GPAC

[Football] Football Falls in Opener to Ottawa

Doane Football opened their 2019 season under the lights of Papik Field at Memorial Stadium on Thursday night. The game was met with a historical factor, being the first Thursday game since Nov 1948, the day that the stadium was officially recognized as Memorial Stadium in honor of World War I and II veterans who attended Doane.The game, much like that day in 1948, did not go in the Tigers' favor as Ottawa University (Ariz.) posted a 48-7 win over the hometown team. Ottawa took the opening drive 76 yards on seven plays to score the first points of the season.The Spirit added to their lead throughout the first quarter and led 24-0 after 15 minutes of play. The visitors managed 252 yards on offense and went 4-for-5 on 3rd down while Doane was held to 29 yards.Ottawa added 10 points in the 2nd quarter as the Tiger defense began to find their groove. The Spirit gained 129 yards in the quarter, going 2-for-6 on 3rd down and 1-for-2 on 4th down. For Doane, the offense was limited to 43 yards, 34 on the ground, in the quarter.Doane started near midfield to open the 3rd quarter following a 38-yard kickoff return by Izaiah Celestine (JR/Stockton, Calif.). An unsportsmanlike penalty gave the Tigers a first down as they moved into Ottawa territory, however, a fumble ended the Doane drive.Midway through the 3rd quarter, Ottawa drove deep into Tiger territory. A hit by Garrett Thompson (SR/Aurora, Colo.) jarred the ball loose from the Spirit running back and Drew Gladney (SO/Rockwall, Texas) recovered the ball for the Tigers.Ottawa managed 122 yards in offense in the quarter while Doane was held to negative-12. A couple of sacks brought down the Tigers' yardage in the quarter.The Spirit took possession in Tiger territory to end the 3rd quarter and went 45 yards on six plays to score the first points of the second half.Doane's scoring drive in the game followed a defensive stop by the Tigers where they held the Spirit to a 4-and-out, unable to convert on 4th down. The Tigers went 67 yards on 10 plays, primarily on the ground. Kyle Jensen (SR/Exeter, Neb.) ran for 35 yards on the drive and Adam Wasserman (FR/Fairbury, Neb.) added 25 yards rushing and scored from 3-yards out. Bryce Cooney (SR/Omaha, Neb.)'s extra point capped the scoring drive.Ottawa, however, took the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a school-record touchdown which closed out the scoring for the game. The Spirit were held to 64 yards in the final quarter while Doane managed 126 yards, 64 rushing.Jensen led the Tiger ground game with 58 yards. Wasserman added 40 on six carries. Doane notched 94 net yards on the ground for the game. Wasserman led the passing game, completing three passes for 62 yards. Drake Davidson (JR/Moberly, Mo.) completed four for 26 yards and Cameron Quick (FR/Wahoo, Neb.) completed one for four yards.The receivers were led by Kaden Reimers (JR/Palmer, Neb.) and Evan Owen (SO/Woodland Park, Colo.) with two receptions apiece. Josh Baker (JR/Omaha, Neb.) had one catch for a team-best 42 yards. Celestine had one reception for 17 yards and led the Tigers with 101 all-purpose yards (17 rec., 79 kick return, 5 punt return).Defensively, Dante Wiggins (FR/Colorago Springs, Colo.) led the Tigers with nine total tackles, six solo. Warren Horne (JR/Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and Damond Brown (JR/Phoenix, Ariz.) were each in on seven tackles.Kenny Kemp (SO/Winder, Ga.) recorded Doane's only sack of the game, a five-yard loss. Riley Heithoff (JR/Raymond, Neb.) led the team with two tackles for loss.Doane returns to the field a week from Saturday when they open conference play at Concordia on September 7. The game is scheduled for a 6 PM kickoff in Seward.