SEWARD, Neb. – The 19th all-time meeting between Concordia and Dordt will take place inside Bulldog Stadium on Saturday. The Bulldogs will attempt to snap a string of eight straight series losses to the defending GPAC champion Defenders. Concordia University, Nebraska Football seeks to build upon this past week’s 42-24 homecoming win over Mount Marty. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s program has won four in a row and eight of its last nine at home.
No. 16 Dordt has come up short twice while up against two top-10 ranked foes in the early going of the 2026 season. The Defenders fell, 38-31, at No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan in their season opener and then were defeated last week by No. 8 Morningside, 35-31. Head Coach Joel Penner’s squad sandwiched a 41-7 drubbing of Hastings between those two results. Penner has led Dordt to at least seven wins in each of the past eight seasons and has established a nationally respected program in Sioux Center, Iowa.
GAME INFO
Concordia (1-1, 1-1 GPAC) vs. No. 16 Dordt (1-2, 1-1 GPAC)
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 1 p.m.
Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: GPAC Network
Live Stats: PrestoStats
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: 48.7 (4th)
Defensive PPG: 23.0 (T-31st)
Total Offense: 490.3 (13th)
Pass Offense: 335.0 (6th)
Rush Offense: 155.3 (45th)
Total Defense: 404.3 (56th)
Pass Defense: 253.0 (T-73rd)
Rush Defense: 151.3 (47th)
Turnover +/-: +5
Dordt
Offensive PPG: 34.3 (28th)
Defensive PPG: 26.7 (41st)
Total Offense: 419 (28th)
Pass Offense: 251.3 (24th)
Rush Offense: 167.7 (35th)
Total Defense: 427.0 (64th)
Pass Defense: 207.0 (49th)
Rush Defense: 220.0 (79th)
Turnover +/-: +1
2026 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (49-42, 10th season)
Passing: Gideon Stark – 71/116 (.612), 1,001 yards, 13 td, 1 int, 166.1 effic.
Rushing: Carlos Collazo – 55 rushes, 250 yards, 4.5 avg, 4 td
Receiving: Jonny Puelz – 18 receptions, 256 yards, 14.2 avg, 5 td
Defense: Kaden Thompson – 21 tackles, 4 int, 2.5 tfl, 2 pbu
Dordt
Head Coach: Joel Penner (73-36, 11th season)
Passing: Noah Strickfaden – 45/84 (.536), 749 yards, 7 td, 1 int, 153.6 effic.
Rushing: Tyler Mantel – 20 rushes, 111 yards, 5.5 avg, 3 td
Receiving: Kaden Harken – 17 receptions, 343 yards, 20.2 avg, 4 td
Defense: Isaac Kacmarynski – 40 tackles, 1 pbu, 0.5 tfl
2026 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (2-1, 2-1 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. Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/3 at Northwestern, 1:30 p.m.
10/10 at Dakota Wesleyan, 1:30 p.m.
10/24 at Morningside, 1 p.m.
10/31 vs. Doane, 1 p.m.
11/7 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
11/14 vs. Midland, 1 p.m. (Senior Day)
Dordt (1-2, 1-1 GPAC)
8/28 at (6) Indiana Wesleyan, L, 31-38
9/5 vs. Hastings, W, 41-7
9/19 at (8) Morningside, L, 31-35
9/26 at Concordia, 1 p.m.
10/3 at Midland, 1 p.m.
10/10 vs. Doane, 1 p.m.
10/17 vs. Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
10/24 at Mount Marty, 1 p.m.
10/31 vs. Waldorf, 1 p.m.
11/7 at Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
11/14 at (13) Northwestern, 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 did not receive votes in the NAIA poll after the loss at Hastings. Meanwhile, Dordt has become a top 25 regular during Joel Penner’s tenure. The Defenders ended 2025 ranked at No. 9 and began 2026 positioned at No. 8. In the latest coaches’ poll released on Monday (Sept. 21), Dordt checked in at No. 16.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 4th
Massey Ratings: 31st
Dordt
GPAC preseason: 2nd
Massey Ratings: 14th
Fritton, Thompson honored by GPAC
Concordia earned two of the three GPAC Player of the Week awards, as announced by the league office on Monday. Senior Collin Fritton was named GPAC Special Teams Player of the Week and junior Kaden Thompson was tabbed GPAC Defensive Player of the Week. The GPAC release can be found HERE.
Team 100
The 2026 season marks the 100th in the history of Concordia University, Nebraska Football. On record, the first official season was 1925 when Professor Walter Hellwege presided over the Concordia Teachers College gridiron squad as its first ever head coach. In the time since then, there have been three years without football, including 1926 and 1927 and 1943 (during World War II). In program history, Concordia has won conference championships in 1929, 1931, 1944, 1945, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1960, 1970, 1981 and 2001. The championship team of ’01 remains the lone NAIA playoff qualifier in program annals. In December 2016, Patrick Daberkow became the 10th head coach in program history.
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 and Assistant Coach Grady Koch (who specializes in coaching the offensive line, among other duties). Former Nebraska Wesleyan assistant Kevin Crume is in his fourth season at Concordia. The graduate assistants are Tanner Ingle and Grant Huss. Daberkow owns a career coaching record of 49-42. His 49 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).
Stark ranks among national passing leaders
Over the season’s first two outings, quarterback Gideon Stark became the program single game record holder for passing touchdowns (eight vs. Waldorf) and passing yards (465 at Hastings). Naturally, the Magnolia, Texas, native ranks among the NAIA’s national leaders in passing yards per game (third, 333.7) and in touchdown passes (T-third; 13). The NAIA’s top two for touchdown passes have both played in four games. Now in his second season as a starter (13 career starts), Stark has compiled career statistics of 3,577 passing yards and 34 passing touchdowns (five rushing TDs) while completing 278-of-511 (.544) attempts. On the program’s all-time lists, Stark has moved up to sixth in both passing yards and passing touchdowns. Gideon continues a long line of family members to have attended Concordia as student-athletes, joining his father Paul (football), mother Kim (volleyball) and extended family, Ken Robbins (football), Nathan Robbins (football) and Stephen Robbins (football). In addition, Gideon’s older sisters, Kara and Shelby, both played volleyball at Concordia. Current freshman Tayden Robbins is a cousin.
Most passing yards in program history, single game
465 – Gideon Stark vs. Hastings, 2026
458 – DJ McGarvie vs. Dordt, 2022
455 – Andrew Perea vs. Northwestern, 2018
413 – DJ McGarvie vs. Northwestern, 2023
Most passing TDs in program history, single game
8 – Gideon Stark vs. Waldorf, 2026
5 – DJ McGarvie vs. Briar Cliff, 2024
5 – Phil Seevers vs. Doane, 1988
4 – achieved by eight different QBs
Collazo returns to form in victory
Standout running back Carlos Collazo is still less than 12 months removed from the ACL tear he endured in the middle of the 2025 season at Midland. This past Saturday, the 5-foot-10, 203-pound back enjoyed his best performance of the ’26 campaign as he rushed 28 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns. The outing marked his fifth career 100-yard rushing game. His two highest single-game rushing totals have come against the Lancers (see below). In 15 career games as a Bulldog, Collazo has carried the ball 240 times for 1,397 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was named a 2025 Second Team All-GPAC award winner despite missing six of 10 games due to injury.
Collazo 100-yard rushing games
283 at Mount Marty, 2025
176 vs. Mount Marty, 2026
171 vs. Midland, 2025
124 vs. Waldorf, 2024
116 at Dakota Wesleyan, 2024
Fritton emerges with big play
When healthy, the Concordia receiver room is loaded. A transfer from NCAA Division III Northern State University in his first season with the Bulldogs, Collin Fritton has made his presence felt. The Lincoln Southwest High School product returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in last week’s win over Mount Marty. Unfortunately, Fritton was forced to leave the game early due to injury. Fellow standout receiver Adam Van Cleave missed the entire game. Quarterback Gideon Stark hopes to soon have his full complement of receivers available to him. The team’s top three pass catchers all have at least 16 receptions this fall: Jonny Puelz (18 for 256 and 5 TDs), Van Cleave (17 for 248 and 3 TDs) and Fritton (16 for 250 and 1 TD). Van Cleave was recognized as a 2025 NAIA Third Team All-American by Victory Sports Network.
O-line shines versus Mount Marty
Concordia appears to have settled on its starting group on the offensive line. For the second game in a row, the first five included left tackle Derek Campbell, left guard Layne Bugarske, center Joshua Luehr, right guard Carter Meier and right tackle Thomas Thomas. Ethan Olson started game one when Campbell was sidelined (versus Waldorf). A graduate student from Geneva, Ill., Campbell is the lone returning starter up front. After surrendering four sacks in the loss at Hastings, the Bulldogs tightened things back up and did not allow a sack versus Mount Marty, while also paving the way for 176 rushing yards for Carlos Collazo. The Concordia o-line surrendered a grand total of seven sacks over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The group is coached by Grady Koch, a former all-conference offensive lineman for the Bulldogs.
The specialists
The Bulldogs returned their kicker (Peyton Atwood), punter (Braxtyn Koch), long snapper (Max Wurdeman) and holder (Braylen Muhle), in addition to the game breaking kick returner Adam Van Cleave. Atwood, Koch and Wurdeman were each named Second Team All-GPAC honorees in 2025. Atwood owns school records for career PATs (138) and longest field goal (50). So far this season, Atwood is 17-for-18 on PATs and 0-for-1 on field goals. Atwood has converted 20-of-28 field goal tries in his career. At punter, Braxtyn Koch is in his third season at the position. He has averaged 37.4 yards on 112 career punts. Koch is the son of former Baltimore Ravens punter Sam Koch (a Seward native).
Longest field goals in Concordia history, on record
50 – Petyon Atwood (2025)
47 – Kenny Zoeller (2011)
46 – Jess Boyd (2001)
46 – John Dumar (1980)
Ball-hawkers
Turnover margin played a significant role in last week’s win. The Bulldogs were plus-four thanks in large part to the ball-hawking efforts of the back end of the defense. Safety Kaden Thompson plucked two interceptions and one apiece came from Tanner Frahm, Luke Penrod and Drake Trent. Frahm picked off Rugby Ryken’s pass on Mount Marty’s first play from scrimmage (and set up a Carlos Collazo touchdown run). Three of the interceptions occurred when the Lancers were in the red zone. A North Platte, Neb., native, Thompson shares the GPAC and national leads with four interceptions this season. He also came away with two picks in the win over Waldorf. Other NAIA players with four interceptions are Dakota Wesleyan’s Trevor Sladky and William Woods’ Carter Holloway.
Experienced linebackers
The linebackers are expected to be leaders on and off the field for the Concordia defense. The group features returning starters in Deegan Barnes, Dylan Meyer and Drake Trent. A transfer and Norris High School product, Meyer shares the team lead (with Treven Weddle) with 22 tackles this season. Meyer has also collected 4.5 tackles for loss. Meyer led all GPAC players last season with 16.5 tackles for loss. Trent came through with a fine effort versus Mount Marty, registering 10 tackles (two for loss), an interception and a pass breakup. A four-year contributor, Barnes has amassed 155 tackles, 14.5 tops for loss and six sacks in his Bulldog career.
Around the league
Based on the NAIA poll, the most anticipated matchups last week involved No. 8 Morningside at No. 11 Dordt and Midland (RV) at No. 13 Northwestern. Morningside rallied to win at Dordt, 35-31, while Midland impressed with a 28-16 road win over Northwestern. In other action, Hastings won at Waldorf, 34-17, and Dakota Wesleyan protected its home turf, 37-3, over Briar Cliff. Midland (4-0, 3-0 GPAC) is the conference’s lone remaining undefeated team. Dakota Wesleyan (3-1, 3-0 GPAC) is unbeaten in conference play. Concordia is one of four GPAC teams currently sporting 2-1 league records. Dakota Wesleyan and Midland will play each other this Saturday in Fremont. Concordia and Dordt will be one of the premiere matchups around the GPAC this week.
Series vs. Dordt
Concordia won nine of the first 10 meetings with Dordt until the Defenders’ current series win streak of eight, dating back to the 2018 season (the other victory in the series for Dordt came in 2008). That leaves the all-time series at an even 9-9. Last year’s snowy matchup in Sioux Center became a late runaway as the Defenders won by a 56-20 score. Dordt’s punishing run game piled up 354 yards. For Concordia, Gideon Stark threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns and Calvin Sassaman ran for 80 yards. Dylan Meyer led the Bulldog defense with 11 tackles. Concordia’s most recent win in the series came by a 24-17 decision at Dordt in 2017.
Scouting Dordt
Joel Penner transformed the Dordt football program upon his arrival prior to the start of the 2016 season. In the program’s previous history (2007-15), the Defenders had never won more than two games in a single season. Under Penner, Dordt qualified for the NAIA playoffs in 2020, 2023 and 2025. Last year’s squad shared the GPAC regular season title with Morningside. The Defenders have become known for their power rushing attack, which churned out 241.2 yards per game in 2025. So far this season, Dordt is averaging 34.3 points per game while having played No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan (38-31 loss) and No. 8 Morningside (35-31 loss) in down-to-the-wire contests. The close calls suggest that the Defenders remain a top 10 caliber team. Penner’s program returned 2025 GPAC All-Conference first/second team honorees in receiver Eliot Beal, safety Cole Johnson, linebacker/long snapper Isaac Kacmarynski, kicker Stephen Leinen, defensive end Zach Quiring, running back/returner Keenan Valverde. Last week versus Morningside, Dordt leaned on the passing game (held to 61 rushing yards) as quarterback Noah Strickfaden threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns. With two losses, the Defenders’ playoff hopes will be on the line every week moving forward.