SEWARD, Neb. – There’s no telling what will happen week-to-week in the GPAC. Seven days after thumping Doane at home, Jamestown found the journey to Seward to be a treacherous one. The Concordia University Football team patched together its offensive line, rolled up 552 total yards and handled the Jimmies, 30-15, inside Bulldog Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 8). DJ McGarvie slung the ball around the yard for 393 yards and Korrell Koehlmoos rose to the top of the program’s all-time receptions list.
Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad has won back-to-back GPAC games after the 0-3 start. The offense has clearly had more juice over the past two weeks.
“It was a team performance. It was just really good to see all sides of the ball chip in,” Daberkow said. “Any time you can have special teams create big momentum with that fake punt, that was huge. Offensively and defensively, we complemented each other. I’m proud of our team for sticking together. This hasn’t been the easiest start to a season. There are so many things left to be played out in this conference.”
To its credit, Jamestown (3-4, 2-4 GPAC) managed to make the game interesting in response to Concordia mounting a 23-0 lead. After the Bulldog offense went three-and-out three straight times in the second half, it rose to the occasion with an eight-play 61-yard drive, capped with Devin Zeigler’s three-yard touchdown rush. That fourth quarter possession was crucial in crushing the momentum the Jimmies had begun to build while rallying back within one score (23-15).
Overall, this was an impressive day for McGarvie and the offense, which was down three starters on the offensive line (due to injury). The Lincoln North Star High School product McGarvie piled up more than 300 yards passing in the first half and finished with the second highest single game passing total in program history. He completed 28-of-41 passes for a touchdown. He also found the end zone himself on a three-yard rush. Said Daberkow, “DJ is a very smart and intelligent football player. I’m really proud of his performance. I’m proud of the whole team for rallying together and making it happen.”
Not surprisingly, Koehlmoos was the top target for McGarvie. The Pilger, Neb., native hauled in 12 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown. His scoring play covered 42 yards on the strike from McGarvie. By day’s end, Koehlmoos had pushed his career reception total to 172, putting him four beyond the previous program standard of 168 by All-American tight end Ross Wurdeman. Koehlmoos also ran for 20 yards on the fake punt.
He's capable of doing it all. Said Koehlmoos afterwards, “I think it’s more of a team record. I can’t do it without the offensive line, running backs, coaching staff, quarterback and the defense giving us more time to get the ball. It’s definitely more of a team record than an individual record – very humbled.”
In McGarvie’s three starts at quarterback this season, Koehlmoos has racked up 38 catches. The team is growing in confidence. Said McGarvie, “We started like this last year and we can do it again this year – finish off on a winning streak. We have that in the back of our minds. We have great leadership in the locker room – people keeping everyone positive on the sidelines, even when we’re down.”
While the offense consistently ripped off chunks of yardage, the Concordia defense enjoyed a fine day in dealing with Jimmie standout quarterback Cade Torgerson. Lukas Coe picked off a pass and the Bulldogs snuffed out all four Jamestown fourth down tries. A key sequence came in the first quarter when the Jimmies failed to get any points after having first and goal at the eight. McGarvie and the Bulldog offense then proceeded to go 99 yards on 14 plays to take a 7-0 lead. Concordia also put together a 97-yard touchdown drive on two plays.
Coe led the team with 10 tackles. Up front, Devon Polley has become a force. He registered 2.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries while anchoring the defensive line. In addition, Michael Grindey made eight stops and Jayzen Armstrong broke up three passes. Torgerson was constantly pressured (four sacks and nine hurries) as he went 25-for-45 for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Jamestown finished with 332 total yards.
McGarvie completed passes to five different receivers on the day. Carsen Arline emerged as another threat and pulled down six receptions for 78 yards. As a versatile weapon, Austin Jablonski caught six balls for 79 yards and had a 14-yard rushing touchdown. Tight end Luke Lang recorded three receptions for 69 yards. On the ground, Zeigler ran for 73 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and Mark Arp added 40 yards on eight rushes. The scoring for Concordia also included a 25-yard field goal by Ty Harold. The Bulldogs moved to 4-1 in five all-time matchups versus Jamestown.
The homestand continues next Saturday (Oct. 15) when the Bulldogs will welcome Mount Marty (2-4, 1-4 GPAC) to Seward for another 1 p.m. CT kickoff. This is year two for the Lancer football program, which went 0-10 in its inaugural season in 2021. In last season’s meeting in Yankton, S.D., Concordia claimed a 38-7 victory over Mount Marty. Next Saturday will be Parents’ Day at Bulldog Stadium.