Football Edged in GPAC Opener

Football hosted Briar Cliff in the GPAC opener on Saturday with the game coming down to an inch of the field. Briar Cliff escaped Crete with a 15-10 win over the Tigers.

Doane scored the first points of the game as Kelen Meyer hit a 31-yard field goal on the opening drive in the first quarter. Briar Cliff took the lead in the second quarter on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Brock Saya to Steven Whiting. The Tigers regained the lead just before halftime as Sam Hartman hit James Miles III on a screen pass and he raced 68-yard for the score. Doane led 10-8 at the break.

In the third quarter, the Chargers regained the lead with the same connection as their first score, Saya to Whiting, from two-yards out. On the final drive of the game, Doane took possession at their 43-yard line. The Tigers were limited to one yard on their first three plays but Hartman connected with Andrew Waido for a 10-yard completion and first down to extend the drive. 

Doane continued to move the ball down field and had the ball at the BCU 3-yard line with first down. On the Tigers' first play, Miles III ran for two yards as he was kept out of the end zone. Following a Doane timeout, the Tigers tried to sneak Hartman into the end zone but despite the push into the end zone he was ruled down an inch away. On the next play attempt, Doane was called for a false start which ran out the clock.

Hartman finished the game with 201 passing yards on 12 completions. Darnell Riley led the team with four receptions as he collected 66 yards, including a 45-yard reception. Miles III rushed for 36 yards and added 68 receiving yards.

The Tiger defense held Briar Cliff to 215 yards of total offense, 164 through the air and 51 on the ground. Lucas Christensen posted 11 total tackles, including three solo. Jarett Boggs added nine total tackles with four solo. Owen Kuntz picked up seven tackles and a sack. Keegan Shuller finished with six tackles and 3.5 sacks, all in the first half.

Doane is back home on Saturday, September 14, when they host Waldorf at 5 PM in Crete.