. The Bulldogs and Warriors did not play each other again until 1952. Then in 1957, they began playing annually all the way up to the present day (with the exception of 2020 due to a COVID no contest). Midland leads the all-time series, 40-32-1. Following Concordia’s six-game series win streak from 2012 through 2017, the Warriors won five of the past seven matchups. The past two meetings in Seward (2023 and 2025) both went to overtime and both were won by Midland. The Warriors took last year’s contest at Bulldog Stadium, 60-52, in double overtime. In the defeat, the Bulldogs squandered a 38-7 lead they held in the middle of the third quarter. Midland quarterback Brodey Johnson led the comeback with seven touchdown passes. Concordia defeated the Warriors in 2024 in Fremont, 45-13.
Scouting Midland
The Warriors hope to win on Saturday and make one final case for themselves as an NAIA playoff contender. Midland’s signature victory was a 28-16 triumph at then 13th-ranked Northwestern on Sept. 19. The situation for the Warriors is reminiscent of Concordia in 2024 when it went 8-2 in league play (with a win at Northwestern) and was one of the final teams excluded from the postseason field. Head Coach Jeff Jamrog’s 2026 squad likes to throw the ball around the yard with senior quarterback Brodey Johnson, who sports national rankings of first in passing touchdowns (36), second in passing yards (3,053) and fourth in passer efficiency (179.8). Johnson has two highly skilled receivers to throw to: TJ Covington (61 catches, 1,100 yards and 13 TD) and Jurrion Dickey (47 catches, 891 yards, 12 TD). Dickey formerly played at the University of Oregon. The team’s brightest star on defense is returning Second Team All-GPAC linebacker Jay Ballard, who tops the Warriors with 75 tackles and 13.5 stops for loss. A balanced team, Midland ranks in the top 20 of the NAIA in both total offense and defense. The Warriors have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 356-161 this season.