GPAC

[Football] Northwestern Pulls Away in 4th Qtr to Top Football

Doane Football gave Northwestern all they could handle through three quarters but turnovers eventually caught up to the Tigers as they fell 35-14 to the Red Raiders. Northwestern moved to 4-1 on the year with Doane dropping to 2-4.The Tigers defense played a solid game. Northwestern's five touchdowns consisted of a fumble recovery taken to the end zone, two drives covering less than 25 yards and two covering more than 75 yards.The game opened with the Red Raiders driving down field only to have Cedric Gooch intercept a pass in the end zone. On the next Northwestern possession, the Doane defense held the Red Raiders out of the end zone on 4th down from the 6-yard line.The Tiger offense started with field position inside the 10-yard line on their first two possessions. They were able to flip the field by collecting 23 yards the second time they had the ball and sent a punt to the Northwestern 32-yard line. On the first play of NWC's third drive, Joaquim Robinson (SR/Kearney, Neb.) forced a fumble and Donte Wiggins (SO/Colorago Springs, Colo.) scooped it up. The offense took advantage and on the first play, Adam Wasserman (SO/Fairbury, Neb.) threw to the end zone and connected with Izaiah Celestine (SR/Stockton, Calif.) for a 28-yard score to take the early lead.The Red Raiders held the ball heading into the second quarter and drove into Tiger territory before Cooper Bates (JR/Wilber, Neb.) forced a fumble and WIggins was there for the recovery. Following a Tigers' special team mistake that set the Red Raiders up at the Doane-27, the defense once again came up with a big play as Bates intercepted Tyson Kooima on the first play of the ensuing drive. The defense forced four turnovers in the first half of play.Doane pushed the ball into Northwestern territory before a Tiger fumble led to a 47-yard scoop and score for the Red Raiders. The teams went into the break tied, 7-7.In the third quarter, the Red Raiders scored on their first possession as they went 75 yards on four plays. A 60-yard pass was the key play on the drive, leading to a one-yard score. After forcing Doane to punt, the Red Raiders took the final possession of the quarter and held the ball into the fourth quarter where they would cap off a 9-play, 83-yard drive to go in front 21-7.Midway through the final quarter, the Red Raiders took advantage of a pair of Tiger turnovers. A fumble was recovered at the 4-yard line, leading to a 2-yard score. On the ensuing kickoff, the Tigers fumbled again and Northwestern scored six plays later to lead 35-7.Doane's final possession of the game saw Drake Davidson (SR/Moberly, Mo.) orchestrate a 10-play, 70-yard drive. The Tigers capped the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Davidson to Celestine.For the game, Doane posted 256 yards of total offense. Jacobi White (SR/Grapevine, Texas) led the ground game with 37 yards while Wasserman ran for 34 yards and Jamaine Derogene (SR/Dunedin, Florida) finished with 28. Wasserman threw for 108 yards and one score with Davidson throwing for 45 yards and a score. Celestine led the receivers with four receptions for 70 yards.Bates led the defense with 11 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. Wiggins finished with 10 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Riley Heithoff (SR/Raymond, Neb.) had nine tackles, including two for loss.Following a week off, the Tigers will play Midland on November 7 at 1 PM in Crete.