GPAC

[Football] No. 22 Dordt Overcomes Tigers Defensive Effort

Doane Football hosted No. 22 Dordt on Saturday, taking on their third straight Top 25 opponent. The Tigers struck early with special teams, however, the Defenders would score the final 27 points to post a 27-7 win over Doane.The Tiger defense held Dordt on their opening possession of the game and forced a punt. Riley Heithoff (SR/Raymond, Neb.) shoved the Dordt block back towards the punter who kicked the ball into Heithoff.  Cooper Bates (SR/Wilber, Neb.) picked up the blocked punt and returned the ball eight yards into the end zone for the first points of the game, just 94 seconds into the game.Midway through the first quarter, Dordt made their way into Tiger territory but it was short-lived. The Defenders attempted a deep pass only to have Donte Wiggins (JR/Colorago Springs, Colo.) take the ball away as he recorded his first interception of the season. Dordt was able to get the short field on their next possession, converted two 3rd-down plays, and scored the game-tying touchdown with 1:19 to play in the opening quarter. The Defenders' next possession came as the second quarter started. Dordt went 62 yards on 12 plays to set up a 22-yard field goal to take the lead.The defenses controlled the middle portion of the quarter, forcing four consecutive 3-and-outs. An interception by the Defenders with 4:19 left in the quarter set up Dordt at the Doane-22. Three plays later, Dordt scored a touchdown to take a 17-7 lead into the break.Both teams were held off the scoreboard in the third quarter though Doane had the best scoring opportunity. The Tigers took the ball down to the Dordt-3, only to have to settle for a field goal that would be blocked.Early in the fourth quarter, Dordt took possession of the ball and moved into Tiger territory. Once again, the Defenders looked to go through the air for a scoring strike only to see Wiggins step in front for his second interception of the day. Dordt was able to get a 4th-down stop near midfield, setting up a touchdown drive as they went 57 yards over six plays to take a 24-7 lead. Dordt added a field goal following a second straight 4th-down stop.Doane's defense held Dordt 100 yards under their season average for yards per game. Wiggins led the Tigers with 13 total tackles, a career-high, in addition to his two interceptions in the game. Ty Barbazon (JR/Ocala, Fla.) added 10 tackles, with one tackle for loss. Joaquim Robinson (SR/Kearney, Neb.) finished with seven tackles including a team-high 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.Offensively, Frazzie Wynn (JR/Lincoln, Neb.) led the Tigers with 49 yards rushing. Lj Butler (FR/San Antonio, Texas) added 22 yards on the ground. Izaiah Celestine (SR/Stockton, Calif.) led the receivers with four receptions, including a couple of highlight-reel catches resulting in 71 yards receiving. Vaughn Martinez (FR/San Antonio, Texas) threw for 139 yards on 12 completions.The Tigers will be back at home next weekend as they host Jamestown at 1 PM for the Homecoming game.