Late Field Goals Doom Defenders

The Doane Tigers got a field goal to end regulation and force overtime and another field goal on their first overtime possession to beat the Dordt Defenders 13-10 on Saturday afternoon, September 24 in Sioux Center, Iowa.

The defensive struggle came down to a defensive stop by the visitors and a couple field goals in a result that saw the Defenders slip to 2-2 in the league and overall.

Dordt scored first after Chip Kasay took away a pass at the Doane 39 and returned it to the 32 on the opening possession of the game. Dordt converted on a third down and 10 play with a Kade McDaniel to Ethan Thomas 11 yard pass and the Defenders eventually scored on a Connor Dodd five yard touchdown run for an eventual 7-0 lead. It was Dodd’s first touchdown of his career.

Dordt had another scoring chance early in the second quarter but Fulton Gunderson’s field goal attempt was blocked.

Doane’s first scoring chance was thwarted with a blocked field goal as well but Cruz Kirwan found Brehan Lambert for a 51 yard score to even the score with 6:52 left in the half. The Defenders managed to block one more field goal and kept the score tied 7-7 at halftime.

Dordt eventually unlocked the tie with a Gunderson 35 yard field goal with 1:02 left in the third and the kick capped a 10 play drive.

The Defenders were able to withstand a couple Doane advances with Meyer missing a 46 yard field goal wide left with 7:50 left in the game. Dordt also got an interception by Dan Jungling, his second of the game, in the end zone with 4:16 left. Doane used timeouts to preserve the clock and got a stop on third down and three, getting ball back on an eventual punt with 3:00 in the game at their own 32. A couple first downs got the ball to the Dordt 46. After a loss of four and a loss of two the Tigers were at their own 49 facing third and 16. Dordt got pressure on the quarterback and appeared to have the play stopped for a loss but a face masking penalty pushed the ball from the 49 to the Dordt 36 and gave the Tigers a first down.

A pass completion to the Dordt 17 put them in field goal range and Meyer connected for the first time in four tries from 33 yards.

In the overtime Dordt moved to the Doane five with Connor Dodd rushing to the four yard line. Facing fourth and goal from the one Dordt went for it and was denied on the run play up the middle. Doane got the ensuing possession and went to the Dordt 21 when Meyer converted a 38 yard field goal for the winning margin.

THE NUMBERS

Dordt outgained Doane 252-214 with 176 yards rushing and 76 yards on the ground.

Dordt’s defense forced three turnovers.

McDaniel and for 73 yards on 18 carries and Connor Dodd had nine carries for 37 yards.

Ethan Thomas caught four passes for 30 yards and Hayden Large had one catch for 29 yards.

Ian MacDonald had five solo and six assisted tackles.

Drew Daum and Abraham Stoesz each ahd tow had two tackles for loss.

Daniel Jungling had two interceptions and Chip Kasay had one.

NEXT

Dordt will have a bye week next week and will travel to Yankton to face Mount Marty on Friday, October 7.

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