SEWARD, Neb. – Game week is finally here. For the second season in a row, the Concordia University Football program will go head-to-head with rival Doane to get things started. Both squads are looking to bounce back from below .500 records in 2019. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 6 p.m. CT from Al Papik Field in Crete, Neb., a place where the Bulldogs have not claimed victory since 2005. Originally, Concordia had scheduled a road trip to Mayville State University (canceled due to schedule mandates) to begin the 2020 season.
Head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad went 3-7 overall (3-6 GPAC) in 2019 and was picked seventh in the 2020 GPAC preseason poll. The Bulldogs enter a new season knowing they must improve their productivity offensively and breathe life into a running game that has been stifled over the past two seasons. Concordia expects to employ a typically rugged defensive unit while it breaks in a new starting quarterback – either Blake Culbert or Wyatt Ehlers.
Doane’s four wins in 2019 were the program’s fewest since 2010. Former defensive coordinator Chris Bessler is now in his third season as head coach of his alma mater. The Tigers experienced their own offensive struggles last season, ranking 86th nationally in scoring offense (14.5) and dead last in total offense (211.9). By just a single point, Doane appeared above the Bulldogs at sixth in the GPAC preseason poll. Senior Izaiah Celestine is a big-play threat as a receiver and returner.
GAME INFO
Concordia (0-0) at Doane (0-0)
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 6 p.m.
Al Papik Field | Crete, Neb.
Webcast: News Channel Nebraska Central
Stats: http://www.doaneathletics.com/schedule/0/6.php
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Evan Jones and Ross Wurdeman
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Team Statistics
*2019 national rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 15.6 (81st out of 93)
Defensive PPG: 22.2 (31st)
Total Offense: 280.2 (78th)
Pass Offense: 214.4 (33rd)
Rush Offense: 65.8 (88th)
Total Defense: 335.0 (35th)
Pass Defense: 220.5 (65th)
Rush Defense: 114.5 (16th)
Turnover +/-: +4 (T-30th)
Doane
Offensive PPG: 14.5 (T-86th)
Defensive PPG: 31.3 (62nd)
Total Offense: 211.9 (93rd)
Pass Offense: 146.7 (77th)
Rush Offense: 65.2 (89th)
Total Defense: 419.9 (77th)
Pass Defense: 251.9 (84th)
Rush Defense: 168.0 (60th)
Turnover +/-: -3 (T-57th)
2019 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (12-18, 4th season)
Passing: Jake Kemp – 149/265 (.562), 1,802 yards, 8 td, 12 int, 114.3 effic.
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 158 rushes, 457 yards, 2.9 avg, 4 td; 18 catches, 146 yards, td
Receiving: Cayden Beran – 49 catches, 701 yards, 14.3 avg, 2 td
Defense: Lane Napier – 108 tackles, 10.5 tfl’s, 4.5 sacks, 3 ff, fr, int
Doane
Head Coach: Chris Bessler (10-11, 3rd season)
Passing: Drake Davidson – 120/242 (.496), 1,434 yards, 10 td, 5 int, 108.9 effic.
Rushing: Jamaine Derogene – 92 rushes, 295 yards, 3.2 avg, 3 td
Receiving: Izaiah Celestine – 27 catches, 573 yards, 21.2 avg, 5 td
Defense: Anthony Malone – 61 tackles, 12 tfl’s, 2.5 sacks
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (0-0)
9/12 at Doane, 6 p.m.
9/19 vs. Hastings, 6 p.m.
9/26 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
10/3 vs. Jamestown, 1 p.m.
10/10 at Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
10/17 at Northwestern, 1 p.m.
10/24 vs. Dordt, 1 p.m.
11/7 vs. Morningside, 1 p.m.
11/14 at Midland, 1 p.m.
Doane (0-0)
9/12 vs. Concordia, 6 p.m.
9/19 vs. Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
9/26 at Hastings, 1 p.m.
10/3 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
10/10 at Jamestown, 2 p.m.
10/17 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/24 vs. Northwestern, 1 p.m.
11/7 vs. Midland, 1 p.m.
11/14 at Morningside, 1 p.m.
Fan protocols
Doane’s fan protocols for Saturday’s game can be viewed HERE. Student-athletes suiting up for the game are allowed an allotment of four family members in attendance apiece. Face coverings must be worn by fans in attendance. Fans of the Bulldogs are advised to check COVID-19 related protocols for each road venue prior to traveling for away contests.
In the rankings
The GPAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll was unveiled on Aug. 26. Doane landed at No. 6 (38 points) while Concordia followed closely behind at seventh (37 points). The poll resembled the final 2019 standings. The NAIA did not release an NAIA preseason national poll though Doane and Concordia were unlikely to garner attention nationally. In the current Massey Ratings, the Tigers check in at 36th with the Bulldogs appear at 38th. Concordia last appeared in the national rankings in the preseason of 2017 when it checked in at 20th. Meanwhile, Doane’s most recent national poll appearance occurred in October 2017 when it slotted in at 24th.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 7th
Massey Ratings: 38th
Doane
GPAC preseason: 6th
Massey Ratings: 36th
All-American Napier headlines returners
Senior Lane Napier has attracted the most preseason recognition of any Bulldog – and deservedly so. The inside linebacker from David City, Neb., is easily the program’s most prolific tackler in the GPAC era (see below) with a full season yet to go. Napier has averaged roughly 116 tackles per season and was named an Associated Press All-American in 2018 when he topped the NAIA in tackles (142). This preseason, Napier appeared on All-America teams released by Street & Smith’s and by College Football America. He is a three-time first team All-GPAC honoree and a strong preseason candidate for the 2020 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year award. Napier is the lone returning starter in the linebacker group.
Most tackles, GPAC era
347 – Lane Napier (2017-- )
290 – Sean Stewart (1999-02)
261 – Michael Hedlund (2013-16)
246 – Ben Klein (2008-11)
237 – Jerrod Fleming (2008-11)
234 – Tait Sibbel (2012-15)
Quarterback battle
Another quarterback battle has played out in preseason camp. Now a graduate assistant coach at Fort Hays State, Jake Kemp saw the bulk of the action at that spot in 2019. When the offense takes the field on Saturday, Patrick Daberkow is expected to send out either junior Blake Culbert or sophomore Wyatt Ehlers. Culbert did not throw a single pass in 2019 but actually started the game at Morningside in 2018. On the other hand, Ehlers saw action in seven games (one start) as a true freshman. He threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns in the week two game at Buena Vista. In other words, both quarterbacks have made exactly one career start, yet are still green in terms of game experience. The search for stability has continued at this position since the dynamic Von Thomas graduated in 2015.
Tough defense remains constant
Thankfully, Concordia signal callers have typically had a solid defense to help cover up any mistakes. Over the past 10 years, the Bulldog defense has not ranked any lower than 44th nationally in scoring defense (with a high of sixth in 2013). In three of the past seven years, Concordia has ranked in the top 15 of the NAIA in scoring defense. A rock solid D in 2019 kept the Bulldogs close with most of their opponents despite the offensive struggles. Each of the first four losses in ’19 came by margins of seven points or fewer. All-Americans on the defensive side of the ball in recent seasons have included Lane Napier (2018 and 2019), Tarence Roby (2017), Trey Barnes (2015 and 2016) and Darnell Woods (2013).
Scoring defense ranks, last 10 years
2019 – 31st (22.2)
2018 – 38th (27.1)
2017 – 15th (21.4)
2016 – 28th (24.1)
2015 – 13th (18.7)
2014 – T-44th (27.5)
2013 – 6th (17.3)
2012 – T-30th (22.6)
2011 – T-35th (24.1)
2010 – 36th (23.2)
Deep receiver group
This may be the deepest receiver group Concordia has put together in a long, long time, especially when you factor in skilled pass catching tight ends Brady Fitzke and Garrett Schardt. Four different Bulldogs had at least one 100-yard receiving game in 2019: Art Anderson, Cayden Beran, Lane Castaneda and Korrell Koelhmoos. All of those names return this fall. Beran was a breakout star last season in leading the team with 49 catches for 701 yards. Beran, Fitzke and Schardt were interviewed by the Lincoln Journal Star following this past Saturday’s practice. In that discussion, Beran talked about how he and his roommates raised chickens during the summer.
Long-haired ball-hawks
The long-haired safety tandem of senior Peyton Mitchell and sophomore AJ Jenkins stands out as a major strength on paper. Mitchell (five interceptions, eight pass breakups) and Jenkins (three interceptions, two pass breakups) combined for 18 passes defensed in 2019. A converted receiver, Mitchell garnered second team All-GPAC accolades last fall. The pass defense as a whole did a commendable job while plucking more interceptions (15) than passing touchdowns allowed (14). Mitchell and Jenkins will provide support to two new starting corners that will be broken in on Saturday.
America’s Fullback
Okay, so it’s just a fun tongue-in-cheek story, but Chevy Stout is now more well-known nationally than any other Bulldog on the roster. That happened thanks to a viral tweet by Patrick Daberkow. The tweet gained considerable traction when @BarstoolBigCat retweeted it to his more than one million followers. In a Barstool Sports blog post, Stout was referred to as “America’s Fullback.” He won’t show up a whole lot in the stats (one career catch, no rushing attempts), but Stout has a chance to make a difference in the run game with his blocking abilities. Stout is a senior from Grand Island, Neb.
Run game must improve
For the offense to take the necessary steps forward, the running game absolutely has to get better. It’s been a focus this offseason. After averaging 2.6 yards per rush in 2018, Concordia managed just 1.8 yards per ground attempt in 2019. The offensive line appears to be physically stronger and is certainly more experienced. Four offensive linemen return with starting experience: Cole Baumgartner, Keegan Hornung, Gavin Mull and Johnny Robinson III. Crete native Jonah Weyand will have his opportunities to carry the mail in the backfield. The coaching staff also likes what Houston native Devin Zeigler brings to the table. Daberkow is hoping things will look more like 2017 when the rushing attack churned out nearly 2,000 yards (4.3 per carry).
Series vs. Doane
Doane has had Concordia’s number, triumphing in 13 of the past 14 meetings. The one Bulldog victory during that stretch came in 2017 when Daberkow led his squad to a 29-18 homecoming win over the then seventh-ranked Tigers. The two rivals first met in 1935 and have played each other 64 times. Doane leads the all-time series, 42-19-3.
In last season’s matchup at Bulldog Stadium, Concordia took a 10-7 lead into the fourth quarter before suffering a 17-10 defeat. Lane Napier collected 12 tackles and forced two fumbles in a strong defensive outing for the Bulldogs. A two-yard rush by Kyle Jensen with 9:28 left in the game put Doane in front for good. The slugfest was a sign of things to come for two teams that both struggled offensively in 2019.
Scouting Doane
There are plenty of unknowns on both sides, as would be expected for a season opener. The Tigers do have one luxury that Concordia does not – a returning starting quarterback. Senior Drake Davidson threw 10 touchdown passes last season for an offense that relied mostly on receiver Izaiah Celestine for big plays. Celestine (second team) is one of three returning All-GPAC honorees, joining defensive back Damond Brown (second team) and defensive lineman Riley Homolka (honorable mention). At one point during preseason camp, Doane practice was shut down for more than a week. It returned to practice in late August. Chris Bessler is now in his third season as head coach after taking over for Matt Franzen (now the AD). Saturday will be an intriguing look at which offense has made greater strides in the offseason.