2017 Football schedule/results
6-4 overall | 5-3 GPAC | Season Stats | Roster
Back from knee injury, Fitzke boosts new offense
When Seth Fitzke blew out his ACL and his meniscus while reach blocking during a practice in the spring of 2016, it could have meant the end. His senior football season loomed just four months into the future. One option was to go all out in rehab and then make a triumphant return and help the Bulldogs make a push for a 2016 playoff berth.
The Seward High School product never did return to the field, deciding that graduation could wait a bit longer. He took a cue from Billy Madison … “Stay here. Stay as long as you can.”
“I wasn’t sure (if I was done playing),” Fitzke said. “There were a lot of unknowns about whether I could push it hard enough and possibly catch some of that upcoming season or if I would end up graduating. There was a lot of uncertainty at the time, but I knew I still wanted to play. I was going to rehab and get through it.”
The 2016 Concordia football team’s loss is the 2017 Concordia football team’s gain. Missing from last year’s offense was a certain tight end that excels at all aspects of the position. He punishes the opposition in the ground game. He can run routes and he can catch the football. There’s a reason why Fitzke collected first team all-conference accolades as a junior in 2015.
The hometown standout is back for one final semester and one last hurrah as a Bulldog. There may be question marks about who will throw the football and who will carry it, but Fitzke’s return will help settle an offense that will have a different look under the controls of first-year offensive coordinator Thomas Byrd.
“It’s huge to have him back,” said head coach Patrick Daberkow. “He’s dynamic as a receiving threat and that changes things schematically for defenses. As good as he is at catching the ball and as big of a target as he is, he’s just such a good perimeter and downhill blocker. We’ll have a lot of different ways that we’ll use him. What’s great about him is he’s all about what’s best for the team.”
Fitzke is comparable to his former Seward High and Concordia teammate Trey Barnes in the way that he has transformed his body as a collegiate athlete. At 6-foot-4 and built like a Nebraska Cottonwood, Fitzke is perhaps the team’s most physically imposing presence.
The Kansas born Fitzke has had no problem adjusting to the increased intensity in the weight room that has been emphasized by Daberkow and strength and conditioning coordinator Todd Berner. Fitzke tipped the scales at 230 pounds when he entered his freshman year at Concordia. Since then he’s added several pounds of muscle. His work ethic helped him essentially make a full recovery from major knee surgery in five months.
“He’s lifted like crazy,” Daberkow said. “He’s always in the weight room. He has packed on a lot of good weight and he’s done it without losing speed. It’s a testament to what Todd Berner does with our guys in the weight room. Seth has really blossomed under Coach Berner.”
By late last fall, Fitzke felt ready to return to the field. However, Fitzke and the coaches agreed that he would only burn his last season of eligibility if Concordia could put itself in the running for a NAIA playoff berth. Things didn’t quite come together in that fashion.
Instead, Fitzke waited until this spring to put the pads back on. He’s now fully healthy and chomping at the bit for a return to game action. It’s good news for Concordia quarterbacks and ball carriers – not so good for the opposition. The year off even helped Fitzke improve his own understanding of the intricacies of college football.
“Watching the games I ended up picking up a lot more stuff than I thought I would,” Fitzke said. “I focused on guys’ stances and how they leaned towards the ball and what gaps they were going to. I would say the biggest advantage I have is how bad I want to play now. I really want to get back out there. I miss it a lot. Sitting there and watching a whole season is pretty rough.”
Fitzke has the mentality of an old school, bring-your-lunch-pail type of football player. He talks about wanting to be a dominant blocker first and foremost. Fitzke’s run blocking prowess will surely help a ground game that will need a boost with the loss of prolific running back Bryce Collins. Not even once did Fitzke talk about catching the ball in regards to his role. He can do that, too. He has 31 catches and four touchdowns in his career.
“If you can’t block, you can’t play,” Fitzke said. “Being a dominant blocker is what we’re stressing this year. There are a lot of single blocks in our offense. You have to beat the guy across from you. The run game is where us tight ends have to be dominant.”
Fitzke says he and his offensive teammates went through an adjustment phase during spring ball. They had to learn Byrd’s offense while getting accustomed to a new head coach. (Said Fitzke, “We wanted Coach Daberkow to be our new head coach. We were all psyched when we found out.”) In Fitzke’s case, his role will be largely the same as it was prior to his injury. He’ll be the same do-it-all tight end capable of lining up all over the field.
Fitzke and receiver Jared Garcia will be a difficult tandem to handle in the passing game. Fitzke will give this year’s team more of an ability to stretch defenses in the middle of the field. (An added bonus this season for Seth will be the opportunity to play with younger brother Brady, a transfer from the University of Nebraska-Kearney).
“We’ll use him as a traditional tight end, we’ll motion him around and we’ll use him in a lot of different spots in our formations,” Daberkow said. “It won’t be unlike what he’s done in the past. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, but he does open up our playbook a little bit with some of the stuff that he can do.”
One theme this offseason has been finishing. Finish in the weight room. Finish plays. Finish games. If all Bulldogs follow Fitzke as an example, Concordia football will be successful in 2017.
Top five: greatest Concordia football moments
NOTE: The act of ranking the top moments in the history of a Concordia football program that dates back to 1925 is a subject exercise. The hope is that this list will spark debate while allowing fans of the Bulldogs to relive some of the most glorious moments in Concordia football history. For this list, only specific athletic accomplishments were considered. The list dives deep into the archives, going all the way back to the program’s birth before fast forwarding nearly 100 years later. Many details provided below were extracted from the book, Cultivating Men of Faith and Character: The History of Concordia Nebraska Football, written by Director of Athletic Communications Jake Knabel. Feel free to email with questions or comments: jacob.knabel@cune.edu.
1. Arkie the touchdown king
One of the greatest individual seasons in program history happened to occur in 1931 when the great Bernard “Arkie” Arkebauer totaled a still standing school record of 19 touchdowns. Arkebauer pulled off an extremely rare feat of leading the 1930 Concordia High School team to a perfect 6-0 record and then the Concordia Teachers College gridiron gang to a 7-0 mark in ’31.
A Broadcaster magazine piece in 1930 described Arkie, also known as the “Haven Havoc,” with the following account of the then high school senior. “There goes a man through the line. Too bad, two men are on him at the six-yard line. But there are the raised arms of the referee. The man scored. That was Arkebauer! Bernard Arkebauer, fullback, from Haven, Kansas, big, with black, kinky hair, is the boy who has been doing things like that all season. We can quite confidently say without delving into past records of Concordia gridiron heroes, that Arkebauer has set up a record that will be good for quite a number of seasons. He scored thirteen touchdowns and five extra points in six games. These touchdowns have been made in almost any method possible. Long runs, crashing plunges, snaring passes are all in his point-producing repertoire. Then on the defense he comes through with such tackles, and long, high punts. And he is not one of these stars who plays well one game then has an off day. He has played superior football in every game and finished with a flashing game at Bethany. True, he had a good, fighting line to help him, but when a lugger is tackled on the six-yard line and then goes over for a touchdown, that’s not a line, that’s Arkebauer!”
Arkie owns the top spot for excelling on both sides of the ball for one of two teams in school history to play at least seven games without suffering a loss. Arkie’s compelling story survived in written accounts only, but his greatness was recognized by all who had the pleasure of watching him. In 1949, a group of 45 alums voted on an all-time Concordia football team. Arkebauer topped all vote getters.
2. Wurdeman stings Bees with 32-yard touchdown catch
There were a series of memorable moments that occurred during the 2001 GPAC championship season. When the stakes were highest, head coach Courtney Meyer’s squad counted heavily upon All-American tight end Ross Wurdeman. There may not be a single more significant play in program history than the one Wurdeman made early in the second quarter of Concordia’s first round playoff home game with St. Ambrose (Iowa) on Nov. 17, 2001. In the signature play of his career, Wurdeman caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jarrod Pimentel on a third-and-16 scenario. The Columbus, Nebraska, native faked a pitch on a designed hook-and-ladder, then spun around and raced to the end zone, putting Concordia up 21-20. The Bulldogs went on to win, 31-26, while defending their home turf. Wurdeman caught nine passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns that day. Meyer’s squad ended the season with a 10-2 record, setting a new program standard for wins in a single year. The 2001 team remains the only one in Concordia football history to win the GPAC (began in 2000) and to reach the NAIA playoffs.
Wurdeman (or “Ross the Hoss” as Meyer liked to say), named to the NAIA all-decade team of the 2000s, was the team’s biggest offensive star after beginning his collegiate career as a defensive end. The two-time first team NAIA All-American caught 48 passes for 647 yards and seven touchdowns during the campaign that ended the program’s 20-year conference title drought. He was known for catching anything thrown in his vicinity.
3. Shocking the Bobcats
Head coach Larry Oetting’s 1981 team was for real – and it proved it early in the season when it played at fourth-ranked Peru State, which featured a once-in-a-generation running back in Al Holder. The Bobcats expected to run all over the underdog Bulldogs, but Scott Smith and a smothering defense had another thing coming. Smith enjoyed a monster game, recording 17 tackles and a sack while repeatedly frustrating Holder.
As assistant coach Dean Vieselmeyer recalled, “We were saying, ‘How in the world are we going to beat these guys?’” In scouting the Bobcats, Courtney Meyer, then an assistant, and Vieselmeyer noted that they typically ran just one or two plays while trying to disguise them in multiple formations (the detail-oriented Vieselmeyer believed it to be a total of 132 formations). The staff then used its scout team to mimic Peru State all week long at practice. They coached their defense up to a point that Bulldog defenders were easily calling out plays just by diagnosing the alignment of the offense. The scouting paid off. Concordia defeated Peru State, 20-9, as part of a 9-1 record that season. Oetting led his team to a Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title, ending what had been an 11-year conference championship drought for the program. The team’s biggest star was nose guard Gary Pomerenke, the NIAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Not only was Larry Oetting an influential head coach at Concordia, he was one of four Oetting brothers to play at Concordia. The eldest brother Gene began the pipeline to Seward. The brothers grew up in Emma, Missouri, a town of roughly 200 people. Bob Oetting even had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Rams. The Oetting brothers, including the youngest, Dennis, helped the program win conference titles in 1951, 1952, 1960 and 1962.
4. Nation’s longest win streak dies in Seward
In his first game as head coach at Concordia, John “Sid” Seevers was faced with the daunting task of going up against a Doane College team that entered the 1970 season with an active 38-game unbeaten streak, the longest at the time of any college football program, at any level, in the nation. Weeks prior to the game, Seevers told Doane assistant coach Ray Best, “If you don’t play good football, you’re going to get beat bad, and if we play really good football, this game is not going to be close.” Seevers knew something a lot of people would soon realize: the 1970 team was good, really good. A massive crowd of 6,800 people (according to a newspaper story) flocked to Bulldog Stadium for the season opener. Perhaps overconfident, Doane got flattened with a humbling 35-0 defeat. Concordia blew the game open with 20 fourth-quarter points to shock head coach Al Papik and the Tigers. In a story written a year later by theLincoln Evening Journal, Best commented, “We were stunned. We were real disappointed in ourselves that the score was so lopsided. There was a great deal of pressure and it just caught up with us and exploded all at once.”
The 1970 squad completed the season at 8-1 overall, allowing it to claim the Nebraska Intercollegiate Conference championship in the first year of the league’s existence. One of the more dominant teams in school history, the 1970 group outscored its opponents by a combined total of 286-96. Only one of its eight victories came by less than an 18-point margin.
5. Hellwege brings football to CTC
None of the aforementioned moments would have been possible if not for a trailblazer like Walter Hellwege, who immediately became a member of the Concordia Teachers College faculty upon his graduation in 1919. Hellwege stands to this day as arguably the most influential figure in the history of Concordia athletics. He coached the football team officially for 16 years. CTC first began competing with other colleges in 1925. Hellwege, who also became Director of Athletics, held the role of head coach until 1940. Consider the following passage for a clearer view of Hellwege’s impact.
“(In 1919) the students asked Professor Hellwege to take over the duties of coaching teams. Since he had never participated in football, baseball or basketball as a student, the request was unexpected and he hesitated. But at the insistence of the students, he consented to try. He enrolled for a nine-hour course in the fundamentals of various sports, with the coaching staff of the University of Nebraska. Armed with this experience, he began to coach teams in basketball and football and helped to organize a junior college conference with three other Lutheran colleges in Nebraska: Dana, Luther and Hebron. Since there were only four teams in the conference, each team faced each of the others twice each season. With this beginning of intercollegiate competition, Hellwege immersed himself in earnest in the study of offense, defense and every type of strategy that might contribute to the building of successful teams.”
Honorable mention: The Bulldog Meyer leads unprecedented run
Like Hellwege, Herb “The Bulldog” Meyer wore many hats during his time at Concordia, which included a playing career that overlapped with Arkie. The final six seasons of the Meyer era (1941-54) saw the Bulldogs go a combined 41-8-3 with three conference titles. The CTC icon first arrived in Seward in a professional capacity in 1938 when he became head coach of the Concordia High School basketball team. Meyer’s full scope of service may be unparalleled in Concordia’s history. Not only did he take over as football coach in 1941, he filled Hellwege’s vacancy as athletic director and coaching positions for every college team for an undermanned athletic department. Furthermore, Meyer served as college dean of men and taught a full course load. He also steered the football program through World War II and led the 1944 squad to an 8-0 mark.
Boise State alum ready to take command of Bulldog offense
Thomas Byrd knows a good thing when he sees it. Byrd identified Boise State University as one of those good things even before the famed Statue of Liberty play that lifted Boise State to a shocking win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. Just three years later, Byrd would help the Broncos to another Fiesta Bowl victory after turning down scholarship offers from the likes of San Jose State and Southeast Missouri State.
“Boise was one of the first schools to offer me actually,” Byrd said. “Once they won the Fiesta Bowl, everyone was freaking out. ‘You’re going to Boise!’ I committed way before they won the Fiesta Bowl.”
A four-year starting center for former head coach Chris Petersen’s Boise State program, Byrd is about to tackle his first season as a collegiate offensive coordinator after two seasons as the offensive line coach at NCAA Division II New Mexico Highlands. The native of San Pablo, Calif., began installing his offense this spring with designs on boosting a unit that averaged 25.8 points per game in 2016.
Byrd liked what he saw from standouts such as receiver Jared Garcia and tight end Seth Fitzke, but his decision to accept head coach Patrick Daberkow’s job offer was more about fit. Byrd wanted to be part of a program that did it the right way and one where he could feel comfortable professing his faith.
“I told myself that the next school I go to, there are going to be some things that I want,” Byrd said. “One of the things I wanted was to have people around me that are like-minded and that live for Christ. There are a lot of people that say they believe in Christ, but their actions don’t hold up accordingly. I wanted to be in a community where people hold each other accountable. When I showed up here, that was one thing that stood out. Everyone is nice from the custodians to the president. I knew this was a place I could come to and not be scared about my faith.”
Those words are music to the ears of Daberkow, who put his staff together, including defensive coordinator Corby Osten and special teams coordinator Wes Coomes, with those sentiments in mind. Of course, the Boise State background of having played for one of college football’s most successful coaches stands out as an obvious plus.
But more importantly, Byrd is a spiritual and philosophical fit. Accountability has been one of the buzzwords of the offseason – and Byrd is all about it. He is also emphasizing an up-tempo style while bringing an obvious intensity to the practice field. He knows how to command a room.
“He aligns philosophically with the rest of our staff as far as how to build men to be prepared for life after football,” Daberkow said. “He also aligns philosophically with what we want to be as an offense as far as tempo and pace. He’s very much in the same school of thought as I am.”
Byrd excels at making good first impressions. Let’s rewind back to Byrd’s days as a prep at McClymonds High School in Oakland. In regards to his prospects of playing at the NCAA Division I level, Byrd’s biggest drawback was his lack of size. Because he stood at 6-foot even, many of the big name programs overlooked him. That quickly changed when Byrd made a splash while up against several more highly touted recruits at a Nike combine.
“I had a really good combine and went against some good athletes,” Byrd said. “Everyone was watching these d-linemen that were ranked near the top of the nation and I was beating them. Everyone was wondering who this short guy was who was beating all these top d-linemen. From there I started getting offers.”
That ‘short guy’ snapped footballs for record setting quarterback Kellen Moore (current member of the Dallas Cowboys) and was a rock for the 2009 Boise State team that went 14-0. When you play for a program like that, you just aren’t used to losing.
There may be some growing pains that come with a new system and new terminology, but Byrd will have high expectations for an offense still looking to develop its own version of Kellen Moore.
“We have a lot of good football players on that field,” Byrd said. “We need to make sure we don’t overthink things and try to put our players in situations where they can prevail. I’m impressed with the guys that we have between Jared Garcia and Seth Fitzke. As an offensive line, I think we had a pretty good spring. We obviously have a good battle at quarterback. We’re just trying to figure out who’s going to be the guy. It’s a different offense than what they’re used to, but we saw them pick up on it.”
Garcia is a talent that can be adapted to most any offense. The school’s all-time leader in touchdown catches has quickly grown to respect the new offensive coordinator. Garcia says the offense will be an unpredictable one for opponents.
“Coach Byrd is a coach with a vision,” Garcia said. “He wants the best out of his players and is always pushing us to be better. He is a very personable man that wants you to come hang out and talk in the office. He is very up front with his expectations, which is good for us as his athletes because there is no question what he is looking for.”
Byrd found what he was looking for at Boise State and then again at Concordia. The man who stashes Little Debbie cakes in his office has hopes of bringing plenty of treats to Bulldog football. But Byrd is here to do more than offer snacks to his athletes. He wants to share in his faith – and win some football games along the way.
Q&A with D'Mauria Martin
What went into your decision to come to Concordia?
I got here and it was a little bit of a culture shock. I didn’t really know where Nebraska was coming from Texas. I got here and got around the people. They’re really generous and nice. They care about you. That’s one thing that made me commit here. It’s close-knit. It’s truly like a family away from home.
What were the toughest adjustments for you at college?
Being by myself. I had to depend on myself. I didn’t have any family around. And the weather. The weather was one of the toughest things, especially the winters. When it got into the negatives, I didn’t know what to do.
What do you tell incoming players from warm weather areas about how to deal with it?
I tell them first of all to get a jacket and some boots. That’s the first thing I tell them. Make sure you’ve got that. Plan to be here for four years.
What was your reaction like when you found out that Patrick Daberkow was promoted to head coach?
I enjoyed it. When Coach (Vance) Winter stepped down, I heard his name was in the running. I wanted him to be our head coach immediately right after that. He’s passionate about what he does and what the Bulldogs mean to him. I used to wear other colleges’ stuff and he used to get on me so much about it. He just strives for the Bulldogs to be successful. That’s one thing I appreciate about him. His demeanor never changes. He could be made at me or happy. He always teaches life lessons when he talks. That’s one thing I appreciate.
What are some of the biggest changes that have occurred since Coach Daberkow became head coach?
Accountability. He talks about it all the time. That’s one thing he has stressed. He has made people run for it. Just be accountable and honest. Our discipline has changed a lot.
You’ve played on some pretty good defenses the last few years. What do you think has made this program so successful on that side of the ball?
It’s how close we are. We all come together. It’s going to be hard to stop us if we’re all on the same page communication-wise. It’s just us having fun. That’s what we love doing on the defensive side. You can tell on Saturdays.
You’ve played opposite Tarence Roby at the cornerback spots. Is there a friendly rivalry between the two of you? What’s that relationship like?
Me and Robe don’t really have any rivalries. But if he catches a pick, I want to catch a pick. That’s a competition between us, but we just strive for the defense to do well. It doesn’t matter if he makes a play or I make a play. We all just come together and play. We don’t really care about stats, but we both want to be, at the end of the season, first team.
Everyone talks about how big high school football in Texas is. What can you say about the experience you had in high school?
It was an experience that I’ll probably never feel again, playing in front of so many people and the atmosphere of it. The atmosphere of high school in Texas is just spotlights. I played on TV plenty of times. It’s electric in the air all the time. I like having the spotlight on myself, especially on the field. In high school I enjoyed that.
Some people are going to look at the losses on the defensive side of the ball when you lose guys like Trey Barnes, Michael Hedlund, Le’Dontrae Gooden and Cory Evans. Some good players have moved on, but how impressed are you with some of the guys that have a chance to fill those roles?
I’ve been very impressed with a lot of our younger guys. Coach O (Corby Osten) told me we only had three remaining starters from last year. I didn’t know that. I was like, ‘Wow.’ This offseason I’ve been pushing the younger guys like, ‘It might be your time. If you want it you have to go get it.’ A lot of people have stepped up. A lot of them are here in the summer working out with us because they know it’s nitty-gritty time. It’s almost season time. We’re not going to take a step down from where we’ve been. We’re going to keep striving forward.
What do you want the 2017 team to look like and to be remembered for?
How fast we play and how fun it is to watch us. We’re going to fly around and we’re going to have fun. We might make mistakes here or there, but we’re going to have fun doing it. We’re going to stop people. I want us to be remembered as one of the top defenses ever to play at this school. That’s what I want us to be. I just want us to have fun.
Quick hitters …
Most memorable game at Concordia?
We lost the game, but it was my sophomore year when we played Doane here in overtime. That was probably one of the most fun games I’ve played. The atmosphere was electric. It was a pretty big game.
Favorite professional sports team?
For NBA it’s the Spurs. For NFL it’s the Ravens and the Cowboys.
Famous athlete or celebrity you’d like to meet?
LeBron James.
Favorite thing about living in Nebraska?
The freedom I have. It’s open. I don’t really have anybody bothering me or anything like that.
What do you miss most about Texas?
The food. Authentic Mexican food. I miss that every morning. Breakfast tacos – I miss that.
Funniest teammate?
That’s pretty tough. There are a lot of goofy ones on the team. I’d have to say Deion Staley or Vincent Beasley.
Favorite home cooked meal?
Mine would be fried pork chops with some collard greens and mac and cheese with peach cobbler on the side.
Best pure athlete on the team?
That’s a tough question. I’m going to say myself, but in honesty it would probably be (Tarence) Roby.
Favorite cartoon character?
SpongeBob.
Best advice you’ve received?
Stay positive. Keep pushing forward. I’ve heard it up here and I heard it in high school.
Biggest pet peeve?
Not matching what you dress. I don’t know why but it’s just something that gets to me sometimes.
Do you have to play fashion police with your teammates?
I do that all the time. If you look funny, I’m going to tell you.
If you could only be on one social medium, which would you choose?
I don’t really do a lot of it, but it would probably be Snapchat.
If you had to give away all of your electronic devices but you could only keep one, what would you keep?
PS4. I have to keep that. I don’t care about my phone. I need my PS4. I play it all the time.
GPAC Football Media Day Notebook 2017
AUDIO: Patrick Daberkow Q&A with Tyler Cavalli
SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. – For each of Patrick Daberkow’s previous 10 seasons as an assistant coach at Concordia, he sat back and listened as either Courtney Meyer or Vance Winter took the podium at the annual GPAC Football Media Day. But on Thursday (Aug. 3), Daberkow took his turn as one of nine GPAC head coaches under the microscope at the 18th annual event. Daberkow spent roughly eight minutes addressing the media during the press conference held at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City, Neb.
Based on the league’s preseason polls conducted on Thursday, Daberkow’s first team is expected to place either fifth (coaches) or sixth (media) in the GPAC. Concordia is coming off a fourth-place finish in 2016.
Daberkow expressed a passion for winning, but also about building men who are followers of Christ.
“Regardless of his background or what his history is, while he’s here I’m going to point him to Jesus because He changed my life,” Daberkow said. “I want our players to be anchored in something that can’t be stripped from them. That’s an identity in Him.”
Daberkow one of league’s two new head coaches
Daberkow joins Briar Cliff’s Dennis Wagner as the newest head coaches in the conference. Daberkow is just the 10th head coach for a Concordia football program that first engaged in intercollegiate competition in 1925. Daberkow is the program’s sixth head coach to have graduated from Concordia. The others alums to take the leading role were Walter Hellwege (1925-40), Herb Meyer (1941-54), John Seevers (1970-76), Larry Oetting (1977-89) and Courtney Meyer (1990-2008).
Meanwhile, Wagner was announced as the Charger head coach on Feb. 14. Wagner spent the previous five years as associate head coach and offensive line coach at Liberty University. From 2004-07, Wagner worked as offensive line coach at the University of Nebraska. His coaching stops have also included Western Carolina University and Fresno State University, among several others.
Daberkow was the players’ choice to assume the leading role after eight-year head coach Vance Winter stepped aside from his post following the 2016 season. Director of Athletics Devin Smith introduced Daberkow as head coach in front of a gathering of players and staff on Dec. 9.
Tight end Seth Fitzke: “We were pumped (when Daberkow was hired as head coach). We were all very excited. We had a couple players’ only meetings about the offseason and the coaching situation. We had no idea who was going to be our coach, whether some coach might come in and clean house. We knew Coach Daberkow was interviewing. We wanted Coach Daberkow to be our new head coach. We were all psyched when we found out.”
Defensive back D’Mauria Martin: “I wanted him to be our head coach immediately right after (Vance Winter resigned). He’s passionate about what he does and what the Bulldogs mean to him. I used to wear other colleges’ stuff and he used to get on me so much about it. He just strives for the Bulldogs to be successful. That’s one thing I appreciate about him. His demeanor never changes. He could be made at me or happy. He always teaches life lessons when he talks. That’s one thing I appreciate.”
Accountability. Toughness. Authenticity.
Daberkow has been preaching these three words ever since he’s been hired. He repeated them again on Thursday. Said Daberkow, “At Concordia Football, we’re building men through accountability, toughness and authenticity.” Basically, Daberkow wants his players to do the simple things well. Daberkow drove this point home during his speech while borrowing a line from former NFL head coach Tony Dungy, who said, “Champions don’t do extraordinary things, they do ordinary things better than anyone else.” Said Daberkow, “That really resonates with us and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
In the polls
Expectations have risen considerably for the Bulldogs since early in Vance Winter’s tenure. Pegged 10th in the conference poll in both 2009 and 2010, Concordia received its highest ever GPAC preseason placement of third a year ago. This time around, the Bulldogs appeared in a tie for fifth in the coaches’ poll with a total of 35 points. Concordia has finished fourth in each of the last two years.
View 2017 GPAC preseason polls
Concordia in GPAC preseason coaches polls
2017: T-5th (finished ??)
2016: 3rd (finished 4th)
2015: 6th (finished T-4th)
2014: 4th (finished T-6th)
2013: 7th (finished 5th)
2012: 8th (finished 7th)
2011: 7th (finished 8th)
2010: 10th (finished 8th)
2009: 10th (finished 10th)
2008: 6th (finished 11th)
2007: 8th (finished 6th)
2006: 8th (finished 9th)
2005: 6th (finished 4-6 in GPAC)
2004: 8th (finished 6th)
Preseason national ranking?
The Concordia football program last received a preseason national ranking prior to the 2002 campaign. Following a co-GPAC championship season in 2001, the ’02 Bulldogs checked in at No. 12 in the preseason poll. Last season in Vance Winter’s final one as head coach, Concordia finished 19th thanks to a 7-3 overall record. In the NAIA’s spring poll released on April 10, 2017, the Bulldogs landed at No. 20. Concordia has found itself inside the national top 25 in at least one poll in three of the past four years. During that time, the Bulldogs have climbed as high as 14th, where it jumped to in mid-October of 2013.
Defensive makeover
With eight starters to be replaced on defense, Daberkow acknowledged there was work to do in order for this year’s team to live up to the standards set by top-five national defenses in 2013 and 2015. The returning starters are seniors D’Mauria Martin and Tarence Roby in the secondary and junior linebacker Kordell Glause. The defensive line will have an entirely new look with All-American Trey Barnes and company having moved on. Daberkow does not appear particularly concerned about the transition on defense. Said Daberkow, “They have some stuff to prove, but they can get the job done.”
Byrd, Osten, Coomes align on Daberkow’s first staff
Daberkow has assembled a full-time staff that includes offensive coordinator Thomas Byrd, defensive coordinator Corby Osten and special teams coordinator Wes Coomes. Both Osten and Coomes were promoted from within. Meanwhile, Byrd made his way to Seward from his previous stop at New Mexico Highlands University. Byrd is a Boise State University alum.
Cover boys
This header really is just an excuse to use an unforgettable quote from three-time All-American safety Sean Stewart. A 2016 inductee into the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame, Stewart is featured on the back cover of this year’s media guide. Now a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, Stewart told the audience during his Hall of Fame speech, “When I hit someone, I tried to take their soul.” Stewart played for the 2001 GPAC championship and NAIA playoff qualifying team. He is the program’s all-time leader with 20 career interceptions.
Appearing on the front of the cover are receiver Jared Garcia and defensive backs D’Mauria Martin and Tarence Roby. All three are seniors and all three have been first team all-conference selections at least once. Garcia has a chance to completely rewrite the receiving record book at Concordia. He already owns school records for touchdown catches in a season (11) and for a career (29). With 2,188 career receiving yards, Garcia is closing in on the program standard of 2,458 set by former All-American tight end Ross Wurdeman. Meanwhile, Martin and Roby make for one of the premier defensive back duos in the GPAC and perhaps the nation. Daberkow called Martin one of the smartest football players he’s ever coached and made reference to Garcia’s 305-pound hang clean this offseason.
Von makes return to alma mater
This summer Von Thomas made his way back to Seward and took on the position of Multicultural Program Specialist and Assistant Director of Student Life. The 2015 Concordia graduate will coach running backs as part of Daberkow’s staff. Thomas enjoyed a record-setting career on the gridiron. The Miami, Fla., native piled up program career records of 7,260 total yards of offense and 65 total touchdowns while starting at quarterback in each of his final three seasons. He also left Concordia with school single-season records for touchdown passes (21), total offense (2,508), completions (197), passing attempts (334) and completion percentage (59.0). He owns additional career program standards for passing touchdowns (49), completions (510), pass attempts and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,598).
Said Daberkow, “He understands football. He understands student-athletes. The University recognizes that. His full-time role is as a liaison between students on campus and faculty and staff. He’s really skilled in bridge building. We expect that from him on the football staff as well.”
New voice of Concordia football
Jayson Jorgensen has moved on to become the play-by-play voice for University of Nebraska-Kearney football after two years calling the action for Concordia on 104.9 Max Country radio. In his place steps Tyler Cavalli, who last season worked as the color commentator for Bulldogs football and as the play-by-play man for men’s and women’s basketball. Cavalli also hosts the weekly Bulldog Coaches Show that will air every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT throughout the 2017-18 athletic year.
Cavalli, who called all the action during the women’s basketball team’s run to the 2017 national semifinals, is prepared to thrive in the football play-by-play role. Cavalli was in attendance at Thursday’s media day.
Daberkow media day transcript
I want to echo everyone else’s thanks to Corey (Westra) and Lucas (Mohrman) and the work they’ve put in and to the Marina Inn. I want to thank our staff. Being a first-year head coach, assembling a staff was the first thing to do. We have a group of guys that love to have fun and have thick skin. We believe the same things about the sport of football and what it can do in the lives of young men. I believe coaching football is one of the most important jobs, if not the most important job, in our country. Our world needs men who are more prepared for life. A big thing to prepare a man for life is learning self-sacrifice in a me generated world. Outside of the military, I don’t think there is anything that does that better than being on a football team, as far as teaching self-sacrifice and preparing a young man for the obstacles and the responsibilities that are ahead of him.
Our staff works really hard on the field, in the office and in the weight room. We try to work equally hard when we get home, in our roles as husbands and fathers. We all, for the most part, have young families so finding balance is important. I don’t know how well we do at that, but we have a group of understanding wives and families who are definitely in it with us.
I want to thank Vance Winter. In 2009, he took over a football program that was not the same kind of football program that I’m getting the keys to. He put in a lot of countless hours and gave me my first job in coaching. I will be forever grateful and appreciate that. I want to thank our administration, our Athletic Director Devin Smith and our Associate Athletic Director Angela Muller. They’ve put in a lot of hours as well. They’ve been very patient with me in my first year learning the ins and outs of a new role. Also, I want to thank Tyler Cavalli and Jake Knabel. They do a great job of promoting Bulldog athletics. Thank you guys and thanks to the media for coming up today.
At Concordia University Football, we’re building men through accountability, toughness and authenticity. Everything we’re trying to build in our football program centers around one of those three areas. Whether something good or bad is happening, I think it can be funneled into being accountable, being tough or being trustworthy. I believe one of the ways we can build that into our program and into our players is by keeping things simple. I don’t know who said it originally, but “football’s a simple game made complicated by coaches.” I think that’s true. Tony Dungy says that, “Champions don’t do extraordinary things, they do ordinary things better than anyone else.” That really resonates with us and that’s what we’re trying to do. It means things like showing up on time to weight sessions and giving 100 percent effort while you’re there. It’s things like being a good teammate and putting your ego aside for the sake of someone else on the team. That’s what we try to build into the guys over the offseason. I feel like we made good progress in those areas.
As far as our 2017 season goes, we have very high expectations for what this season can be, but we also recognize that we have a lot of work to do. Defensively, we need to replace eight starters. We expect some leadership from some guys who haven’t gotten a lot of playing time in the past, but have had really great spring balls.
D’Mauria Martin will be a defensive back for us in his senior year. He’s probably one of the smartest football players I’ve ever coached. You can show him a picture of a scheme defensively and he could tell you what the defensive end and the nose guard are doing even though he’s in man-to-man coverage. Another guy on defense is cornerback Tarence Roby. He’s also a dynamic kick returner. He’s got a lot of size and speed to match. There’s a lot of things that he does that you can’t coach that we appreciate. At linebacker, Kordell Glause comes back. He has some starting experience. He’s a real hard-nosed kid from Palmer, Nebraska. He does a great job on the defensive side of the ball for us. Then we’ve got a lot of guys we’re really excited about. They have some stuff to prove, but they can get the job done.
Offensively, we haven’t settled on a quarterback yet. We had a good spring though. We have some guys with returning experience as well as some guys who haven’t seen the field much that we think can compete as well. Some guys with proven experience – wide receiver Jared Garcia. He holds a lot of our records at Concordia for receiving touchdowns and yards. He actually put up 305 on hang clean last week. I think that’s a testament to Todd Berner, our strength coach. He’s a strong, physical receiver. He’s dynamic and we’re excited about him.
We have a true fullback in Erik Small coming back this year. He is a downhill kind of guy with traps that go for his ear to his shoulder. He looks like a fullback and he plays like one. We’re excited to have him back. A guy who has developed in our program is Yoshi Brey. He’ll be back for his senior year. Then we get Seth Fitzke back at tight end who I think is just a phenomenal player and a fun guy to be around. He brings a lot of energy. He was out last season with a torn ACL and he’ll be back. We’re excited about that.
I think regardless of your scheme you’re going to be as good as your offensive line. Our offensive line has put in a lot of work this offseason. They’ve put in a lot of extra hours and time with our offensive coordinator. We’re excited about that group. Hallick Lehmann and Austin Reese come back for their senior years.
I believe we have a tough-minded and physically tough team coming in this fall. We’re taking one day at a time and we’re learning as we go. Concordia is a unique place. I myself am a product of grace and second chances. If you’re willing to work hard, put your ego aside and be a good teammate and willing to put the effort in, a kid can come in and have a great experience like I did. Regardless of his background or what his history is, while he’s here I’m going to point him to Jesus because He changed my life. I want our players to be anchored in something that can’t be stripped from them. That’s an identity in Him.
With all the beliefs I have about building men and off-the-field program stuff, I’m passionate about winning. We’re going to pour every ounce of effort into that endeavor and into the future. I believe in the guys in our locker room and we’re thrilled to start next week. We’re very excited for the 2017 season.
Bulldogs appear in preseason national polls
Preseason polls: NAIA Coaches | College Football America
SEWARD, Neb. – Not since the 2002 squad appeared at No. 12 in the preseason had a Concordia football team been awarded a national ranking prior to the start of a campaign. First-year Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s program received mention in a pair of national polls released on Monday (Aug. 7). While placed just outside the NAIA’s official coaches’ preseason top 25 poll, Concordia checked in at No. 23 in the College Football America NAIA Preseason Top 30.
In the NAIA Football Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll, Daberkow’s bunch collected 28 points, placing it first among others receiving votes. The Bulldogs slid back from a No. 20 ranking in the spring poll unveiled on April 10 by the NAIA.
Behind first team All-American defensive end Trey Barnes, the 2016 Bulldogs finished 7-3 overall for the highest winning percentage for the program since the 2001 GPAC championship campaign. In addition, Concordia went undefeated at home (5-0) for the first time since 2000. This past year’s squad appeared in nine of the 12 national polls released by the NAIA. They peaked as high as 16th.
In both 2017 preseason national polls, the Bulldogs slotted in fourth among GPAC teams. The fourth-place position ranks higher than they appeared in last week’s GPAC preseason coaches’ (T-5th) and media (6th) polls. Concordia’s 2017 home slate offers plenty of marquee matchups with No. 4 Morningside, No. 11 Doane and No. 17 Dakota Wesleyan all set to make their way to Bulldog Stadium. In addition, the Bulldogs open the season Sept. 2 with a trip to 20th-ranked Kansas Wesleyan University.
Concordia begins preseason practice on Friday (Aug. 11). It will open up Bulldog Stadium to fans for an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 19. The open scrimmage is set to begin at 7 p.m. CT.
“I believe we have a tough-minded and physically tough team coming in this fall,” said Daberkow at last week’s GPAC Football Media Day. “We’re taking one day at a time and we’re learning as we go. I’m passionate about winning. We’re going to pour every ounce of effort into that endeavor and into the future. I believe in the guys in our locker room and we’re thrilled to get started.”
Daberkow’s staff is made up of full-time assistants in Thomas Byrd (offensive coordinator), Corby Osten (defensive coordinator) and Wes Coomes (special teams coordinator). For more details on the 2017 team, check out our media day notebook from Aug. 3.
Season preview: 2017 Concordia football
Head coach: Patrick Daberkow (1st year)
2016 Record: 7-3 overall; 5-3 GPAC (4th)
Key Returners: QB TJ Austin; TE Seth Fitzke; OL Keddrick Fuselier; WR Jared Garcia; LB Kordell Glause; OL Grady Koch; OL Hallick Lehmann; DB D’Mauria Martin; DB Tarence Roby; OL Matt Romero; FB Erik Small; QB Riley Wiltfong
Key Losses: DL/P Trey Barnes; RB Bryce Collins; S Cory Evans; S Le’Dontrae Gooden; LB Michael Hedlund; DL Ron Jackson; DB/LB Matt Keener; WR Trae Owens; DL Nolan Schroeder; LB Patrick Skwara
2016 NAIA All-America: Trey Barnes (first team)
2016 GPAC All-Conference: Vance Winter (coach of the year); Trey Barnes (first team); Jared Garcia (first team); Michael Hedlund (first team); D’Mauria Martin (first team); Tarence Roby (first team-KR, second team-DB); Bryce Collins (second team); Cory Evans (second team); Le’Dontrae Gooden (second team); Ron Jackson (second team); Grady Koch (honorable mention); Matt Romero (honorable mention); Nolan Schroeder (honorable mention); Erik Small (honorable mention)
Outlook
For the 10th time in program history, Concordia Football has a new head coach. After seven seasons coordinating rugged defensive units, Patrick Daberkow takes over the top job at his alma mater. His passion for the profession, for the school and for cultivating men of faith and character are evident.
He’s preaching three specific traits: accountability, toughness and authenticity. If everyone buys in, Daberkow just might elevate the program above last year’s successes, which included a final national ranking of 19th.
“As far as our 2017 season goes, we have very high expectations for what this season can be, but we also recognize that we have a lot of work to do,” Daberkow said. “Defensively, we need to replace eight starters. We expect some leadership from some guys who haven’t gotten a lot of playing time in the past, but have had really great springs.”
The Bulldogs concluded 2016 with a fourth-place league finish, perhaps one win short of earning a playoff berth for the first time since 2001. In the GPAC preseason polls, the coaches picked Concordia fifth while the media pegged it for sixth. The predicted slide back may have to do with the coaching transition, uncertainty at quarterback or the lack of returning starters on the defensive side of the ball.
No one inside the program views this as a rebuilding season whatsoever. The Bulldogs will have the opportunity to prove the doubters wrong without even leaving the neighborhood. They will host each of the GPAC’s preseason top four teams at Bulldog Stadium, where opponents went winless in 2016. Says first team all-conference defensive back D’Mauria Martin, “We’re not going to take a step down from where we’ve been. We’re going to keep striving forward.”
Martin, defensive back mate Tarence Roby and linebacker Kordell Glause are the lone returning starters for a defensive unit that has been stellar in recent seasons. Martin and Roby are bona fide stars and make for one of the top secondary duos in NAIA football. Daberkow calls Martin “one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached.” Not just a cover corner, Roby can hit people and provide electrifying plays in the return game.
Then come the question marks. The defensive line will look completely different without All-American Trey Barnes, nose guard Ron Jackson and end Nolan Schroeder. Most of the linebackers will be up-and-comers, but Daberkow feels good about the group, which got an infusion of talent in last fall’s recruiting class. In the secondary, Sebastian Garces also has starting experience. In terms of sheer athleticism, this defense will be on par or better than those from years past.
“We’re going to fly around and we’re going to have fun,” Martin said. “We might make mistakes here or there, but we’re going to have fun doing it. We’re going to stop people. I want us to be remembered as one of the top defenses ever to play at this school. That’s what I want us to be. I just want us to have fun.”
As part of a revamped coaching staff that includes defensive coordinator Corby Osten and special teams coordinator Wes Coomes, Thomas Byrd has come on board in hopes of adding juice to an offense that averaged 25.8 points per game last season. The quarterback situation is unsettled heading into fall camp, though both TJ Austin and Riley Wiltfong have extensive experience. The biggest headliner on offense is senior receiver Jared Garcia, who owns program receiving records for touchdowns in a season (11) and for a career (29). Garcia has grown accustomed to thrilling crowds with one-handed grabs and an impressive elusiveness when in the open field.
For Daberkow, everything starts up front. The return of Hallick Lehmann from an ACL tear fortifies the left tackle spot. The offensive line also features tackle Grady Koch and guard Matt Romero. The depth and experience of this unit is a major plus for a team that will be replacing prolific running back Bryce Collins. Jordan Slough and the rest of the running back crew should have a solid line to run behind.
“I think regardless of your scheme you’re going to be as good as your offensive line,” Daberkow said. “Our offensive line has put in a lot of work this offseason. They’ve put in a lot of extra hours and time with our offensive coordinator. We’re excited about that group. Hallick Lehmann and Austin Reese come back for their senior years.”
Two of the offense’s brightest stars are tight end Seth Fitzke and fullback Erik Small. Like Lehmann, Fitzke is coming off a torn ACL. Fitzke figures to be one of the league’s best tight ends. He is equally adept at blocking and catching passes. Meanwhile, Small is one of the strongest players on the team. Fullbacks may be a dying breed in the age of air raid college attacks, but Concordia is determined to make use of Small as a lead blocker.
Those are the known commodities. The unknowns will have much to say about whether the Bulldogs outperform outside expectations and contend for that elusive playoff berth. Martin sees positive growth from the young players who must contribute for Concordia to again be a top 25 team in 2017.
“I’ve been very impressed with a lot of our younger guys,” Martin said. “Coach O (Corby Osten) told me we only had three remaining starters from last year. I didn’t know that. I was like, ‘Wow.’ This offseason I’ve been pushing the younger guys like, ‘It might be your time. If you want it you have to go get it.’ A lot of people have stepped up. A lot of them are here in the summer working out with us because they know it’s nitty-gritty time. It’s almost season time.”
Being that it is Daberkow’s first rodeo, some amount of on-the-job learning is to be expected. The culture and the philosophy are in place. Daberkow has put a lot of energy into helping the program earn respectability. Where will it go from here?
“I believe we have a tough-minded and physically tough team coming in this fall,” Daberkow said. “We’re taking one day at a time and we’re learning as we go. With all the beliefs I have about building men and off-the-field program stuff, I’m passionate about winning. We’re going to pour every ounce of effort into that endeavor and into the future. I believe in the guys in our locker room.”
The Daberkow era officially kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 2 with a night contest at Kansas Wesleyan University (9-2 in 2016), a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. Game time is set for 6 p.m. CT from Salina, Kan.
Bulldogs brace for opener at No. 20 Kansas Wesleyan
SEWARD, Neb. – Game week has arrived for the Concordia University football team. Week one presents a significant challenge and opportunity for the Bulldogs, who will journey about three hours south for a matchup with 20th-ranked Kansas Wesleyan University. It will be a battle between two teams who completed the 2016 season with top 20 national rankings. For Concordia, it also marks the official start of the Patrick Daberkow head coaching era.
Meanwhile, the Coyotes are led by fourth-year head coach Matt Drinkal. Kansas Wesleyan kicked off its season last week and fell by a 31-24 score at Olivet Nazarene University, located in Bourbonnais, Ill. The Coyotes lost despite a 465-392 advantage in total yards. Olivet Nazarene finished 2016 with a 4-7 overall record. Kansas Wesleyan is coming off a 9-2 mark in 2016.
GAME INFO
Concordia (0-0) at No. 20 Kansas Wesleyan (0-1)
Saturday, Sept. 2 | 6 p.m.
STADIUM NAME | Salina, Kan.
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2016 Final Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 25.8 (52nd)
Defensive PPG: 24.1 (28th)
Total Offense: 348.9 (55th)
Pass Offense: 188.3 (56th)
Rush Offense: 160.6 (47th)
Total Defense: 328.4 (16th)
Pass Defense: 182.6 (22nd)
Rush Defense: 145.8 (28th)
Turnover +/-: +1 (T-35th)
Kansas Wesleyan
Offensive PPG: 34.9 (T-17th)
Defensive PPG: 26.6 (38th)
Total Offense: 448.4 (17th)
Pass Offense: 225.8 (31st)
Rush Offense: 222.5 (18th)
Total Defense: 382.7 (45th)
Pass Defense: 205.9 (35th)
Rush Defense: 176.8 (54th)
Turnover +/-: -2 (T-45th)
Returning Individual Leaders
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (0-0, 1st season)
Passing: TJ Austin – Passing: 87/183 (.475), 1,136 yards, 12 td, 6 int; Rushing: 68 att, 239 yards, 3.5 avg, 3 td
Rushing: TJ Austin – 81 att, 327 yards, 4.0 avg, 3 td
Receiving: Jared Garcia – 55 catches, 825 yards, 15.0 avg, 10 td
Defense: Kordell Glause – 44 tackles, 6 tfl’s, fr
Kansas Wesleyan
Head Coach: Matt Drinkall (21-14, 4th season)
Passing: Wes Geisler – 145/275 (.527), 2,061 yards, 17 td, 4 int; rushing: 287 yards, td
Rushing: Demarco Prewitt – 146 att, 663 yards, 4.5 avg, 13 td
Receiving: Demarco Prewitt – 28 catches, 261 yards, 9.3 avg, td
Defense: Garrett Updegraft – 99 tackles, 13.5 tfl’s, 5 sacks
In the rankings
Both Concordia and Kansas Wesleyan received mention in preseason national polls. Noteworthy rankings are listed below.
Concordia
GPAC: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll: first among others receiving votes
College Football America T25: 23rd
Massey Ratings: 35th
Kansas Wesleyan
KCAC: 3rd (coaches); 2nd (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll: 20th
College Football America T25: 15th
Massey Ratings: 67th
New head ball coach
In more than 90 years of existence, the Concordia football program has had a grand total of 10 head coaches. Daberkow becomes the sixth Concordia alum to be named head coach. Originally from Madison, Neb., Daberkow graduated in 2007 and then spent two years as a graduate assistant for Courtney Meyer. Daberkow joined the staff full time and has spent the previous seven years coordinating the defense. In both 2013 and 2015, the Bulldogs finished inside the top five nationally in total defense.
KCAC/GPAC Football Challenge
This will mark the third year of the KCAC/GPAC Football Challenge, which will come to an end after 2017. The GPAC has dominated the series, going 8-1 in 2015 and 7-2 in 2016. Kansas Wesleyan has received favorable draws in the first two years of the challenge. It defeated Midland, 55-37, in 2015 and Briar Cliff, 27-21, in 2016. The 2015 Midland and 2016 Briar Cliff teams both finished at 1-10 overall. In its two games in the challenge, Concordia has won handily, defeating Southwestern College, 31-10, in 2015 and University of Saint Mary, 23-7, in 2016.
Garcia creeps up on Wurdeman
Last season Jared Garcia surpassed former All-American tight end Ross Wurdeman for a school record total of career touchdown receptions. Garcia enters this season within striking distance of Wurdeman’s program career standards of 168 catches and 2,458 receiving yards. A native of Pearland, Texas, Garcia has totaled 140 catches and 2,188 receiving yards to go along with 29 touchdowns. In terms of total career touchdowns, Garcia ranks No. 5 in program history.
Total career touchdowns, school history
1. Cleve Wester – 45 (1982-85)
2. Gary Seevers – 39 (1953-56)
3. Bryce Collins – 37 (2013-16)
4. Alex Alvarez – 33 (1999-2003)
5. Jared Garcia – 29 (2014-present)
Dynamic duo
With seniors like D’Mauria Martin and Tarence Roby on board, the Bulldogs have the potential to suit up one of the top defensive backfields in small college football. Martin, a three-year starter at cornerback, has moved to safety this offseason. Meanwhile, Roby, a former walk on at Northern Illinois University, remains as a top notch cover corner. Roby figures to also be used extensively in the return game. The playmaker from Rockford, Ill., has not spent a single down on offense in his collegiate career, but he’s still managed to find the end zone four times since arriving at Concordia in 2014. In the first road trip last season, Roby returned a kick 91 yards for a touchdown at Ottawa. As far as Martin goes, the staff trusts he’ll be a quick study as a safety. Daberkow calls Martin one of the smartest football players he’s ever coached.
Roby touchdowns
9/20/2014 – 46-yard fumble return vs. Midland
10/18/2014 – 90-yard kickoff return vs. Northwestern
10/24/2015 – 12-yard blocked punt return vs. Doane
9/10/2016 – 91-yard kickoff return at Ottawa
In the backfield
Concordia hopes to use week one to answer question marks at the quarterback and running back positions. A close quarterback race between juniors Andrew Perea and Riley Wiltfong has played out during spring and fall camps. Wiltfong, who hails from Doniphan, Neb., is the program’s most experienced signal caller. In 12 career games, Wiltfong has thrown for 1,412 yards and owns a 14-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Perea (Pico River, Calif.) has thrown only six passes in his career, but possesses a strong arm. Both players have acquired a keen understanding of new offensive coordinator Thomas Byrd’s offense.
At the running back position, Jordan Slough and Ryan Durdon figure to see the bulk of the carries. Both are relatively untested with Concordia having relied heavily upon prolific back Bryce Collins the previous four seasons. In limited duty the past two years, Slough has rushed for 169 yards on 41 carries. An ultra-productive back during his prep days at Doniphan-Trumbull, Slough has shown an ability to make plays in the passing game during fall scrimmages. Durdon has moved to the backfield after beginning his college career as a receiver.
Rebuilt front seven
Junior linebacker Kordell Glause is the lone returning starter in Concordia’s front seven as part of its standard 3-4 alignment. Coordinator Corby Osten will be working in a lot of new faces, but Daberkow and his staff believe that the defensive line and linebacker units will remain solid. For the first time in his collegiate career, Erik Small will play on the defensive side of the ball. The coaches hope he can provide steady play at the nose guard position that had been manned by Ron Jackson, now a graduate assistant coach. Small is one of the strongest and most physical players on the roster.
At the inside linebacker spots, sophomores Terrell Pearson and Derek Tachovsky have worked with the No. 1 unit. At one of the outside backer positions, senior Shane Scott returns after recording 20 tackles in 2016. Up front, Small will be the anchor for a line that will move on without All-American Trey Barnes.
Fitzke joins broadcast booth
Father of current Bulldogs Seth and Brady, Roger Fitzke jumps into the broadcast booth this fall as color commentator alongside play-by-play voice Tyler Cavalli. Also the voice of Concordia basketball, Cavalli replaces Jayson Jorgensen in the football play-by-play role. Cavalli and Fitzke can be heard every Saturday on 104.9 Max Country (KTMX-FM). The York station streams online and via mobile devices through the 104.9 Max Country app. Coach Daberkow will join Cavalli each week for the Bulldog Coaches Show, which airs on Max Country at 5:30 p.m. CT on Thursdays.
Scouting Kansas Wesleyan
Concordia and Kansas Wesleyan will meet on the gridiron for the first time since 1991. In three matchups all-time, KWU owns a 2-1 advantage. The Coyotes’ fortunes have trended upward under the direction of head coach Matt Drinkall, who led the program to the NAIA football playoffs in 2015. Kansas Wesleyan owns a record of 19-4 over the past two years. Its success has been the product of offenses that have ranked inside the top 20 nationally for consecutive years. Though Wes Geisler filled the quarterback role in 2016, he may give way to senior Kelly Cordova, who tossed for 252 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s season opener. Kajuan Ocasio emerged as the team’s top receiving threat, catching six balls for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, two players stand out in particular – defensive lineman Christian McQueen (8.5 sacks in 2016) and linebacker Garrett Updegraft (team high 99 tackles last season). The Coyotes have hopes of returning to the postseason after just missing out a year ago.
Durdon breaks out in defeat
SALINA, Kan. – A rash of penalties and turnovers sunk the Concordia University football team in its efforts to claim victory while opening the 2017 season at 20th ranked Kansas Wesleyan University under the lights on Saturday night. Despite a breakout game by sophomore running back Ryan Durdon, the Bulldogs suffered a 28-13 loss to the host Coyotes in a contest played at Graves Family Sports Complex in Salina, Kan.
It marked the head coaching debut of Patrick Daberkow, who spent the previous seven seasons coordinating Concordia’s defenses under Vance Winter. The Bulldogs’ 12 penalties for 118 yards and three turnovers were not what Daberkow had in mind.
“We identified that going into the game and just didn’t execute well enough,” Daberkow said. “Their quarterback played well and they did a good job of grinding away. We shot ourselves in the foot tonight. Credit to them. They played a good clean game tonight. They made fewer mistakes. Sometimes it just comes down to who makes fewer mistakes.”
While Kansas Wesleyan quarterback Kelly Cordova dazzled with his arm (235 passing yards, two touchdowns) and feet (64 rushing yards), Durdon ran with the spotlight from a Concordia perspective. He toted the rock 24 times for 208 yards and a touchdown. The native of Decatur, Texas, galloped 77 yards for a fourth quarter score, keeping hopes alive and cutting the deficit to 21-13. Said Daberkow, “Ryan Durdon had a great game.”
For most of the night, the rebuilt Bulldog defense played well enough to win. That phase of the team was not responsible for a third quarter Coyote touchdown that occurred on a botched punt attempt. Brendan Cremin’s fumble was recovered in the end zone by Anthony Munro on a back breaking play. It was an otherwise solid night for Cremin, who downed four punts inside the opposition’s 20.
Defensively, Erik Small looked comfortable at his new spot at nose guard. He made five tackles and recorded his first career sack. Playmaking senior Tarence Roby thwarted a Kansas Wesleyan red zone drive with a first quarter interception. The Coyotes managed to pile up 447 total yards compared to 482 for Concordia.
“Our defense played outstanding,” Daberkow said. “We just kind of ran out of gas at the end there. One of the touchdowns we gave up was when the defense wasn’t even on the field. We had some young guys step up.”
Daberkow made mention of freshman receiver Lane Castaneda, who ably filled in for the injured Jared Garcia. Castaneda caught eight passes for 89 yards and hauled in an 18-yard scoring toss from starting quarterback Riley Wiltfong. In the second half, Daberkow made a call to the bullpen and used strong-armed Andrew Perea. Both quarterbacks produced similar numbers. Wiltfong went 7-for-17 for 83 yards, one touchdown and one pick. Perea completed 9-of-17 passes for 81 yards.
Durdon is the program’s first player to rush for 200 or more yards in a game since quarterback Cohl Tufford accomplished that feat on Oct. 1, 2011. Durdon did not carry the football during his freshman season when the Bulldogs featured star back Bryce Collins.
Kansas Wesleyan, coached by fourth-year head man Matt Drinkall, is now 1-1 this season. The Coyotes have not lost at the Graves Complex since it opened in 2015. Kansas Wesleyan bounced back from a 31-24 season opening loss at Olivet Nazarene University on Aug. 26. Drinkall’s squad was led on the ground by the 91 yards and a touchdown from Nate Ocran. Trenton Poe-Evans snagged six passes for 97 yards and a score.
The Bulldogs will make their 2017 home debut next Saturday (Sept. 9) when they challenge another KCAC school. Kickoff at Bulldog Stadium between Concordia and Ottawa University (0-1) is set for 1 p.m. CT. The two sides also met in Ottawa, Kan., last fall with the result being a 34-23 victory for the Bulldogs. Concordia has won each of its last six home games.
Game notes: home debut awaits on Saturday
SEWARD, Neb. – Coming off a 28-13 loss at No. 20 Kansas Wesleyan in its season opener, the Concordia University football team hopes to bounce back this week when it welcomes Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member Ottawa University to Seward. The Bulldogs and Braves will kick off at 1 p.m. CT from Bulldog Stadium on a Parents’ Day Saturday. Both teams are seeking their first win of the 2017 season.
Head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad fell last week despite gaining 482 yards of offense. Led by breakout running back Ryan Durdon (208 rushing yards), Concordia rattled off 318 rushing yards. However, the Bulldogs were unable to overcome 12 penalties for 118 yards and three turnovers. Meanwhile, Ottawa allowed 674 yards to Northwestern in a 41-16 home loss to the Red Raiders on Sept. 2. Head coach Kent Kessinger’s program is coming off a 4-7 season in 2016.
GAME INFO
Ottawa (0-1) at Concordia (0-1)
Saturday, Sept. 9 | 1 p.m.
Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2017 Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 13.0 (T-74th)
Defensive PPG: 28.0 (T-39th)
Total Offense: 482.0 (T-18th)
Pass Offense: 164.0 (64th)
Rush Offense: 318.0 (5th)
Total Defense: 447.0 (66th)
Pass Defense: 235.0 (53rd)
Rush Defense: 212.0 (61st)
Turnover +/-: -2 (T-61st)
Ottawa
Offensive PPG: 16.0 (T-66th)
Defensive PPG: 41.0 (T-71st)
Total Offense: 439.0 (T-30th)
Pass Offense: 184.0 (T-54th)
Rush Offense: 255.0 (12th)
Total Defense: 674.0 (85th)
Pass Defense: 272.0 (67th)
Rush Defense: 402.0 (86th)
Turnover +/-: -1 (T-48th)
Returning Individual Leaders
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (0-1, 1st season)
Passing: Riley Wiltfong – Passing: 7/17 (.412), 83 yards, td, int; Rushing: 8 rushes, 44 yards, 5.5 avg
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 24 rushes, 208 yards, 8.7 avg, td
Receiving: Lane Castaneda – 8 catches, 89 yards, 11.1 avg, td
Defense: Erik Small – 5 tackles, 1.5 tfl’s, 1 sack
Ottawa
Head Coach: Kent Kessinger (85-57, 14th season)
Passing: Connor Byers – 19/34 (.559), 184 yards, td, int; rushing: 15 rushes, 66 yards, td
Rushing: James Reeder – 21 rushes, 123 yards, 5.9 avg, 0 td
Receiving: Mauricio Uribe – 8 catches, 87 yards, 10.9 avg, 1 td
Defense: Marcus Fenderson – 11 tackles, tfl
In the rankings
Both teams were predicted to finish in the middle of the pack in their respective conferences. Concordia nearly cracked the top 25 in the NAIA preseason coaches’ poll. The NAIA will not release a regular season poll until next week. Ottawa last appeared in the national rankings in the preseason of 2015.
Concordia
GPAC: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll: first among others receiving votes
College Football America T25: 23rd
Massey Ratings: 50th
Ottawa
KCAC: 5th (coaches); 5th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll: NR
College Football America T25: NR
Massey Ratings: 70th
Durdon bursts onto scene
Ryan Durdon did not carry the football a single time during his freshman season in 2016. He then went into last week’s season opener listed as the No. 2 running back on the two deep roster. He emerged as the biggest storyline of week one for Concordia, breaking loose for 208 yards and a touchdown on 24 rushes. The native of Decatur, Texas, showed both power and speed on a 77-yard gallop to the end zone in the fourth quarter. Durdon became just the fourth Bulldog player to rush for more than 200 yards in the GPAC era (2000-present).
200+ rushing yards, GPAC era
JaMaine Lewis – 261 vs. Dakota Wesleyan (10/20/07)
Phillip Elder – 215 vs. Doane (9-4-04)
Ryan Durdon – 208 vs. Kansas Wesleyan (9-2-17)
Cohl Tufford – 208 vs. Dakota State (10-1-11)
Castaneda fills the void
With star receiver Jared Garcia sidelined last week by a knee injury, freshman Lane Castaneda stepped into the role of top target for quarterbacks Riley Wiltfong and Andrew Perea. Castaneda caught eight passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. He gave the Bulldogs a 6-0 first quarter lead with an impressive 18-yard touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone. At 6-foot-2, the native of San Antonio, Texas, looks the part of someone who can complement Garcia upon his return to the lineup. Castaneda is listed as a starting receiver this week along with Vincent Beasley and Kiyoshi Brey.
Throwback
Erik Small is routinely cited by members of the coaching staff as one of the best pure football players on the team. Strong as an ox, the 6-0, 252-pounder is now playing on both sides of the ball. Already a starter at fullback, Small is anchoring the defensive line from his nose guard position in the team’s 3-4 scheme. Small made an immediate impact at that spot last week, recording five tackles and a sack at Kansas Wesleyan. Offensively, Small is a punishing lead blocker who has also caught two touchdown passes in his career.
Offensive Lineman Awareness Month
Daberkow has declared the month of September Offensive Lineman Awareness Month. The first-year head coach wants to ensure that the big guys up front don’t go unnoticed. This year’s line is one of the most experienced position groups on the team. The unit got a boost with the return of left tackle Hallick Lehmann, who sat out last season with a torn ACL. Lehmann is in his fifth year in the program. Lehman is joins guards Austin Reese and Austin Taylor as the three seniors up front. Center Matt Romero and right tackle Grady Koch are juniors. All five players have extensive starting experience. They helped pave the way for Durdon and a ground attack that pounded out 318 rushing yards at Kansas Wesleyan. The group also helped former running back Bryce Collins amass 3,547 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground.
Quarterback battle
Concordia enters the week with some uncertainty at the quarterback position after Riley Wiltfong and Andrew Perea split snaps last week in offensive coordinator Thomas Byrd’s multiple offense. The two signal callers produced remarkably similar numbers at Kansas Wesleyan. Wiltfong, who got the nod as the starter, went 7-for-17 for 83 yards, a touchdown and one pick. He also ran for 44 yards on eight attempts. Perea, who entered the game in the third quarter, went 9-for-17 for 81 yards. Prior to last week, Perea had fired only six passes in his collegiate career. Wiltfong has 1,495 passing yards and 18 total touchdowns (15 passing, three rushing) in his career.
Rebuilt D
Daberkow and coordinator Corby Osten came away mostly pleased with the play of the defense in last week’s loss. The defense was tagged with 28 points allowed, but seven of those were gifted to the Coyotes on a Concordia fumble in the end zone. The Bulldogs allowed 447 total yards, but got tougher in red zone situations. Kansas Wesleyan came up empty on two of its five trips to the red zone. One of its drives was thwarted by a Tarence Roby interception. Roby, fellow defensive back D’Mauria Martin and linebacker Kordell Glause are the lone returning starters on defense. Surrounding small up front are ends Zach Jackson and Aaron Rudloff. The linebacker unit includes inside backers Terrell Pearson and Derek Tachovsky and outside backer Shane Scott, a senior with starting experience. Martin and Roby are joined in the secondary by corner Sebastian Garces and safety Nate Gilmore. The Bulldogs have a history of solid defenses. Daberkow coordinated units that ranked in the top five nationally in total defense in 2013 and 2015.
Home cooking
The 2016 Concordia football team turned in the program’s first undefeated home season since 2000. Dating back to the end of 2015, the Bulldogs own a six-game home win streak. Three of last season’s five home victories were decided by six points or less. The last opponent to win inside Bulldog Stadium was then second ranked Morningside on Oct. 31, 2015.
Six-game home win streak
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | #22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Concordia vs. the KCAC
Concordia has now played opponents from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference five times since the start of 2014. The Bulldogs were a perfect 4-0 versus the KCAC in those outings until last week’s defeat at Kansas Wesleyan. Like most of the GPAC, Concordia has had its way with the KCAC. Last season the Bulldogs opened up the 2016 campaign with wins over the University of Saint Mary and Ottawa. Concordia and Ottawa had never met on the football field until last fall. In last year’s matchup, the Bulldogs bested the Braves, 34-23. Jared Garcia reeled in five passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, then senior Michael Hedlund enjoyed a monster game, racking up 18 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception.
Scouting Ottawa
Kent Kessinger has built a perennially strong football program in Ottawa. Last season was a rare hiccup. The Braves went 4-7 overall, finishing below .500 for the first time since 2007. Between the 2008 and 2015 seasons, Ottawa went a combined 68-22 with six NAIA playoff appearances. The Braves are looking for a rebound year behind dual threat quarterback Connor Byers, who rushed for 905 yards in 2016. Kessinger and company will try to shore up a defense that ranked 46th in the nation in total defense last year and got gutted for 674 total yards last week by Northwestern. Ottawa will need to tighten up the rush defense while matching up with Ryan Durdon and Concordia’s experienced offensive line. The two coaching staffs know each other well. Bulldog special teams coordinator Wes Coomes started at linebacker for the Braves in 2012 and 2013. On the flip side, Curran White is in his first season as offensive coordinator at Ottawa after spending five seasons on Vance Winter’s coaching staff at Concordia.
The throwback: Concordia's two-way player
Head football coach Patrick Daberkow likens senior Erik Small to a lumberjack. Said Daberkow, “If this were 100 years ago he’d probably be somewhere chopping down a tree.”
At 6-foot, Small may not have the height of Paul Bunyan, but he does have the brawn. His style on the football field is old school. He’s a throwback to the days when Concordia stars like Gene Oetting rarely came off the field during an entire game. Those are exactly the qualities that endear a player to Daberkow, who preaches toughness.
“He’s a dynamic football player,” Daberkow said. “He’s a violent player. He’s really good at getting extension when he’s kicking out a linebacker. The same things that make him good at that are what make him good at playing defensive line. It’s the same kind of low, explosive movement. He’s just an exceptional football player.”
Defensive line you say? Now in his third season as a starting fullback at Concordia, Small also tops the depth chart at the nose guard position that had previously been held down by Ron Jackson. There was one problem Daberkow saw in regards to Small. The native of Los Alamitos, Calif., was one of the team’s best players, but he wasn’t on the field enough.
The coaching staff knew it had to replace eight defensive starters, including the entire line. The Bulldogs had a better opportunity to maximize Small’s impressive strength by allowing him to anchor the interior of the defense.
“Coach Daberkow called me into his office one day and said they were thinking about it,” Small said. “We needed more depth there. He thought I’d be able to help out and contribute a little bit. I was all for it. At fullback you only get maybe a quarter of the plays throughout the game. I thought playing defense would let me contribute more.”
Small got a late start. He did not work at defensive line at all in the spring, but began taking reps there early during preseason camp this August. Small had played the position in high school, but this was a different level with a different scheme. He appeared to pass his first big exam last week when he recorded five tackles and his first career sack in the season opener at Kansas Wesleyan.
The 252-pounder and weight room star figures to get better as the season goes along. He says one of the biggest adjustments is adapting to the punishment that takes place at the line of scrimmage on every play.
“At fullback you get a running start before you impact somebody,” Small said. “Off the line it’s a lot of pushing and hand fighting. I’m still adjusting there. And on defense you’re always tired. You’re never fresh.”
Daberkow has an open mind about using some of his best athletes on both sides of the ball. All-conference corner Tarence Roby got multiple looks on offense last week. In addition, freshman Lane Napier has impressed at both running back and linebacker.
The coaches wouldn’t put such a burden on a player if they didn’t think he could handle it. Small has the right physical traits and the right attitude to make it work. In turn, Small wants to contribute as much as he can to a program that was one of the few that had interest in him after an injury forced him to sit out during his second year at Fullerton College in California.
“I decided I was done with it because I had torn my knee up and I was just over it, I guess,” Small said. “In that year off I kind of got the itch to play again. Concordia was actually recruiting my brother (Kevin), who didn’t end up coming here out of junior college. I told him to show them my film. They offered me off of that. It was the only offer I had. I didn’t know how many people would take a chance on someone who hadn’t played for two years.”
The Concordia Experience has been a new one, but a “good one” for the born and raised Californian. The experience has been positive to the point that his brother Kevin decided to join him on the team. Kevin has one year of eligibility left as a graduate transfer.
Erik downplays the role he had in convincing his brother to come to Concordia. However, it’s clear that Erik has put himself in a position to influence others as a senior with the type of attitude and work ethic that any coach would want on their side.
“We could tell from a personality standpoint that he fit in really well here,” Daberkow said. “He’s exactly what you want in a player. He’s a guy who can play through some pain and has a lunch pail mentality. You never worry about him being late. He’s just a hard-nosed, old school downhill football player. That’s the kind of guy that you build things around.”
Small lists fishing, shooting, video games and America under his interests. He’s a criminal justice major, but perhaps lumberjacking is a fallback for Concordia’s two-way player.
Roby electrifies in first win of Daberkow era
SEWARD, Neb. – Tough, physical defense and the star power of senior Tarence Roby were on display Saturday afternoon as the Concordia University football team made its 2017 home debut. While making his first career start at quarterback, junior Andrew Perea helped the Bulldogs to a 24-6 victory over visiting Ottawa University.
The results defensively have been encouraging for a unit that replaced eight starters from the 2016 team. Saturday’s game marked win No. 1 in the head coaching career of Patrick Daberkow. His squad is now 1-1 on the year.
“I was incredibly proud of how they did,” Daberkow said of a defense that allowed 299 yards and forced three turnovers. “They were asked to step up to the table a couple of times and they just did a really good job. That opening drive we missed a couple tackles on third down or we probably would have had a goose egg, but I was proud of their performance.”
Roby put the game on ice with the play of the day in the fourth quarter. The former Northern Illinois University walk on made a leaping interception of a Connor Byers pass. That’s when the fun began. Roby appeared to be contained by a swarm of Braves, but kept the play alive by busting a series of tackles before turning on the jets for a 100-yard touchdown return. Roby’s big play equaled a GPAC and NAIA record for longest interception return.
Roby made three tackles from his cornerback spot, but it was what he did in the return game that gave Ottawa fits. Roby piled up 222 all-purpose yards, including 91 on kick returns and 31 on punt returns. His 100-yarder was something to behold.
“When I picked it, I didn’t know I was in the end zone,” Roby said. “I thought I was on the one so I just ran out and I saw a guy, so I ran back. I figured I had to get out of the end zone as soon as possible. I just made a few moves. I only saw linemen so I figured if I get past them, I’m off to the races.”
Roby was far from the lone standout on defense. Linebacker Lane Napier, who also got two carries as a running back, led the way with eight tackles. Nate Gilmore added seven stops in addition to an interception. Elsewhere, Kerry Grigsby stripped and recovered a fumble, Kevin Small delivered the game’s most vicious hit and Sebastian Garces blocked a punt deep in Braves territory. It all added up to an impressive effort for coordinator Corby Osten's defense.
Offensively, Concordia has used the first two games to establish an identity as a physical downhill rushing attack spearheaded by a veteran offensive line. The Bulldogs pounded the rock on Saturday, rushing 44 times for 158 yards. Breakthrough back Ryan Durdon rattled off 94 yards and a touchdown on 27 rushes. His 24-yard touchdown run in the first quarter put Concordia in front for good.
What’s the reason for the early season success for the converted receiver? “The people up front,” Durdon answered. “That’s it. Anybody can run for 200 yards when they block like they did last week.”
Perea got nearly all the snaps at quarterback and went 13-for-21 for 123 yards. His day included a 26-yard scoring strike to senior Kiyoshi Brey. The native of Winchester, Calif., was the top target on the day. He caught five passes for 80 yards while picking up the slack for Jared Garcia, who sat out for the second straight game due to injury. Arthur Anderson, Lane Castaneda and Seth Fitzke each hauled in two passes. Riley Wiltfong carried two times for 19 yards and freshman Sir-Zavious Broussard (five carries, 18 yards) saw his first collegiate action.
As part of the strong defensive effort, Riley Bilstein, Garces and Kordell Glause each came up with one sack of quarterback Connor Byers. The Ottawa signal caller struggled, going 19-for-38 for 147 yards and two picks. Braves (0-2) running back James Reeder gained 91 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Mauricio Uribe scored Ottawa’s lone touchdown on a six-yard pass from Byers.
Conference play opens up next Saturday (Sept. 16) with a trip to Orange City, Iowa, for a clash with Northwestern (2-0). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT. Last season the Bulldogs used a smothering defensive effort to defeat the Red Raiders, 9-7, inside Bulldog Stadium. Northwestern is off to a hot start having defeated Ottawa, 41-16, and 15th-ranked Dickinson State University, 37-3.
“Coach (Matt) McCarty does a great job,” Daberkow said. “They’re a class program. That is always a tough place to go play, but we’ll have them ready by Saturday.”
Roby's record-tying play lands on ESPN, nets GPAC honor
With just a single play, senior corner and electrifying return man Tarence Roby caused quite a stir. His 100-yard interception return for a touchdown equaled GPAC and NAIA records in last week’s 24-6 victory over Ottawa University. As a result, the GPAC selected Roby as the league’s defensive player of the week. The native of Rockford, Ill., compiled 222 all-purpose yards in the home opening win.
This isn’t the first time Roby has burned an opponent with a game-breaking play. Roby has found the end zone five times during his career, scoring in a wide variety of ways (fumble return, kick return, punt return and interception return). But this one was different.
“It wasn’t shock and surprise,” said head coach Patrick Daberkow. “That was one of the best plays I think I’ve ever seen in football, especially live with how many tackles he broke. That shows how dynamic of an athlete he is. He’s just a really great football player and good kid.”
Everything about the play screamed SportsCenter top 10 highlight. ESPN’s signature program recognized the play’s wow factor and featured it on the program both Saturday evening and Sunday morning. According to ESPN’s calculations, the actual distance Roby traveled, while working his way across the field and then sprinting to the end zone, covered 139 yards.
The play had it all – from the leaping pick that started it to the act of eluding the entire Braves offense to the Shane Scott pancake block to the exuberant call of Tyler Cavalli on 104.9 Max Country. Color commentator Roger Fitzke didn’t hesitate in exclaiming, “There will not be a better play in all of college football today.”
Fitzke was impressed by Roby’s ability to “shake and bake” out of trouble. Cavalli referred to Roby as a “bad, bad man.” Roby himself explained what he saw on the play during a postgame interview.
Said Roby, “When I picked it, I didn’t know I was in the end zone initially. I thought I was on the one. I just ran out and I saw a guy, so I ran back into the end zone. I figured I had to get out of the end zone as soon as possible. I just made a few moves. I only saw linemen so I figured if I get past them I’m off to the races.”
The play has now been seen by thousands of people around the country. A video of the play has been retweeted well over 200 times and has been viewed more than 1,000 times on YouTube. That’s not even factoring in the people who watched it on ESPN. Former Bulldog quarterback Kurt Earl tweeted a video of Roby as shown on a SportsCenter highlight.
Many people likely had the same reaction as running back Ryan Durdon, who watched from the sidelines as Roby produced one of the top plays ever seen at Bulldog Stadium.
“I don’t think I could describe it,” Durdon said. “I was hopping and hollering. The defense came through for us. Tarence Roby made an insane return.”
According to the GPAC records, only one other player has returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in league history. Vince Martinez performed the same feat against Dordt in 2009. In the NAIA record book, the longest interception return of 100 is listed as having been accomplished by “several.” In both NAIA and NCAA football, only the yardage from goal line to goal line is recorded statistically. (In other words, the longest possible return is 100 yards). The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision record book states that 101 players have returned interceptions 100 yards since 1941. Two NCAA DI FBS players had 100-yard returns in 2016.
Roby career touchdowns
9/20/2014 – 46-yard fumble return vs. Midland
10/18/2014 – 90-yard kickoff return vs. Northwestern
10/24/2015 – 12-yard blocked punt return vs. Doane
9/10/2016 – 91-yard kickoff return at Ottawa
9/9/2017 – 100-yard interception return vs. Ottawa
Roby and the Bulldogs will open up the conference season with a trip to Northwestern (2-0) on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT from Orange City, Iowa.
Game notes: Concordia and Northwestern to meet in GPAC opener
SEWARD, Neb. – For the second time in three weeks, the Concordia University football program will go up against a nationally-ranked opponent. The Bulldogs and No. 24 Northwestern are set to clash inside De Valois Stadium in Orange City, Iowa, at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday. Last week Patrick Daberkow picked up his first career head coaching victory while Tarence Roby highlighted the day with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.
The early returns have been positive for the Red Raiders, who are looking to bounce back from a 3-7 season in 2016. Northwestern has defeated its first two opponents (Ottawa University and No. 15 Dickinson State University) by a combined score of 78-19. With freshman quarterback Tyson Kooima at the controls, the Red Raider offense has averaged 550.0 yards of offense. Can they keep it going against a Concordia defense that forced three turnovers in limited Ottawa to 299 yards and six points last week?
GAME INFO
Concordia (1-1) at No. 24 Northwestern (2-0)
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 1 p.m.
De Valois Stadium | Orange City, Iowa
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2017 Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 18.5 (T-62nd)
Defensive PPG: 17.0 (T-14th)
Total Offense: 381.5 (42nd)
Pass Offense: 143.5 (68th)
Rush Offense: 238.0 (17th)
Total Defense: 373.0 (29th)
Pass Defense: 191.0 (T-30th)
Rush Defense: 182.0 (T-49th)
Turnover +/-: 0 (T-38th)
Northwestern
Offensive PPG: 39.0 (T-23rd)
Defensive PPG: 9.5 (3rd)
Total Offense: 550.0 (8th)
Pass Offense: 264.0 (25th)
Rush Offense: 286.0 (5th)
Total Defense: 406.5 (49th)
Pass Defense: 216.5 (41st)
Rush Defense: 190.0 (53rd)
Turnover +/-: +3 (T-14th)
Returning Individual Leaders
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (1-1, 1st season)
Passing: Andrew Perea – Passing: 22/38 (.579), 204 yards, td, 0 int
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 51 rushes, 302 yards, 5.9 avg, 2 td
Receiving: Lane Castaneda – 10 catches, 112 yards, 11.2 avg, td
Defense: Nate Gilmore – 10 tackles, tfl, int
Northwestern
Head Coach: Matt McCarty (5-7, 2nd season)
Passing: Tyson Kooima – 33/55 (.600), 528 yards, 7 td, int; rushing: 22 rushes, 134 yards, 6.1 avg
Rushing: Jacob Kalogonis – 45 rushes, 359 yards, 8.0 avg, 4 td
Receiving: Jared Nelson – 11 catches, 206 yards, 18.7 avg, 5 td
Defense: Sean Powell – 20 tackles, 2 tfl
In the rankings
The NAIA released its first coaches’ top 25 poll of the regular season on Monday (Sept. 11). A 2-0 start vaulted Northwestern to No. 24. Meanwhile, the season opening loss resulted in Concordia failing to garner any votes this week. The Bulldogs and Red Raiders were pegged to be neck-and-neck in the GPAC, according to the preseason polls released in August. Concordia appeared as the first team outside the national top 25 in the NAIA’s preseason ranking.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 11): NR
Massey Ratings: 44th
Northwestern
GPAC preseason: 5th (coaches); 5th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 11): 24th
Massey Ratings: 13th
Roby featured on SportsCenter
A former walk on at NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Northern Illinois University, Tarence Roby had already built a strong reputation within the GPAC. This past weekend he received national attention after his dazzling 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. His eye-popping play made its way to ESPN’s SportsCenter. The Worldwide Leader tracked Roby’s total distance covered at 139 yards during the entirety of his pick six. The return equaled a GPAC and national college football record. According to the NCAA record book, 101 NCAA DI FBS players have recorded 100-yard interception returns since 1941. In college football, statistics are only measured from goal line to goal line.
Roby now has five career touchdowns that have been scored in wide variety of ways. Two of his touchdowns have come on kick returns and one apiece have come on a fumble return, a punt return and an interception return. His five touchdown returns have covered a combined total of 339 yards. His day in last week’s victory included 222 all-purpose yards (100 interception return, 91 kick returns, 31 punt returns).
Roby career touchdowns
9/20/2014 – 46-yard fumble return vs. Midland
10/18/2014 – 90-yard kickoff return vs. Northwestern
10/24/2015 – 12-yard blocked punt return vs. Doane
9/10/2016 – 91-yard kickoff return at Ottawa
9/9/2017 – 100-yard interception return vs. Ottawa
Durdon one of nation’s top rushers
Sophomore running back Ryan Durdon, a converted receiver, has emerged as a breakout star through the first two weeks of the season. The native of Decatur, Texas, was featured last week in his hometown newspaper, theWise County Messenger. With 302 rushing yards, Durdon ranks third among GPAC players and sixth among all NAIA ball carriers in rushing yards per game (151.0). In the season opener at No. 20 Kansas Wesleyan University, Durdon became the program’s fourth player to rush for 200 or more yards in a game during the GPAC era (2000-present). He followed that performance up by rushing 27 times for 94 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win. Durdon has been the team’s primary rusher. He has run 51 times. No other Bulldog has more than 12 rushing attempts.
Receivers emerge
With Jared Garcia having been sidelined, a new top target has emerged in each of Concordia’s first two games. Freshman Lane Castaneda burst onto the scene with eight catches for 89 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiate game. Last week, senior Kiyoshi Brey turned in a career day, hauling in five passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Castaneda (10 catches, 112 yards) and Brey (six catches, 84 yards) are the team’s top receivers this season. The school record holder for career touchdown receptions (29), Garcia had played in all 31 Concordia football games over the previous three years. The date of his return to the field is yet to be determined. For now, Brey, Castaneda and junior Vincent Beasley are listed as the team’s starting receivers.
Playmaking secondary
Roby is not the lone playmaker in the secondary. The backfield had a hand in all three turnovers the defense forced versus Ottawa. Named the team’s defensive MVP of the game, sophomore safety Nate Gilmore plucked his first career interception. Additionally, fellow safety D’Mauria Martin forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Kerry Grigsby. Not only that, starting corner Sebastian Garces blocked a punt that led to a Brendan Cremin field goal. Gilmore is tied for the team lead with 10 tackles. Concordia currently ranks 30th nationally in pass defense, in terms of yards allowed per game.
Home cooking
Concordia extended its home winning streak last week. The Bulldogs went a perfect 5-0 at home during the 2016 season. Concordia also won its final home contest of 2015, meaning the win streak currently stands at seven. Included in that run are five wins over GPAC opponents and two over squads from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 2016 squad was the program’s first to complete an undefeated home season since 2000.
Seven-game home win streak
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | #22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
House of horrors
There’s one streak the Bulldogs would like to put an end to: they have dropped each of their last seven games played in Orange City, Iowa. Included in that stretch have been some wild and unforgettable finishes (see the 2007 and 2013 games). Concordia also traveled to Northwestern in the third game of the 2015 campaign. A 45-yard Le’Dontrae Gooden pick six gave the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead going into the halftime break. Then ranked ninth, the Red Raiders rallied for a 17-14 win while holding Concordia to 237 total yards. Northwestern went a combined 4-5 at home over the 2015 and 2016 seasons. It went 5-0 in Orange City in 2014.
Scouting Northwestern
In Matt McCarty’s first season as head coach in 2016, Northwestern stumbled out of the gate with an 0-3 start, but won its next three and then nearly topped Morningside in the final game of the season. The Red Raiders finished 3-7 and endured their first losing season since 1991. Another losing season looks unlikely based upon the results of the first two weeks. Northwestern has blown out both Ottawa, 41-16, and then No. 15 Dickinson State, 37-3. The offense has hummed behind freshman quarterback Tyson Kooima, who ranks ninth nationally in pass efficiency (179.0). Jared Nelson has been on the receiving end for five of Kooima’s seven touchdown passes. The Red Raiders have been a perennially successful program that made three playoff appearances in a row from 2012 through 2014. Even in a down year last season, Northwestern employed a typically stout defense, ranking 11th in the NAIA in scoring defense (19.3).
Wiltfong fires three TD passes in GPAC opening loss
ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Despite a career game by sophomore Jackson Hall, the Concordia University football team dropped its GPAC opener at 24th-ranked Northwestern on Saturday afternoon. Red Raider freshman quarterback Tyson Kooima accounted for all five of his team’s touchdowns while leading the home squad to a 35-21 win inside De Valois Stadium in Orange City, Iowa.
First-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad has dipped to 1-2 overall a week after defeating Ottawa University.
“They’re a very well coached and disciplined team. We just got beat by a team that was more disciplined today than we were,” Daberkow said in a postgame interview with 104.9 Max Country. “That’s a reflection of the head coach. That starts with me and we have to get more disciplined. We didn’t capitalize on some things we could have capitalized on. There were some opportunities that we left out there.”
Kooima burned Concordia’s defense with big plays. He rushed for touchdowns that covered two, 24 and 39 yards. He also tossed for scores of 61 yards to Shane Solberg and for 56 yards to JC Koerselman. In addition to his three rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns, Kooima racked up 385 total yards (316 passing, 69 rushing) of offense. Said Daberkow, “I’m not looking forward to the next three years of him. He’s a very special player.”
Junior quarterback Riley Wiltfong came off the bench and hurled a trio of touchdown tosses. His 47-yard scoring strike to Jackson Hall gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead less than four minutes into the game. However, Concordia waited until the 10:01 mark of the fourth quarter to put another score on the board. By that time, Kooima and the Red Raiders had built a 35-7 lead. Wiltfong made the final score more respectable by whipping scoring passes of 21 yards to Lane Castaneda and 24 yards to Kiyoshi Brey in the final quarter.
Hall got loose for big plays against a solid Northwestern defense. Not only did he catch his first career touchdown pass, he finished with a line of five catches for 108 yards. Castaneda snagged eight passes for 68 yards. Out of the backfield, Ryan Durdon caught four balls for 40 yards. The Red Raiders did a credible job of limiting Durdon in the run game. He rushed 14 times for 46 yards. Wiltfong was the team leader with 72 rushing yards and 247 passing yards. Andrew Perea started at quarterback and went 7-for-15 with 55 yards.
Northwestern (3-0, 1-0 GPAC) jumped into the national rankings this week thanks to a hot start under second-year head coach Matt McCarty. With Bulldogs like sophomore linebacker Zac Walter (3.5 tackles for loss) swarming, the Red Raiders were limited to 2.9 yards per carry on 35 attempts. However, the big plays from Kooima were enough to carry Northwestern, which held a slight 419-413 advantage in total yards.
Corner Sebastian Garces led Concordia with nine tackles, including one in the backfield. Linebacker Lane Napier added seven tackles (one for loss). Walter was credited with 1.5 sacks while Erik Small recorded a half a sack. As a unit, the Bulldog defense made 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage on the afternoon. A week after the defense forced three turnovers, it did not get a single takeaway at Northwestern.
Seven days after appearing on SportsCenter with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, Tarence Roby was held to 57 all-purpose yards. All of them came on kick returns. Punter Chris Jelken was able to avoid Roby on his six punts. Deion Staley also had one kick return for 29 yards.
Kooima’s favorite target was Koerselman, who reeled in six passes for 82 yards. Concordia stuffed running back Jacob Kalognis, who finished with 30 rushing yards on 20 carries. Sean Powell topped the defense with nine tackles. Logan Richard produced the game’s lone turnover on an interception of Wiltfong.
The Bulldogs will be back in Seward next Saturday (Sept. 23) for homecoming on the Concordia campus. Daberkow’s squad will go head-to-head with No. 7 Doane (3-0, 1-0 GPAC) at 1 p.m. CT. In last season’s matchup in Crete, the Tigers kept their series win streak intact with a 27-7 victory over the Bulldogs. Daberkow played for Concordia teams that defeated Doane three years in a row (2003-05).
Said Daberkow, “I feel like we can compete with anybody. We have to seize the opportunity a bit more.”
Game notes: Concordia looks to turn tide in rivalry series with Doane
SEWARD, Neb. – From Concordia’s perspective, it’s been way too long. Not since head coach Patrick Daberkow played for the Bulldogs has the program claimed a win over rival Doane. Right now feels like the perfect time for a 2017 team aiming for a signature win while celebrating homecoming this week. Saturday’s kickoff from Bulldog Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
Concordia has dropped its first two road trips of this season following a 35-21 loss at No. 24 Northwestern (3-0) last week. However, the Bulldogs are returning to their home turf, where they own a seven-game win streak that dates back to the end of the 2015 campaign. On the other hand, the undefeated Tigers are fresh off an incredibly wild 68-67 home win last week over then 22nd-ranked Dakota Wesleyan (2-2). Doane rallied back from a 67-49 deficit with under six minutes left in the game.
GAME INFO
No. 7 Doane (3-0, 1-0) at Concordia (1-2, 0-1)
Saturday, Sept. 23 | 1 p.m.
Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2017 Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 19.3 (64th)
Defensive PPG: 23.0 (T-23rd)
Total Offense: 392.0 (40th)
Pass Offense: 196.3 (56th)
Rush Offense: 195.7 (27th)
Total Defense: 388.3 (42nd)
Pass Defense: 232.7 (50th)
Rush Defense: 155.7 (45th)
Turnover +/-: -1 (T-48th)
Doane
Offensive PPG: 43.3 (T-15th)
Defensive PPG: 36.0 (T-66th)
Total Offense: 418.0 (30th)
Pass Offense: 222.0 (42nd)
Rush Offense: 196.0 (26th)
Total Defense: 489.3 (77th)
Pass Defense: 258.7 (63rd)
Rush Defense: 230.7 (73rd)
Turnover +/-: +6 (T-6th)
Returning Individual Leaders
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (1-2, 1st season)
Passing: Riley Wiltfong – Passing: 22/46 (.478), 330 yards, 4 td, 2 int; Rushing: 23 carries, 135 yards
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 65 rushes, 348 yards, 5.4 avg, 2 td; Receiving: 5 catches, 37 yards
Receiving: Lane Castaneda – 18 catches, 180 yards, 10.0 avg, 2 td
Defense: D’Mauria Martin – 16 tackles, 3 tfl
Doane
Head Coach: Matt Franzen (63-44, 11th season)
Passing: Jack Shadley – 25/39 (.641), 409 yards, 4 td, 0 int
Rushing: Kyle Jensen – 33 rushes, 224 yards, 6.8 avg, 4 td
Receiving: Hunter Bradley – 11 catches, 207 yards, 18.8 avg, 2 td
Defense: Chayton Crow – 28 tackles, 2 tfl, int
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (1-2, 0-1 GPAC)
9/2 at (20) Kansas Wesleyan, L, 13-28
9/9 vs. Ottawa, W, 24-6
9/16 at (24) Northwestern, L, 21-35
9/23 vs. (7) Doane, 1 p.m. (homecoming)
9/30 at (25) Hastings, 1 p.m.
10/14 vs. Midland, 1 p.m.
10/21 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/28 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
11/4 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
11/11 vs. (4) Morningside, 1 p.m.
Doane (3-0, 1-0 GPAC)
9/2 at (14) Sterling, W, 34-28
9/9 vs. Friends, W, 28-13
9/16 vs. (22) Dakota Wesleyan, W, 68-67
9/23 at Concordia, 1 p.m.
9/30 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
10/7 vs. Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/21 vs. (19) Northwestern, 1 p.m.
10/28 at (25) Hastings, 1 p.m.
11/4 vs. (4) Morningside, 1 p.m.
11/11 at Midland, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
Concordia appeared as the first team outside the national top 25 in the NAIA’s preseason ranking. The Bulldogs are no longer receiving votes in the national poll. Doane checked in at No. 7 in the new ranking released by the NAIA on Monday (Sept. 18).
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 18): NR
Massey Ratings: 45th
Doane
GPAC preseason: 3rd (coaches); 2nd (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 18): 7th
Massey Ratings: 15th
Quarterback watch
Patrick Daberkow and offensive coordinator Thomas Byrd have juggled between juniors Andrew Perea and Riley Wiltfong at the quarterback position. Wiltfong started the first (Kansas Wesleyan) game while Perea got the call for games two and three (Ottawa and Northwestern). Perea has attempted 53 passes. Wiltfong has fired 46 attempts. Last week Wiltfong found three different receivers for touchdown passes and racked up a career high 319 total yards (247 passing, 72 rushing). Wiltfong, a native of Doniphan, Neb., is listed atop this week’s depth chart. He has thrown for 1,742 yards and 18 touchdowns and has run for 450 yards and three scores in 15 career collegiate games.
On the other sideline, Doane is happy to have starter Jack Shadley back at the controls of its offense. In his return last week, Shadley completed 25 of 39 passes for 409 yards and four touchdowns, earning GPAC offensive player of the week accolades. Shadley has compiled 3,308 passing yards and 37 passing touchdowns in his career as a Tiger. Doane had used Trey Lovell and Paul Lozano at quarterback in the season’s first two games prior to Shadley’s reemergence.
No small feat
The starting defense now contains both small brothers, Erik at nose guard and Kevin at inside linebacker. Erik has added starting defensive line duties along with his role as the team’s fullback on offense. Erik has been solid on the interior for a unit that ranks 42nd nationally in total defense. Kevin is set to start his third game in a row. He moved into the lineup after Terrell Pearson suffered a season ending injury. Kevin made a highlight reel hit on Ottawa quarterback Connor Byers in Concordia’s first win of the season. Kevin has 12 tackles, including 1.5 for loss this season. Erik has also made 12 tackles and a has also produced a sack. The Small brothers hail from Los Alamitos, Calif.
Home cooking
Concordia extended its home winning streak when it defeated Ottawa University in its home opener on Sept. 9. The Bulldogs went a perfect 5-0 at home during the 2016 season. Concordia also won its final home contest of 2015, meaning the win streak currently stands at seven. Included in that run are five wins over GPAC opponents and two over squads from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 2016 squad was the program’s first to complete an undefeated home season since 2000.
Seven-game home win streak
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | #22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Reinforcements on the way?
A pair of notable weapons have been missing from the Concordia offensive attack over the first three weeks of the season. Senior Jared Garcia has reappeared this week as one of the receivers on the depth chart’s top line. The Bulldogs also soon hope to welcome back senior TJ Austin. Over his first three seasons at Concordia, Garcia played in each of the team’s 31 games. Unfortunately, an injury suffered in preseason camp has kept the Pearland, Texas, native sidelined so far. He entered 2017 within striking distance of breaking school career receiving records for catches and yards. Garcia remains stuck on 140 receptions for 2,188 yards and 29 touchdowns as one of the most prolific pass catchers ever to wear the Bulldog uniform. Austin split time at quarterback over his first three years, amassing 2,661 total yards and 23 total touchdowns. Both players can add juice to an offense currently averaging 19.3 points per game.
Series drought
The Bulldogs hope to continue their home win streak while also putting an end to a 12-game series losing skid against Doane. The last Concordia win over the Tigers came on Oct. 29, 2005, when star Bulldog running back JaMaine Lewis ran for 131 yards on 21 carries, leading the way in a 23-10 victory in Crete. There have been close calls in recent years. The 2015 matchup was a classic overtime battle that resulted in a 23-20 Doane triumph. With the game tied 20-20, Concordia was stopped on a fourth-and-goal at the one-yard-line with 2:22 left in the game. The Tigers had all kinds of trouble containing Jared Garcia, who caught six passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. A year earlier, Doane came all the way back from a 20-0 deficit and topped the Bulldogs, 23-20, in Crete. Concordia defeated the Tigers in three consecutive meetings from 2003 to 2005.
Scouting Doane
Under head coach Matt Franzen’s direction, Doane has an overall record of 48-17 since the beginning of the 2011 season. The Tigers are coming off back-to-back NAIA playoff appearances. Doane comes into this week’s matchup highly rated behind an offense that piled up 597 total yards in last week’s come-from-behind win. Franzen’s squad will look to shore up a defense that surrendered 798 yards, including 405 through the air and 393 on the ground, to Dakota Wesleyan. Offensively, the Tigers have found a nice replacement for Nate Meier, who rushed for 3,838 yards in his career. Kyle Jensen ran for 142 yards in the season opening win over Sterling College as Doane adjusted without quarterback Jack Shadley over the first two contests of 2017. Defensively, the Tigers have yielded their share of yards, but they have been quite opportunistic, taking the ball away from their opponents 13 times already this season. Considering its current position in the national poll, Doane is expected to contend for a third NAIA playoff berth in a row. The Tigers’ most recent postseason victory came in 1997.
D flattens No. 7 Doane on victorious homecoming
SEWARD, Neb. – A first quarter to forget turned into a homecoming to remember. Despite a flood of first quarter turnovers, the Concordia University football team finally figured out how to beat Doane. The return of senior Jared Garcia aided the Bulldogs in a come-from-behind 29-18 upset of the seventh-ranked Tigers in front of a packed Bulldog Stadium crowd.
Head coach Patrick Daberkow defeated Doane three times during his playing career. He’s now 1-0 as a head coach against a rival that had topped Concordia (2-2, 1-1 GPAC) in each of the previous 11 meetings. One streak ended while the home win streak moved to eight.
“We’re starting to put a game together,” Daberkow said. “I think we were about four or five plays away from being in that thing last week (at Northwestern). This team is full of fighters. It’s not hard to get them to go out and fight. We’re starting to put the execution with it and I think that’s why, in the second half, we were able to take care of things.”
A week after putting up 68 points in a wild win over Dakota Weselayn, the Tigers (3-1, 1-1 GPAC) were stifled by a bruising Bulldog defense led by the likes of linebacker Kordell Glause. Doane managed only 85 total yards in the second half, turned the ball over four times and punted eight times. Of the Tigers’ two touchdowns, one was scored on a pick six and another was set up by an interception.
In other words, it was an utterly dominant performance by Concordia’s defense. It was fitting that senior D’Mauria Martin sealed the win with one of his two interceptions on the day. Martin and the rest of the senior class shared a burning desire to take down Doane.
“It feels great right now (to beat Doane),” Martin said. “We’ve been so close since I’ve been here. We’ve been up and we never finish out the deal. It’s great for all of us to come together and get this victory.”
Offensively, Concordia got a boost with the return of Garcia at receiver and TJ Austin at running back. Garcia caught five passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. His five-yard scoring snag from quarterback Andrew Perea gave the Bulldogs a 29-16 advantage. With that touchdown, Garcia became the fifth player in program history to reach 30 career touchdowns. Garcia already owned the school record for career receiving touchdowns.
The return to the starting lineup couldn’t have gone much better for Garcia, who also had a 32-yard reception that set up Austin’s one-yard plunge. It all added up to a memorable homecoming win.
“This is my fourth year and I don’t think the team has ever been this excited or felt this pumped about a win,” Garcia said. “I’m excited to see where it takes us.”
Concordia somehow overcame three interceptions by Doane cornerback Cole Wiseman, who also blocked a field goal, and a blocked punt that occurred in the fourth quarter. Less than nine minutes into action, a pair of interceptions were the main culprit in regards to the 13-0 Bulldog deficit. But the defense stuck with it and gave the offense time to get on track.
Martin had a crucial interception in the first quarter that helped prevent the disadvantage from growing any larger. Concordia found traction with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that chewed up 6:32 of game time and resulted in Austin’s touchdown. After Doane’s touchdown at the 6:27 mark of the first quarter, the contest was decidedly one sided in favor of the Bulldogs.
“We felt very confident this week because of the week of practice that we had,” Daberkow said. “The seniors banded together. We had to face some adversity this week. They really kept this team unified. It’s a testament to these players and the work they put in.”
Glause made a huge impact from his spot at linebacker. His interception in the second quarter set Concordia up with a first and goal at the eight. On the very next play, Perea connected with Jackson Hall for an eight-yard scoring strike. The Bulldogs led 14-13 and the momentum had shifted. Later on, Glause added a sack of Jack Shadley, forcing a Doane punt in the third quarter.
It was a miserable day for Shadley, fresh off being named GPAC offensive player of the week. The Tiger signal caller went 14-for-39 for 153 yards and three interceptions. Doane mustered only 234 total yards. Meanwhile, Concordia gained 256 yards in a slugfest. Perea went 16-for-29 for 152 yards, two touchdowns and three picks. Durdon topped the Bulldogs with 62 rushing yards on 15 carries. Austin carried the ball 20 times for 49 yards while recording his seventh and eighth career rushing touchdowns.
Prior to Saturday, Concordia had not defeated Doane since a 23-10 victory in Crete on Oct. 29, 2005. The end of the drought was sweet relief for the Bulldogs, who sang the Doxology in the postgame locker room as part of the celebration.
The Bulldogs will hit the road next week for a GPAC clash with Hastings (3-0, 0-0 GPAC). Kickoff from Lloyd Wilson Field is set for 1 p.m. CT. Concordia has won the last two meetings with the Broncos, including last season’s 31-28 victory. That win completed an undefeated home season for the Bulldogs in 2016.
Game notes: Bulldogs shift focus to Hastings after homecoming upset
SEWARD, Neb. – Now it’s time to find out if last week’s 29-18 upset of seventh-ranked Doane can springboard the Concordia University football team throughout the remainder of the GPAC season. The Bulldogs extended their home winning streak to eight with the signature victory that saw the Tigers manage only 234 total yards. The Bulldogs will be seeking their first road win of the season on Saturday.
The opponent will be Hastings, which cracked the national rankings a week ago on the strength of a 3-0 start. Kickoff from Lloyd Wilson in Hastings on Saturday is set for 1 p.m. CT. The Broncos suffered their first defeat on Sunday night in a game played at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion, S.D. A late field goal lifted Dakota Wesleyan to a 38-35 victory over the Broncos. Hastings slipped up despite 159 rushing yards by Tahj Willingham.
GAME INFO
Concordia (2-2, 1-1) at Hastings (3-1, 0-1)
Saturday, Sept. 30 | 1 p.m.
Lloyd Wilson Field | Hastings, Neb.
Webcast/Live Stats: Stretch Internet
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2017 Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 21.8 (63rd)
Defensive PPG: 21.8 (17th)
Total Offense: 358.0 (52nd)
Pass Offense: 185.3 (54th)
Rush Offense: 172.8 (32nd)
Total Defense: 349.8 (T-28th)
Pass Defense: 212.8 (37th)
Rush Defense: 137.0 (31st)
Turnover +/-: -1 (T-47th)
Hastings
Offensive PPG: 41.3 (16th)
Defensive PPG: 21.3 (T-16th)
Total Offense: 421.0 (28th)
Pass Offense: 174.5 (59th)
Rush Offense: 246.5 (10th)
Total Defense: 350.0 (30th)
Pass Defense: 132.5 (5th)
Rush Defense: 217.5 (71st)
Turnover +/-: +8 (T-2nd)
Returning Individual Leaders
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (2-2, 1st season)
Passing: Andrew Perea – 45/82 (.549), 411 yards, 3 td, 3 int
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 80 rushes, 410 yards, 5.1 avg, 2 td; Receiving: 10 catches, 49 yards
Receiving: Lane Castaneda – 18 catches, 180 yards, 10.0 avg, 2 td
Defense: D’Mauria Martin – 21 tackles, 4 tfl, 2 int
Hastings
Head Coach: Tony Harper (31-34, 7th season)
Passing: Anthony Cloyd – 44/83 (.530), 588 yards, 6 td, 0 int; rushing: 62 carries, 302 yards, 4.9 avg, 4 td
Rushing: Tahj Willingham – 81 rushes, 500 yards, 6.2 avg, 8 td; receiving: 4 catches, 39 yards
Receiving: Noah Housh – 14 catches, 207 yards, 14.8 avg, 2 td
Defense: Tyler Kennedy – 29 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 1 sack
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (2-2, 1-1 GPAC)
9/2 at (20) Kansas Wesleyan, L, 13-28
9/9 vs. Ottawa, W, 24-6
9/16 at (24) Northwestern, L, 21-35
9/23 vs. (7) Doane, W, 29-18 (homecoming)
9/30 at Hastings, 1 p.m.
10/14 vs. (24) Midland, 1 p.m.
10/21 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/28 vs. (25) Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
11/4 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
11/11 vs. (4) Morningside, 1 p.m.
Hastings (3-1, 0-1 GPAC)
8/26 at Jamestown, W, 31-3
9/2 at Southwestern, W, 52-35
9/9 vs. Valley City State, W, 47-9
9/24 at Dakota Wesleyan, L, 35-38
9/30 vs. Concordia, 1 p.m.
10/7 vs. Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
10/14 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/21 at (4) Morningside, 1 p.m.
10/28 vs. (14), Doane, 1 p.m.
Nov. 4 at (24) Midland, 1 p.m.
Nov. 11 vs. (19) Northwestern, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
Concordia appeared as the first team outside the national top 25 in the NAIA’s preseason ranking. The Bulldogs again received votes this week on the strength of their upset win over Doane. Meanwhile, Hastings has fallen out of the top 25 on the heels of the loss to Dakota Wesleyan. The victory over Doane also pushed Concordia from 45th to 36th in Massey Ratings.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 25): receiving votes
Massey Ratings: 36th
Hastings
GPAC preseason: 8th (coaches); T-7th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 25): receiving votes
Massey Ratings: 32nd
Defense rounds into form
Some growing pains were to be expected for a unit that replaced eight starters from the 2016 team. After being burned by the big plays of Northwestern freshman quarterback Tyson Kooima in week three, Concordia tightened the screws on Doane. The familiar faces like D’Mauria Martin (two interceptions of Tiger quarterback Jack Shadley) and Tarence Roby continue to shine while up-and-coming stars are emerging. The next wave of standout defensive players includes the likes of Lane Napier (team high nine tackles vs. Doane), Kordell Glause (interception and sack vs. Doane) and Aaron Rudloff (five quarterback hurries vs. Doane). The Concordia defense limited the high powered Tiger offense to 234 total yards and forced four turnovers and eight punts.
Napier on the tackle
An Aquinas High School product, Napier has forced his way into a starting inside linebacker role as a tackling machine. The native of David City, Neb., now leads the team with 25 tackles. Twenty-four of those stops have come over the past three outings. Capable of playing on both sides of the ball, Napier has also carried the football six times for 28 yards. Also a basketball and track athlete as a prep, Napier earned first team all-state recognition his senior year.
Stevens takes over punting role
Peyton Stevens (Polk, Neb.) claimed the punting role, taking it over in week three at Northwestern. Since then, Stevens has punted 12 times for an average of 36.4 yards per attempt. He has down four punts inside the 20 and hit on a long of 50. Kicker Brendan Cremin handled the punting over the first two weeks. He booted the ball 14 times for an average of 34.5 yards per attempt. Cremin continues to serve as the placekicker. He has gone 10-for-10 on extra point tries and is 1-for-4 on field goal attempts.
Perea/Wiltfong prove capable
An ankle injury forced Riley Wiltfong to miss the homecoming game. He’s back at the No. 1 spot on the depth chart this week. Wiltfong and the passing game began to put things together in the fourth quarter at Northwestern. The Doniphan, Neb., native threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to the Red Raiders. Wiltfong provides more of a dual threat at quarterback. He has run for 135 yards in his three games of action this season. On the other hand, the strong armed Perea has tossed for 411 yards and three touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Thomas Byrd hopes to settle in at quarterback and improve upon the team’s pass efficiency rating of 111.0.
‘The curse is over’
As Patrick Daberkow exclaimed in the locker room after beating Doane, “the curse is over.” Concordia finally snapped what had been an 11-game series losing streak to the rival Tigers. Daberkow earned his first signature win as head coach, defeating a program that has made back-to-back NAIA playoff appearances under head coach Matt Franzen. Daberkow played for three different Bulldog teams that defeated Doane. The Bulldogs had not celebrated a victory over the Tigers since 2005.
Home cooking
Concordia’s home win streak has moved to eight with wins at 2017 Bulldog Stadium victories over Ottawa University and Doane. The Bulldogs went a perfect 5-0 at home during the 2016 season. Concordia also won its final home contest of 2015. Included in that run are six wins over GPAC opponents and two over squads from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 2016 squad was the program’s first to complete an undefeated home season since 2000.
Eight-game home win streak
9/23/17 | W, 29-18 | No. 7 Doane
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | #22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Scouting Hastings
The Broncos rely upon a star at running back in junior Tahj Willingham, who has rushed for 100 yards or more in each of the first four games. Willingham appears to be the team’s workhorse back now after carrying the football 151 times for 989 yards over his first two seasons at Hastings. Head coach Tony Harper’s squad scorched its first three opponents, scoring an average of 44.0 points during that stretch. Willingham is complimented by Anthony Cloyd, a quarterback capable of using his feet to beat opponents. The passing game is still a work in progress, but receiver Noah Housh has enjoyed a productive career. Defensively, Hastings has been susceptible to the run, ranking 71st nationally in rush defense. The Broncos are just 11-15 at home since going 5-0 at Lloyd Wilson Stadium in 2011.
Bulldogs burned by Broncos, Willingham
HASTINGS, Neb. – The Concordia University football team is still trying to figure out how to win away from home. For the second game in a row, the Bulldogs spotted their opponent a pick six. This time around Concordia couldn’t recover while suffering a 38-18 setback at Hastings.
First-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad is now 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play. The Bulldogs have gone winless in three tries on the road.
“We got beat as a unit. We all played a role in this,” Daberkow said during a postgame interview on 104.9 Max Country. “I think special teams did a good job today. Tarence Roby had a lot of yards on kick returns. Unfortunately we had a lot of kick returns today. It starts with the head football coach. We need to do some things differently if we’re going to finish out the home stretch the way we want to.”
A tight 7-0 game at halftime got out of hand in the fourth quarter as running back Tahj Willingham and the Bronco offensive line wore down Concordia. Willingham racked up 169 yards on 29 carries and reached the end zone twice. His two-yard scoring plunge late in the final quarter put a cherry on top of a happy homecoming for Hastings (4-1, 1-1 GPAC)+. The Bronco ground game churned out 276 of the team’s 472 total yards.
Offensively, Concordia managed only 4.8 yards per play on 61 plays. Quarterback Andrew Perea found Vincent Beasley on scoring tosses of 15 and seven yards. Both came too late for the Bulldogs, who trailed 31-6 midway through the fourth quarter. It was a fine day for receiver Jackson Hall, who snagged six passes for 123 yards with a long of 37. Perea went 15-for-30 for 195 yards and two touchdowns.
Roby continues to provide electricity with the ball in his hands. He totaled 244 return yards while averaging 39 yards per kickoff return. Roby entered the day averaging 108 all-purpose yards per game and ranked in the top 15 nationally in in kick and punt return average per attempt.
Roby’s fine returns were not enough to overcome the production of Willingham and quarterback Anthony Cloyd. They combined for 257 rushing yards. Cloyd also threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Noah Housh went over 100 yards receiving on just two catches.
Lane Napier and Shane Scott shared a Concordia team high of seven tackles apiece. Scott registered a sack and three tackles for loss. From his linebacker spot, Kevin Small recorded six tackles, including one for loss.
The Bronco defense limited the Bulldogs to 79 rushing yards on 28 carries. Ryan Durdon topped Concordia with 43 rushing yards on 13 attempts. Sir-Zavius Broussard netted 38 yards on six rushes. Broussard even threw a pass that resulted in an 18-yard gain.
The Bulldogs will be off next Saturday before returning to action on Oct. 14 when No. 24 Midland (4-1, 2-1 GPAC) visits Seward for a 1 p.m. CT kickoff. Last season Concordia defeated the Warriors, 20-14, inside Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs will carry an eight-game home winning streak into the contest.
Said Daberkow, “We’ve got some guys banged up that we can hopefully get back for the last half of the season when Midland comes to town. We’ll have some time to fix the things that showed up to be wrong today.”
Game notes: Bulldogs to host Midland off of bye week
SEWARD, Neb. – Exactly halfway through its 10-game schedule, the Concordia University football team is set to return to action this week after a bye this past Saturday. The Bulldogs have been idle since a 38-18 loss at Hastings on Sept. 30. First-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad stands at 2-3 overall with the season’s biggest highlight being a 29-18 victory over then seventh-ranked Doane on Sept. 23.
Meanwhile, Midland has dropped to 4-2 after suffering losses to No. 25 Dakota Wesleyan and No. 19 Northwestern over the past two weeks. The fortunes of the program have improved significantly since Jeff Jamrog became head coach last year. Jamrog has a record of 11-6 at the helm of the Warriors. Midland has won two of its first three road games in 2017.
GAME INFO
Midland (4-2, 2-2) at Concordia (2-3, 1-2)
Saturday, Oct. 14 | 1 p.m.
Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
Live Stats: Stretch Internet
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2017 Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 21.0 (63rd)
Defensive PPG: 25.0 (32nd)
Total Offense: 344.8 (57th)
Pass Offense: 190.8 (53rd)
Rush Offense: 154.0 (T-45th)
Total Defense: 374.2 (35th)
Pass Defense: 212.4 (40th)
Rush Defense: 161.8 (43rd)
Turnover +/-: -2 (T-51st)
Midland
Offensive PPG: 30.7 (T-37th)
Defensive PPG: 28.8 (T-46th)
Total Offense: 342.0 (58th)
Pass Offense: 165.2 (66th)
Rush Offense: 176.8 (36th)
Total Defense: 446.5 (75th)
Pass Defense: 265.8 (77th)
Rush Defense: 180.7 (52nd)
Turnover +/-: +6 (T-12th)
Individual Leaders
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (2-3, 1st season)
Passing: Andrew Perea – 61/113 (.540), 624 yards, 5 td, 4 int
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 93 rushes, 453 yards, 4.9 avg, 2 td; Receiving: 12 catches, 61 yards
Receiving: Jackson Hall – 14 catches, 246 yards, 17.6 avg, 2 td
Defense: Kordell Glause – 24 tackles, 3 tfl, 2 sacks, int
Midland
Head Coach: Jeff Jamrog (11-6, 2nd season)
Passing: Garry Cannon – 69/117 (.590), 820 yards, 10 td, 3 int; rushing: 68 carries, 256 yards, 3.8 avg, 3 td
Rushing: Lukas Vopnford – 63 rushes, 380 yards, 6.0 avg, 4 td; receiving: 9 catches, 141 yards, 2 td
Receiving: Mike Seawell – 13 catches, 206 yards, 15.8 avg, 2 td
Defense: Wyatt Tremayne – 45 tackles, 6 tfl, fr
Schedule/results
Concordia (2-3, 1-2 GPAC)
9/2 at (20) Kansas Wesleyan, L, 13-28
9/9 vs. Ottawa, W, 24-6
9/16 at (24) Northwestern, L, 21-35
9/23 vs. (7) Doane, W, 29-18 (homecoming)
9/30 at Hastings, L, 18-38
10/14 vs. Midland, 1 p.m.
10/21 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/28 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
11/4 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
11/11 vs. (4) Morningside, 1 p.m.
Midland (4-2, 2-2 GPAC)
9/2 at Friends, W, 29-24
9/9 vs. North Park, W, 24-14
9/16 vs. Briar Cliff, W, 56-28
9/23 at Dordt, W, 33-28
9/30 at (25) Dakota Wesleyan, L, 21-55
10/7 vs. (19) Northwestern, L, 21-24
10/14 at Concordia, 1 p.m.
10/28 at (4) Morningside, 1 p.m.
11/4 vs. (19) Hastings, 1 p.m.
11/11 vs. (19) Doane, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
Neither team received votes in the NAIA coaches’ poll released on Monday (Oct. 9). Midland checked in at No. 24 on Sept. 25 after a 4-0 start. The Warriors dropped out the next week following their first loss of the campaign. Meanwhile, Concordia has received votes in two of this season’s polls. In the Massey Ratings, both squads appear inside the top 50.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Oct. 9): did not receive votes
Massey Ratings: 47th
Midland
GPAC preseason: 4th (coaches); 4th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Oct. 9): did not receive votes
Massey Ratings: 40th
Happy returns
Saturday’s game could come down to special teams. Two of the nation’s top return men will be on display. In terms of kickoff return yards, the contest will feature the nation’s leading kick returner in Exavier Edwards (505 yards) and the NAIA’s No. 3 kick returner in Tarence Roby (475). Roby (33.9) averages slightly more yards per return than Edwards (31.6). A native of Rockford, Ill., Roby returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in the 24-6 win over Ottawa University (Kan.). In addition, he ranks ninth nationally in yards per punt return (11.9) and 20th in the NAIA in all-purpose yards per game (135.2). An all-conference performer at cornerback, Roby has found the end zone five times in his career (twice on kick returns and one apiece on interception, fumble and punt returns).
Hall pass
Sophomore receiver Jackson Hall has been a breakout performer this fall. The native of Berthoud, Colo., recorded his second 100-yard receiving effort of the season at Hastings where he caught six passes for 123 yards. He also reeled in five balls for 108 yards and a touchdown at Northwestern. Hall tops the Bulldogs with 246 receiving yards on the year. He has already dwarfed his freshman statistics of eight catches for 87 yards in 2016. The team’s top receiver in terms of catches is freshman Lane Castaneda, who has 20 receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns.
Offensive rhythm
The bye week gave Concordia time to fine tune an offense that has produced modest results (57th nationally in total offense) to this point. The Bulldogs hope to have junior quarterback Riley Wiltfong healthy again soon. The native of Doniphan, Neb., is the team’s most experienced quarterback. He’s also second on the team to Ryan Durdon (453 rushing yards) in rushing. Andrew Perea has started the past two games at quarterback. In those contests, Perea threw for a combined 365 yards and four touchdowns. At running back, freshman Sir-Zavius Broussard has become more involved. He rushed six times for 38 yards at Hastings.
Home cooking
Concordia’s home win streak has moved to eight with 2017 wins at Bulldog Stadium over Ottawa University and Doane. The Bulldogs went a perfect 5-0 at home during the 2016 season. Concordia also won its final home contest of 2015. Included in that run are six wins over GPAC opponents and two over squads from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 2016 squad was the program’s first to complete an undefeated home season since 2000.
Eight-game home win streak
9/23/17 | W, 29-18 | No. 7 Doane
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | #22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Five in a row
The home win streak and a five-game series win streak versus Midland will be on the line on Saturday. The last three games against the Warriors have each been decided by seven points or less. The 2015 meeting resulted in one of the greatest second half comebacks in Concordia football history. The Bulldogs trailed 35-14 late in the third quarter before Garrett Folchert connected on three touchdown passes (two to Jared Garcia and one to Brandon Luetchens) to force overtime. In the extra session, Midland settled for a field goal and then Bryce Collins ended the game with a 16-yard rushing touchdown on a fourth-and-one play. Folchert enjoyed one of the most productive single games ever for a Concordia quarterback, finishing with 315 yards and four touchdowns through the air. Last season’s 20-14 Concordia win was not as closely contested as the final score made it appear. The Bulldogs outgained Midland 334-234 and led 20-7 when the Warriors scored a touchdown with two seconds remaining in the game. Linebacker Kordell Glause recorded six tackles (one for loss) and a fumble recovery in a dominant defensive performance.
Scouting Midland
A 4-0 start propelled Midland into the NAIA top 25 rankings, but the Warriors slipped in their next two outings and were bounced from the poll. The Warriors will attempt to avoid the fate they endured last season when they jumped out to a 5-0 record before finishing at 7-4 overall. Midland possesses a returning starter at quarterback in Chula Vista, Calif., native Garry Cannon, who has thrown 19 touchdowns and for nearly 2,500 yards in 15 career games as a Warrior. Cannon and running back Lukas Vopnford give Midland a solid rushing attack that churns out more than 175 yards per game. Defensively, the Warriors have been gutted during conference play and now rank 75th nationally in total defense. Though only 5-foot-9, linebacker Wyatt Tremayne averages 7.5 tackles per game and has made six stops in the backfield. Exavier Edwards is dangerous in the return game. Head coach Jeff Jamrog, a former member of the University of Nebraska coaching staff, quickly improved a program that went 2-8 prior to his arrival in Fremont. Midland was pegged to finish fourth in the GPAC by both the coaches and media preseason polls.
Durdon equals school rushing record in rout of Midland
SEWARD, Neb. – If you missed it on Saturday, you missed the Ryan Durdon and D’Mauria Martin variety show. A school record single-game rushing total by Durdon and three first-quarter interceptions by Martin spurred the Concordia University football team to a 44-14 win over visiting Midland on a foggy, misty day in Seward. The home win streak has moved to nine for Concordia.
First-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad is a perfect 3-0 at home in 2017. It now stands at 3-3 overall and at 2-2 in conference play.
“It was not something that took us by surprise as far as Ryan running for a lot of yards,” Daberkow said. “He is a really good running back. Our offensive line has never played at the level they’re playing at now. Coach (Thomas) Byrd is doing a great job with them. It was just fun to see it.
“We went to sub guys and Von (Thomas) said, ‘Hey, he’s four yards away from getting the record.’ So we let him in for two more plays. It was good to see him get it.”
Durdon and the running game busted loose in a big way on Saturday. Durdon broke free for touchdown scores of 41, 54, three and 20 yards behind a bulldozing offensive line. Durdon’s record breaking rushing total ended up at 266. He clipping the previous GPAC era standard of 261 set by JaMaine Lewis in 2007 and equaled the school record of 266 set by Randy Pospishil in 1972. Durdon, a native of Decatur, Texas, cracked the century mark for the first time since his 208-yard output in the season opener at Kansas Wesleyan University. Durdon now owns two of the program’s five 200-yard rushing games during the GPAC era (2000-present).
Concordia wound up with 50 rushing attempts compared to 13 passes. Clearly, the Bulldogs executed a game plan focused on letting No. 19 do his thing. Durdon moved into a tie for the record with a seven-yard rush on his final carry of the game.
“It was amazing. The o-line demolished people,” Durdon said. “Seth Fitzke’s always manhandling people. Robert Ferguson the fullback is always leading the hole for me in space.’
“I put my helmet on. I was getting ready to go back in and they told me I was five yards away (from the record). I’m thankful that someone was looking at that. It’s definitely a great accomplishment. I’m excited for it.”
Martin put on a show during a first quarter that included a tackle in the backfield in addition to the three picks. Martin’s second and third interceptions both led to touchdown passes by Riley Wiltfong. One went to Jackson Hall for nine yards and another went to Lane Castaneda for 23 yards. Martin now has a team high five interceptions this season.
“It was just coaches. They put us in a two-deep coverage,” Martin said. “I was just roaming around and he was throwing me the ball, basically. I couldn’t be more proud of my teammates. We came out with a dominant victory.”
The Bulldog defense responded admirably following a 38-18 loss at Hastings two weeks ago. Led by Martin, the swarming unit swallowed up a Warrior offense that managed 264 total yards. The Midland rushing attack sputtered, gaining 71 yards on 31 attempts.
The crisp and misty weather lent itself to a ground and pound type of day. Back from injury, Wiltfong spent most of the day feeding his backs. Wiltfong went 8-for-11 for 107 yards and two touchdowns in a successful return. The team’s 321 rushing yards made life easy on Wiltfong, who recovered after an early interception. TJ Austin also toted the ball 13 times for 54 yards. Wiltfong’s eight completions went to three different receivers, including Vincent Beasley (two catches, 47 yards).
Payton Nelson relieved Midland starting quarterback Garry Cannon, who threw interceptions on two of his three pass attempts. Top Warrior rusher Lukas Vopnford was stifled, rushing 12 times for 36 yards. However, Vopnford did catch four passes for 74 yards.
For Concordia, it was simply about getting back to basics during its bye week. The Bulldogs played smash mouth football on Saturday.
“Simplicity and getting down to doing what we do best,” said Daberkow of the bye week message. “It was really just shoring up some things. We did nothing crazy over the bye week.”
The Bulldogs will be back on the road next Saturday (Oct. 21) for a contest at Dordt (4-2, 2-2 GPAC). Kickoff from Sioux Center, Iowa, is slated for 1 p.m. CT. This week the Defenders received votes in the national coaches’ poll for the first time in their history. Concordia has lost just once all-time against Dordt.
Game notes: Concordia looks to build off blowout of Midland
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University football team has not won or lost consecutive games all season, trading victories at home with defeats on the road. The Bulldogs hope to buck the trend this Saturday when they visit Dordt for a 1 p.m. CT kickoff in Sioux Center, Iowa. Head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad is coming off a dominant 44-14 home win over Midland.
On the other side, the Defenders appear to have their best team yet since the football program kicked off its first season in 2008. In his second season in Sioux Center, head coach Joel Penner has his team off to a 4-2 start that includes back-to-back wins over NAIA top 25 teams: No. 12 Doane and No. 19 Hastings. Last week’s victory over the Broncos ended in double overtime.
GAME INFO
Concordia (3-3, 2-2) at Dordt (4-2, 2-2)
Saturday, Oct. 21 | 1 p.m.
Open Space Park Football Field | Sioux Center, Iowa
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
Live Stats: Dakstats
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2017 Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 24.8 (55th)
Defensive PPG: 23.2 (23rd)
Total Offense: 358.7 (54th)
Pass Offense: 176.8 (60th)
Rush Offense: 181.8 (35th)
Total Defense: 355.8 (23rd)
Pass Defense: 209.2 (35th)
Rush Defense: 146.7 (34th)
Turnover +/-: 0 (T-39th)
Dordt
Offensive PPG: 34.2 (29th)
Defensive PPG: 26.3 (38th)
Total Offense: 487.2 (12th)
Pass Offense: 201.3 (47th)
Rush Offense: 285.8 (4th)
Total Defense: 421.7 (65th)
Pass Defense: 216.7 (T-42nd)
Rush Defense: 205.0 (65th)
Turnover +/-: +4 (T-22nd)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (3-3, 1st season)
Passing: Riley Wiltfong – 30/57 (.526), 437 yards, 6 td, 3 int; rushing: 26 carries, 130 yards, 5.0 avg
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 121 rushes, 719 yards, 5.9 avg, 6 td; Receiving: 12 catches, 61 yards
Receiving: Jackson Hall – 17 catches, 268 yards, 15.8 avg, 3 td
Defense: D’Mauria Martin – 25 tackles, 5 tfl, 5 int, 4 pbu, ff
Dordt
Head Coach: Joel Penner (9-8, 2nd season)
Passing: Brock Lamle – 62/126 (.492), 1,150 yards, 11 td, 3 int; rushing: 27 carries, 98 yards, 3.6 avg
Rushing: Keithen Drury – 119 rushes, 795 yards, 6.7 avg, 8 td; receiving: 2 catches, 16 yards
Receiving: Levi Jungling – 31 catches, 687 yards, 22.2 avg, 6 td
Defense: Josiah Kotte – 44 tackles, 9 tfl
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (3-3, 2-2 GPAC)
9/2 at (20) Kansas Wesleyan, L, 13-28
9/9 vs. Ottawa, W, 24-6
9/16 at (24) Northwestern, L, 21-35
9/23 vs. (7) Doane, W, 29-18 (homecoming)
9/30 at Hastings, L, 18-38
10/14 vs. Midland, W, 44-14
10/21 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/28 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
11/4 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
11/11 vs. (4) Morningside, 1 p.m.
Dordt (4-2, 2-2 GPAC)
9/2 at Bethel, W, 44-10
9/9 vs. Waldorf, W, 59-14
9/16 at (4) Morningside, L, 23-62
9/23 vs. Midland, L, 28-33
10/7 at (12) Doane, W, 21-16
10/14 vs. (19) Hastings, W, 30-23 (2 OT)
10/21 vs. Concordia, 1 p.m.
10/28 at (17) Northwestern, 1 p.m.
11/4 at Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
11/11 vs. Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
Both teams have received votes in the national poll during this season. Dordt is currently knocking on the door of its first-ever top 25 ranking. The Defenders collected 12 points in the poll released on Monday (Oct. 16) and were second among others receiving votes. The two teams are closely grouped in the latest Massey Ratings (see below).
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Oct. 16): did not receive votes
Massey Ratings: 41st
Dordt
GPAC preseason: 7th (coaches); 7th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Oct. 16): second among others receiving votes
Massey Ratings: 35th
Durdon breaks out in record-setting performance
Sophomore Ryan Durdon, with the help of fullback Robert Ferguson and a strong offensive line, put together perhaps the finest performance ever by a Concordia running back in last week’s thumping of Midland. The native of Decatur, Texas, equaled the program’s single-game rushing record with 266 yards to go along with four touchdowns on 28 carries, allowing him to earn GPAC offensive player of the week accolades. Durdon’s touchdown runs covered distances of 41, 54, three and 20 yards. His 266 rushing yards rank as the highest single-game total for any NAIA player this season. In program history, there are eight confirmed 200+ yard rushing games. Durdon now has two of those performances. Overall this season, Durdon has rushed for 719 yards and six touchdowns on 121 attempts. He ranks as the nation’s 10th leading rusher in terms of yards per game (119.8). Durdon is currently on pace to become the sixth player in school history to rack up more than 1,000 yards rushing in a single season. The single-season rushing record stands at 1,265, a number recorded by JaMaine Lewis in 2007.
200+ yard rushing games, program history
266 – Ryan Durdon vs. Midland, 2017
266 – Randy Pospishil vs. Dana, 1972
261 – JaMaine Lewis vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 2007
224 – Bob Voelker vs. Doane, 1962
215 – Phillip Elder vs. Doane, 2004
208 – Ryan Durdon vs. Kansas Wesleyan, 2017
208 – Cohl Tufford vs. Dakota State, 2011
206 – Gary Seevers vs. Omaha, 1955
Picking on quarterbacks
GPAC and NAIA national defensive player of the week D’Mauria Martin made Midland quarterbacks pay for their mistakes last week. He plucked all three of his interceptions during the first quarter. Two of those picks led to touchdown passes for quarterback Riley Wiltfong. In his first season playing safety after three years as a starting corner, the Converse, Texas, native has a team high five interceptions on the season. That total ranks him second nationally behind only Doane’s Cole Wiseman. The school record for interceptions in a season is a lofty nine picks. Four different Bulldogs have accomplished that feat: Sean Stewart (2002), Andy Schwich (1979), Steve Sirek (1970) and Jim Young (1964). In addition to the five picks, Martin has recorded five tackles for loss and four pass breakups.
Wiltfong’s return
The return of Riley Wiltfong from injury is a positive for an offense that rolled up 428 yards in last week’s win. With Durdon and others like TJ Austin in the backfield, Concordia isn’t necessarily a pass-happy offensive team. What Wiltfong excelled at against Midland was making plays on third and long to extend drives. On the first touchdown drive last week, Wiltfong converted a third-and-six with an eight-yard strike to Jackson Hall. In addition, Wiltfong found Vincent Beasley for 13 on a third-and-10 on a second quarter touchdown drive, hit Hall for five on a third-and-five on another touchdown drive and fired for 34 yards to Beasley on a third-and-eight, leading to a Brendan Cremin field goal. A Doniphan, Neb., native, Wiltfong shook off an early interception and went 8-for-11 for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
On the run
Saturday’s outcome could come down to which side does a better job of stopping the run. On one side of the ball, Dordt’s 65th-ranked rush defense will have its hands full with Durdon and the Concordia ground game. In last season’s 35-28 Concordia win in Sioux Center, tailback Bryce Collins got loose for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, the Bulldogs’ 34th-ranked rush defense will try to slow down the Defenders’ fourth-ranked rush offense. Dordt has hardly missed a beat despite losing the 2016 national rushing leader, Bryce Lidtka (1,714 rushing yards). In has place stepped Keithen Drury, who is averaging 132.5 rushing yards per game. Backup Levi Schoonhoven has also been productive. He has carried the ball 69 times for 358 yards and three touchdowns.
Weary travelers
Sioux Center happens to be the site of Concordia’s most recent road victory. After going 2-3 away from home last season, the Bulldogs have dropped road games this fall to then No. 20 Kansas Wesleyan University, No. 24 Northwestern and Hastings. Each of those losses have come by double digit margins. Concordia last produced an above .500 road record in 2015 when it went 3-2 on the road as part of a 6-4 campaign.
Home cooking
Concordia’s home win streak has moved to nine with 2017 wins at Bulldog Stadium over Ottawa University, Doane and Midland. The Bulldogs went a perfect 5-0 at home during the 2016 season. Concordia also won its final home contest of 2015. Included in the win streak are seven wins over GPAC opponents and two over squads from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 2016 team was the program’s first to complete an undefeated home season since 2000.
Nine-game home win streak
10/14/17 | W, 44-14 | Midland
9/23/17 | W, 29-18 | No. 7 Doane
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | #22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Series vs. Dordt
The first-ever win for the Dordt football program came against Concordia during the 2008 season. Since then, the Bulldogs have won each of the last eight meetings with the Defenders. Many of those contests have resulted in lopsided final scores. Concordia topped Dordt, 28-12 in 2009, 24-7 in 2010, 21-7 in 2011, 52-12 in 2012, 32-0 in 2013, 38-14 in 2014 and 34-21 in 2015. Last season’s 35-28 result marked the smallest margin of victory for the Bulldogs in the nine-game series history.
Scouting Dordt
Through the first eight seasons of the program’s existence, Dordt failed to win more than two games in any year. Things changed dramatically when Joel Penner took over and changed the culture last year. The Defenders went 5-6 last season with their most significant victory being a 44-43 squeaker over Hastings on the road. Under Penner, the program has featured a more balanced offense with a capable passing attack to go along with a more competitive defense. The running game remains stout while the defense ranks a respectable 38th nationally in scoring (26.3). The battle between running backs Keithen Drury and Ryan Durdon will be worth watching. The Concordia offensive line will have to account for linebacker Josiah Kotte, who has made nine tackles in the backfield.
Martin wins national, GPAC awards; Durdon honored by conference
SEWARD, Neb. – Two days after tearing apart Midland, 44-14, inside Bulldog Stadium, a pair of native Texans on the Concordia University football team raked in individual honors. Named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player of the week Monday (Oct. 16) morning, senior D’Mauria Martin has also been tabbed the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week. A record-setting day also allowed sophomore running back Ryan Durdon to claim GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Offensive Player of the Week accolades.
Martin is the program’s first national player of the week since defensive back Ben Klein collected the NAIA defensive player of the week award on Oct. 12, 2009. Head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad has now garnered three GPAC player of the week awards in 2017. Tarence Roby was selected as the GPAC defensive player of the week on Sept. 11.
A native of Converse, Texas, Martin hauled in all three of his interceptions in the first quarter of the win over Midland. He totaled 78 return yards on the three picks and set up touchdown passes by Riley Wiltfong with his second and third interceptions. A starting corner the previous three seasons, the converted safety also chipped in three tackles, one for loss, and two pass breakups last week. Martin’s five interceptions this season rank as the second highest total of any player in the NAIA. To go along with the five picks, Martin has also posted 25 tackles (five for loss), four pass breakups and a forced fumble this fall.
Also a nominee for national honors, Durdon (Decatur, Texas) equaled a school single-game rushing record by galloping for 266 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries in last week’s win. Durdon cut through the Warrior defense for touchdown runs of 41, 54, three and 20 yards on the way to his second 200-yard rushing performance of the campaign. A converted receiver, Durdon ranks 10th nationally with an average of 119.8 rushing yards per game. He’s currently on track to become the sixth player in program history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.
Durdon, Martin and the rest of the Bulldogs (3-3, 2-2 GPAC) are set to return to action on Saturday with a trip to Dordt (4-2, 2-2 GPAC) on the docket. Kickoff from Sioux Center, Iowa, is set for 1 p.m. CT.
Former backup receiver finds spotlight at running back
We’ll excuse you as a Concordia football fan if you had no idea who Ryan Durdon was before Sept. 2 of this year. Lightly recruited out of Decatur High School, Durdon saw one measly play of varsity action the entire 2016 season. From the sideline he watched, buried on the depth chart as a reserve receiver.
In the final junior varsity contest of 2016, Durdon found himself at running back, a position he hadn’t played since his freshman year of high school. What he showed that day was simply a sign of things to come.
“He shined there so it was a pretty easy move,” said head coach Patrick Daberkow. “He was wanting to try it out. Both sides wanted to take a look at that.”
Durdon has proven to be the answer to a huge offseason question mark that faced the program: who replaces the second most prolific rusher in school history, Bryce Collins? Two 200-yard rushing performances later, Durdon is making a name for himself. After he burned Midland for a school-record tying 266 rushing yards last week, Warrior head coach Jeff Jamrog lamented afterwards that Durdon looked like “Herschel Walker” on that particular day.
But at one point not long ago, it seemed hard to imagine someone without a single college carry would rise to the top of the depth chart as just a sophomore. Durdon brought pass-catching credentials to Concordia as someone who hauled in a combined 109 receptions for 1,795 yards and 19 touchdowns over his final two seasons (2014-15) as a high school player. Durdon really didn’t even know the running back responsibilities for each play when he was thrust into the backfield for junior varsity action last season.
“I guess I’m just going to run towards the right or run towards the left,” Durdon recalled thinking of his first taste of the running back position. “I didn’t know the specific calls. We ended up losing that game. Coach (Vince) Winter said after the game, ‘We may have found you a new position.’ I thought that would be cool because I knew Bryce Collins wasn’t going to be here.”
Durdon gave his best Bryce Collins impression in the season opener at No. 20 Kansas Wesleyan, rushing for 208 yards, 77 of which came on a touchdown burst. Durdon’s debut performance likely had fans checking their game day programs. Who is this No. 19?
Said starting offensive tackle Grady Koch, “He came out and had that really good first game. I think that’s where it started for him. He really did come out of nowhere.”
If one can recall, the only real publicity Durdon received during his freshman year came because of the events of Oct. 2, 2016. His name appeared in several local Nebraska newspapers, but for unfortunate circumstances. Durdon had been a passenger in a car wreck that occurred in southwest Butler County near Surprise, Neb. Four other Concordia football players were also inside the car that entered a ditch, hit a culvert and rolled at 11:55 p.m. on a Sunday.
Durdon escaped with only minor bumps and scratches. He was quickly treated and released from a hospital. Three teammates suffered more significant injuries and spent extended time in a Lincoln hospital before making their recoveries. Durdon gained a new perspective on how blessed he is to have the opportunities he’s been afforded. A scary situation could have had much worse consequences.
Durdon didn’t sleep a wink that night while he worried about the health of his friends. Says Durdon, “At that point I didn’t look at practices like, ‘Oh man, it’s going to be hard today.’ It’s going to be fun. We get to go out there and play football. My friends couldn’t do that anymore. Life is special. We should have never been in that situation. You have to be smart.”
If anything, the accident may have accelerated Durdon’s growth as a person. It certainly didn’t slow his development on the football field. He kept plugging away despite his only varsity action in 2016 being one single play on a kick return. The proper attitude is part of what makes Durdon, and just about any other athlete, a success story.
“He’s a fun-loving kid,” Daberkow said. “He’s a fun person to coach. He’s a great locker room guy. When we played Doane, his reps went down because we got TJ (Austin) back and we were using some other packages. He was just a team player about it. He’s selfless and that’s what’s the most fun part to coach about him.”
Of course it’s also fun watching Durdon, those long brown locks flowing beneath his helmet, running over and past defenders on his way to the end zone. Durdon packs a diverse skill set. He combines power and speed into a 6-foot frame. If you ask Daberkow, it wasn’t the long touchdown runs against Midland that stand out the most, it was his 16-yard rush in which he refused to be tackled. Carrying defenders for several yards, Durdon picked up a first down on a third-and-10 with Concordia backed up near its own end zone.
“He’s a really hard runner,” Koch said. “He’s always fighting for the extra yards. It’s always great to see him always striving for more.”
Last week’s performance brought pride to Decatur, a town with roughly the same population as Seward. Durdon made himself known in small town Texas, where high school football is something of a religion.
Named GPAC offensive player of the week on Monday (Oct. 16), Durdon is now a college feature back as just a sophomore. His play is making Concordia’s football scholarship offer, the first Durdon ever received, look like a stroke of genius.
When No. 19 gets the football in his hands, fans no longer have to go scrambling for their game program. It’s simply another carry for the Texan with a signature record-setting game – and signature hairdo. Joked Durdon, “I like the way it looks coming out of my helmet.”
Defense, ball control offense key road win over Dordt
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Concordia offense held the football for more than 37 minutes of game time while the defense limited host Dordt to its lowest point total of the season. It added up to a 24-17 road victory for the Bulldog football team, which won away from home for the first time in 2017. The Defenders had been coming off back-to-back wins over top 25 opponents.
For the first time this season, first-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad has moved above .500 at 4-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Bulldogs have risen to third place in the GPAC standings.
“It was just a good, fun road win,” Daberkow said. “We finally get to have an enjoyable bus ride home. We got the ball with about seven minutes to go and we didn’t give it back. It’s always fun to end a game with your offense on the field taking a knee in a close game on the road. It’s a great way to finish it off.”
Concordia did its best to play keep away from a Dordt rushing attack that entered the weekend ranked fourth nationally. The Bulldogs ran 87 plays to the Defenders’ 68 while chewing the clock with the help of workhorse running back Ryan Durdon. The reigning GPAC offensive player of the week gobbled up 41 carries and rushed for 136 of the team’s 177 yards on the ground.
After the defense forced a three-and-out midway through the fourth quarter, Concordia’s smash-mouth approached salted away the final 7:01 of game time with the visitors holding onto a touchdown lead. Even when the Defenders expected the run, Durdon still managed a couple of eight-yard bursts on the 14-play drive that melted the clock.
Quarterback Riley Wiltfong engineered Bulldog touchdown drives that covered 56, 53 and 75 yards. The final score of the game came on the first play of the fourth quarter when Wiltfong dropped a perfect 17-yard strike into a bucket. Senior Kiyoshi Brey was on the receiving end of the touchdown toss that proved to be the game winner. Concordia outgained Dordt, 334-300. Wiltfong went 17-for-29 for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
Seniors TJ Austin (three-yard run) and Jared Garcia (four-yard catch) also found the end zone for the victors. Garcia’s 31st career touchdown catch erased what had been a 6-0 deficit in the opening quarter. Garcia led the team with seven receptions for 51 yards. It was also a big day for Brey, who pulled down five passes for 79 yards and a score.
On the other side of the football, D’Mauria Martin and the secondary did a number on Defender quarterback Brock Lamle, who finished 9-for-21 for 73 yards and a touchdown pass. Dordt (4-3, 2-3) had its most success on the ground between the combination of Levi Schoonhoven (88 yards on 15 carries) and Keithen Drury (76 yards on 18 attempts).
Fresh off earning NAIA national defensive player of the week accolades, Martin made six tackles, including one for loss, and broke up a pass. Fellow backfield mate Nate Gilmore collected seven tackles and forced and recovered a fumble. It was that shining effort defensively that paved the way for Concordia’s first road win.
“We talked about eliminating all the distractions,” Daberkow said. “Dordt has become a tough place to play. They have a very active sideline. They can get to people. We worked on that all week. It’s good to see it pay off.”
Durdon has pushed his season rushing total to 855. With three games to go, the Decatur, Texas, native is well on his way to becoming the sixth player in program history to reach 1,000 yards in a single season. Said Daberkow, “We gave him the ball a lot. We wanted to pound the rock. They have a really dangerous offense so we wanted to keep the ball as much as we could. They had a pretty good game plan for us. They really attacked the box. We had some guys step up and make some good plays in the passing game.”
Dordt had been knocking on the door of a national ranking, checking in just outside the top 25 in this week’s poll. The Defenders had beaten No. 12 Doane and No. 19 Hastings in their previous two outings.
The Bulldogs will return to action next Saturday when they host Dakota Wesleyan (5-4, 3-3 GPAC) inside Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff from Seward is set for 1 p.m. CT. It will be Military Appreciation Day at Bulldog Stadium. Military personnel will be admitted free of charge upon display of valid military ID. Concordia hopes to make amends for last season’s 52-30 loss at Dakota Wesleyan.
Game notes: Home win streak on the line on Military Appreciation Day
SEWARD, Neb. – Winner of back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Concordia University football team appears to be hitting its stride with three contests remaining on the 2017 schedule. First-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad claimed its first road win of the fall, following the lead of a ball control offense and playmaking secondary. The Bulldogs topped Dordt, 24-17, in Sioux Center, Iowa. They return home on Saturday to host Dakota Wesleyan for a game that will kick off at 1 p.m. CT.
On the other side of the coin, sixth-year head coach Ross Cimpl’s bunch shook off consecutive losses to top-20 teams by dismantling Briar Cliff, 63-24, last week. The Tigers are headlined by senior quarterback Dillon Turner, who eclipsed 10,000 career passing yards in the victory over the Chargers. With Turner at the controls, Dakota Wesleyan possesses one of the nation’s most potent offenses. It ranks third in the NAIA in total offense (577.3).
GAME INFO
Dakota Wesleyan (5-4, 3-3) at Concordia (4-3, 3-2)
Saturday, Oct. 28 | 1 p.m.
Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
Live Stats: Stretch Internet
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2017 Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 24.7 (56th)
Defensive PPG: 22.3 (20th)
Total Offense: 355.1 (54th)
Pass Offense: 174.0 (61st)
Rush Offense: 181.1 (T-34th)
Total Defense: 347.9 (22nd)
Pass Defense: 189.7 (25th)
Rush Defense: 158.1 (39th)
Turnover +/-: 0 (T-42nd)
Dakota Wesleyan
Offensive PPG: 44.7 (11th)
Defensive PPG: 37.2 (71st)
Total Offense: 577.3 (3rd)
Pass Offense: 319.2 (12th)
Rush Offense: 258.1 (10th)
Total Defense: 483.3 (82nd)
Pass Defense: 290.6 (87th)
Rush Defense: 192.8 (61st)
Turnover +/-: -2 (T-49th)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (4-3, 1st season)
Passing: Riley Wiltfong – 47/86 (.547), 594 yards, 8 td, 3 int; rushing: 31 carries, 135 yards, 4.4 avg
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 162 rushes, 855 yards, 5.3 avg, 6 td; Receiving: 14 catches, 68 yards
Receiving: Jackson Hall – 20 catches, 288 yards, 14.4 avg, 3 td
Defense: D’Mauria Martin – 31 tackles, 6 tfl, 5 int, 5 pbu, ff
Dakota Wesleyan
Head Coach: Ross Cimpl (43-20, 6th season)
Passing: Dillon Turner – 199/311 (.640), 2,774 yards, 31 td, 8 int; rushing: 95 carries, 763 yards, 8.0 avg, 12 td
Rushing: Luke Loudenburg – 123 rushes, 871 yards, 7.1 avg, 8 td; receiving: 18 catches, 176 yards
Receiving: Hayden Adams – 61 catches, 1,087 yards, 17.8 avg, 15 td
Defense: Dillon Rork – 57 tackles, 10 tfl, 3 sacks, 2 pbu, int
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (4-3, 3-2 GPAC)
9/2 at (20) Kansas Wesleyan, L, 13-28
9/9 vs. Ottawa, W, 24-6
9/16 at (24) Northwestern, L, 21-35
9/23 vs. (7) Doane, W, 29-18 (homecoming)
9/30 at Hastings, L, 18-38
10/14 vs. Midland, W, 44-14
10/21 at Dordt, W, 24-17
10/28 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
11/4 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
11/11 vs. (4) Morningside, 1 p.m.
Dakota Wesleyan (5-4, 3-3 GPAC)
8/24 at Dakota State, L, 39-56
9/2 at St. Mary, W, 60-14
9/9 vs. Jamestown, W, 49-12
9/16 at (7) Doane, L, 67-68
9/24 vs. (25) Hastings, W, 38-35
9/30 vs. (24) Midland, W, 55-21
10/7 at (4) Morningside, L, 21-76
10/14 at (17) Northwestern, L, 10-29
10/21 vs. Briar Cliff, W, 63-24
10/28 at Concordia, 1 p.m.
11/4 vs. Dordt, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
Dakota Wesleyan began the month ranked 22nd after a 4-2 start. It then fell out of the rankings after back-to-back setbacks at the hands of No. 4 Morningside and No. 17 Northwestern. In the NAIA coaches’ poll released on Monday (Oct. 23), Concordia collected four points in the poll. The Tigers are no longer receiving votes in the coaches’ poll although they are ranked slightly above the Bulldogs in the latest Massey Ratings.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Oct. 23): receiving votes
Massey Ratings: 33rd
Dakota Wesleyan
GPAC preseason: 2nd (coaches); 3rd (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Oct. 23): did not receive votes
Massey Ratings: 29th
Military Appreciation Game
Saturday has been declared the Military Appreciation Game at Bulldog Stadium. Active and veteran military personnel will be admitted free of charge with presentation of a valid ID. Concordia is co-sponsoring the event along with the Nebraska National Guard. We will welcome to campus members of the 1st Battalion 376th Aviation, 1st Squadron 134th Cavalry and the 110th Multifunctional Medical Battalion of the Nebraska Army National Guard. Additionally, Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters will fly around the stadium prior to kickoff. Football alum Col. Eric Teegerstrom will be on hand with a cannon that will be set off any time a Bulldog football player reaches the end zone.
Durdon shoulders the load
Sophomore Ryan Durdon has become a workhorse tailback for an offense that has found an identity as a run-oriented squad featuring a physical and veteran offensive line. A converted receiver, Durdon has been especially busy over the past two weeks, carrying the football a combined 69 times for 402 yards and four touchdowns in wins over Midland and Dordt. His 266 yards rushing against Midland equaled a program single-game record. Durdon currently ranks 10th nationally with 855 rushing yards this season.
With three games to go, Durdon’s rushing figure already ranks as the 14th highest single-season total in program history. He continues to climb closer to the 1,000-yard mark, a plateau only five players in school history have ever reached. The Decatur, Texas, native needs to average 137.0 rushing yards over the final three outings in order to break the school single-season rushing record held by JaMaine Lewis (1,265 in 2007). The program’s most recent 1,000-yard rusher was Bryce Collins in 2014. Collins owns three of the top 12 rushing seasons in school history.
Program single-season rushing leaders
1. JaMaine Lewis – 1,265 (2007)
2. Cleve Wester – 1,114 (1984)
3. Randy Pospishil – 1,085 (1972)
4. Bryce Collins – 1,016 (2014)
5. Jeff Towns – 1,002 (1979)
6. Cleve Wester – 970 (1983)
7. Ritchie Bishop – 949 (1994)
8. Bryce Collins – 946 (2015)
9. Jeff Towns – 928 (1978)
10. Alex Alvarez – 924 (2001)
11. Phillip Elder – 903 (2004)
12. Bryce Collins – 881 (2016)
13. Cleve Wester – 864 (1985)
14. Ryan Durdon – 855 (2017)
Garcia resumes pursuit of Wurdeman
Prolific senior receiver Jared Garcia returned to the field at Dordt and caught seven passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. The native of Pearland, Texas, owns the program career record for touchdown catches (31) and also the single-season standard bearer for receiving touchdowns (11 in 2014). Additionally, Garcia has a chance to become the school’s all-time leader for career catches and receiving yards. He is currently No. 2 in both categories having totaled 152 catches for 2,301 yards in 33 games as a Bulldog. Former All-American tight end Ross Wurdeman is the current leader with 168 receptions and 2,458 receiving yards. Garcia’s seven grabs at Dordt moved him above Eric Pralle (147) for second on the all-time catches list.
D rounds into form
Since allowing 472 yards in a 38-18 loss at Hastings on Sept. 30, the Bulldog defense has rounded into form. Concordia gave up just 264 yards and 14 points to Midland and 300 yards and 17 points to Dordt. Those performances have crept the Bulldogs up the national leaderboards. They’re now 20th in scoring defense (22.3) and 22nd in total defense (347.9). Senior D’Mauria Martin is enjoying an All-American type of season after switching to safety. He has recorded five interceptions and five pass breakups as a ball-hawker in the secondary. The team’s leading tackler has been true freshman Lane Napier, who has helped solidify a linebacker unit that lost one of the program’s all-time greats at the position, Michael Hedlund. Napier has made 47 stops, including 4.5 tackles for loss. Nine different Bulldogs have recorded at least half a sack. Opposing quarterbacks have completed only 46.9 percent (99-for-211) of their passes.
Keep away
Senior Tarence Roby might just be as good as any return man in NAIA football. No wonder many teams have made an effort to keep the ball out of his hands. In his only kickoff return opportunity last week, Roby took it 44 yards, helping set up Concordia’s first touchdown drive of the game at Dordt. The Bulldogs lead the NAIA in yards per kickoff return (27.3). Roby is still waiting to bust a special teams return for a touchdown in 2017, but he did manage to take an interception 100 yards for a score in a 24-6 win over Ottawa University (Kan.). Roby ranks in the top 10 nationally in both kickoff return yards per attempt (31.7) and punt return yards per attempt (11.2). He averages 114.3 all-purpose yards per game.
Turn-around
Can Concordia turn around last season’s ugly 52-30 loss at Dakota Wesleyan? If so, it will have to find a way to limit quarterback Dillon Turner. The closest thing to Turner that the Bulldogs have faced thus far was Northwestern freshman Tyson Kooima, who has piled up more than 2,500 yards of total offense. But Turner is more seasoned. It’s not a stretch to call Turner one of the top quarterbacks in GPAC history. He has thrown for 10,078 yards and 112 touchdowns and has added 3,052 yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground. Named the GPAC offensive player of the week on Monday (Oct. 23), Turner is as good as it gets for small college quarterbacks. In terms of pass efficiency defense, the Bulldogs rank second best among GPAC teams.
Home cooking
Concordia’s home win streak has moved to nine with 2017 wins at Bulldog Stadium over Ottawa, Doane and Midland. The Bulldogs went a perfect 5-0 at home during the 2016 season. Concordia also won its final home contest of 2015. Included in the win streak are seven triumphs over GPAC opponents and two over squads from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 2016 team was the program’s first to complete an undefeated home season since 2000.
Nine-game home win streak
10/14/17 | W, 44-14 | Midland
9/23/17 | W, 29-18 | No. 7 Doane
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | #22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Scouting Dakota Wesleyan
Dillon Turner and the Dakota Wesleyan offense cause nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators. The Tigers average 577.3 yards and nearly 45 points per game. Turner doesn’t do it alone. Top receiver Hayden Adams has hauled in 46 catches for 749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is by far Turner’s favorite target. He caught four of Turner’s five touchdown passes in last week’s blowout of Briar Cliff. The running game is also devastating, averaging 6.6 yards per pop. The team’s leading rusher is Luke Loudenburg, who is closing in on a 1,000-yard campaign. The offense has grown accustomed to carrying a team that ranks in the bottom 10 of the NAIA in both total defense and pass defense. Dakota Wesleyan may take a similar approach to Dordt and load the box to contain Ryan Durdon. Quarterback Riley Wiltfong will need to take advantage by making plays over the top to the likes of Jared Garcia, Kiyoshi Brey and Jackson Hall. This game offers an intriguing contrast between Dakota Wesleyan’s potent wide-open offense and Concordia’s downhill rushing attack.
Durdon, active defense carry Bulldogs to third-straight win
SEWARD, Neb. – Using a balance of efficient ball control offense and stellar defensive play, the Concordia University football team has found a groove. While posting their third-straight win, the Bulldogs held a high octane Dakota Wesleyan offense to 217 total yards below its season average. Meanwhile, Concordia running back Ryan Durdon got loose for another 200-yard rushing effort in spearheading a 38-16 victory over the Tigers on chilly but sunny Saturday (Oct. 28) inside Bulldog Stadium.
The home win streak has now stretched to 10 for first-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s program. Knocking on the door of the NAIA’s top 25 poll, the Bulldogs improved to 5-3 overall and to 4-2 in conference play.
“Coach (Corby) Osten has done such a great job with the defense and Coach (Wes) Coomes with the secondary,” Daberkow said. “It’s really about executing the game plans. Give credit to D’Mauria Martin, Tarence Roby and guys like Nate Gilmore, Caden Jameson and Sebastian Garces. They had to stay in coverage and they did such a great job today. I felt like we got more pressure on them than we have in the past.”
There were stretches of up-and-down play early in the season, but the Concordia defense has developed into a nasty unit. Dakota Wesleyan star quarterback Dillon Turner faced constant pressure and went just 15-for-37 through the air. Turner and the high-flying Tiger offense came in averaging 577 yards and nearly 45 points per game.
Freshman linebacker Lane Napier (16 tackles, one sack), senior nose guard Erik Small (10 tackles, three for loss) and a playmaking secondary were up to the task. The Bulldogs even forced a key late turnover when Grady Gardner stripped Turner for a fumble that was recovered by Brandon Aragon.
“That was the main thing. We had to contain (Turner),” Napier said. “Keep him in the pocket. When we did make a tackle we couldn’t dive at his legs. We had to wrap him up.”
While Small and Napier cleaned things up in the front seven, the defensive backfield was terrific. Gilmore, Martin and Roby combined for seven pass breakups. The team leader with five picks this season, Martin came frustratingly close to an interception on multiple occasions. Roby dislodged the ball from a receiver on a key third-quarter fourth down play in the red zone.
Offensively, it was mostly about pounding Durdon and getting some important third-down conversions via the right arm and legs of quarterback Riley Wiltfong. Dakota Wesleyan did a commendable job of bottling up Durdon in the third quarter, but the bruising back from Decatur, Texas, churned out 25 yards or more on three separate carries, including a 76-yard touchdown burst that put the game on ice in the fourth quarter. Durdon finished with 201 yards and a score on 30 rushes.
“We just keep things simple,” Wiltfong said. “It’s no surprise. Everyone knows we’re a run team first. We just did what we did. At times we got stopped up, but we just stayed on pace and ran the ball. That opened up things on third down. It really wasn’t anything different than what it has been in the past.”
Earlier this season, Wiltfong battled through an injured ankle that appears to be just fine now. Wiltfong threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns and piled up 87 yards and a score on the ground. Wiltfong outdueled Turner while throwing scoring tosses of 42 and 36 yards to Jared Garcia in the first half. Wiltfong also galloped 45 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
Durdon and Garcia are bona fide stars. Running behind a physical offensive line, Durdon has netted 1,056 yards rushing (fourth best in program history) and is now 209 yards off the program single-season record of 1,265 yards by JaMaine Lewis in 2007. Meanwhile, Garcia hauled in six catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday. His 2,417 career receiving yards rank second behind Ross Wurdeman (2,458) on the school’s all-time list.
A little trickery helped Concordia jump out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the four, senior Kiyoshi Brey lined up at holder, took the snap and scurried off the right side for a touchdown on a fake field goal. The surprise call completed a 14-play, 67-yard drive.
Turner and company experienced very little success on the ground. Turner’s scrambling ability led to 55 of the team’s 120 rushing yards. The Tigers (5-5, 3-4 GPAC) averaged only 2.8 yards per carry. Running backs Luke Loudenburg and Jonny Withrow combined to rush for 65 yards on 27 attempts. Receiver Hayden Adams caught six passes for 157 yards as the team’s top threat on Saturday.
The Bulldogs will be on the road for the final time this fall when they take on Briar Cliff (0-9, 0-6 GPAC) at 1 p.m. CT next Saturday (Nov. 4) in Sioux City, Iowa. Charger home games are played at Bishop Heelan Memorial Field. Concordia has won each of its last 10 meetings with Briar Cliff, including last year’s 56-0 blowout victory that took place inside Bulldog Stadium.
Sitting in third place in the conference standings, the Bulldogs believe they have a lot to play for with a home tilt with unbeaten and fourth-ranked Morningside (9-0, 6-0 GPAC) also looming on Nov. 11.
“The goal will stay the same,” Daberkow said. “The goal is to have a great film session Sunday evening and make wise decisions on Saturday night. That’s our game plan right now. We’ll take things 24 hours at a time in this conference. If you look too far ahead, you’ll get bit.”
Game notes: Bulldogs look to extend win streak at Briar Cliff
SEWARD, Neb. – After an up-and-down run through the first half of the season, the Concordia University football team has found a groove ever since its bye week. Winners of three-straight games, the Bulldogs flustered star Dakota Wesleyan quarterback Dillon Turner into a 15-for-37 performance in last week’s 38-16 Concordia win inside Bulldog Stadium. First-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad now has its sights set on picking up its second road win of the campaign.
On the flip side, Briar Cliff is in danger of suffering through its first winless season since 2007. The Chargers have been beaten by at least 27 points in each of their first six GPAC contests. Head coach Dennis Wagner’s team last played on Oct. 21 and fell at Dakota Wesleyan, 63-24. A bright spot has been running back Noah Ylagan, who ranks eighth nationally with 1,108 yards rushing this season. Defensively, Briar Cliff has struggled mightily, allowing more than 50 points per game.
Concordia is 12-2 all-time versus the Chargers. The Bulldogs have won 10 straight in the series.
GAME INFO
Concordia (5-3, 4-2) at Briar Cliff (0-9, 0-6)
Saturday, Nov. 4 | 1 p.m.
Bishop Heelan Memorial Field | Sioux City, Iowa
Webcast: Stretch Internet
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2017 Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 26.4 (50th)
Defensive PPG: 21.5 (T-16th)
Total Offense: 375.1 (49th)
Pass Offense: 179.9 (59th)
Rush Offense: 195.3 (25th)
Total Defense: 349.4 (23rd)
Pass Defense: 196.0 (24th)
Rush Defense: 153.4 (36th)
Turnover +/-: -2 (T-48th)
Briar Cliff
Offensive PPG: 21.6 (T-65th)
Defensive PPG: 53.7 (87th)
Total Offense: 340.0 (60th)
Pass Offense: 149.2 (77th)
Rush Offense: 190.8 (27th)
Total Defense: 598.6 (88th)
Pass Defense: 274.1 (82nd)
Rush Defense: 324.4 (88th)
Turnover +/-: -2 (T-48th)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (5-3, 1st season)
Passing: Riley Wiltfong – 63/114 (.553), 815 yards, 10 td, 4 int; rushing: 42 carries, 222 yards, 5.3 avg, TD
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 192 rushes, 1,056 yards, 5.5 avg, 7 td; Receiving: 15 catches, 82 yards
Receiving: Jackson Hall – 25 catches, 318 yards, 12.7 avg, 3 td
Defense: D’Mauria Martin – 36 tackles, 6 tfl, 5 int, 8 pbu, ff
Briar Cliff
Head Coach: Dennis Wagner
Passing: Dylan Desmarais – 30/96 (.313), 355 yards, 4 td, 2 int
Rushing: Noah Ylagan – 211 rushes, 1,108 yards, 5.3 avg, 7 td; receiving: 15 catches, 133 yards
Receiving: Mike Jones – 26 catches, 297 yards, 11.4 avg, 2 td
Defense: Hank Glaros – 28 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 3.5 sacks, 2 fr
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (5-3, 4-2 GPAC)
9/2 at (20) Kansas Wesleyan, L, 13-28
9/9 vs. Ottawa, W, 24-6
9/16 at (24) Northwestern, L, 21-35
9/23 vs. (7) Doane, W, 29-18 (homecoming)
9/30 at Hastings, L, 18-38
10/14 vs. Midland, W, 44-14
10/21 at Dordt, W, 24-17
10/28 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, W, 38-16
11/4 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
11/11 vs. (4) Morningside, 1 p.m.
Briar Cliff (0-9, 0-6 GPAC)
8/26 at Waldorf, L, 26-62
9/2 at Bethany, L, 23-36
9/9 vs. Dakota State, L, 33-49
9/16 at Midland, L, 28-56
9/23 vs. Northwestern, L, 26-63
9/30 vs. (14) Doane, L, 10-39
10/7 at (24) Hastings, L, 14-45
10/14 vs. (4) Morningside, L, 10-70
10/21 at Dakota Wesleyan, L, 24-63
11/4 vs. Concordia, 1 p.m.
11/11 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
The Bulldogs are creeping up on the top 25 rankings and are now sitting two spots outside the national poll that was released on Monday (Oct. 30). Concordia also received votes last week following the road victory over Dordt. The Bulldogs happen to fall in exactly the same place in the Massey Ratings – 27th. Meanwhile, Briar Cliff checks in at 82nd in the Massey Ratings. Entering the week, the Chargers are exactly where they were picked to finish in the preseason – ninth in the GPAC.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Oct. 30): listed second among others receiving votes
Massey Ratings: 27th
Briar Cliff
GPAC preseason: 9th (coaches); 9th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Oct. 30): did not receive votes
Massey Ratings: 82nd
Concordia’s next All-American?
After watching D’Mauria Martin fly around in the secondary last week, 104.9 Max Country color commentator remarked, “D’Mauria Martin’s got to be an All-American by the end of the season.” In terms of numbers alone, Martin certainly has the look of an All-American. The senior safety from Converse, Texas, broke up three Dillon Turner passes last week while adding five tackles. On the season, Martin has collected 36 tackles, eight pass breakups, six stops for loss, five interceptions and a forced fumble. A three-year starter at corner prior to switching to safety this season, Martin has always been active in the defensive backfield. He’s made 30 pass breakups over 39 career games as a Bulldog. Following a three-interception game against Midland, Martin reeled in GPAC and NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week accolades.
Martin is one of the leaders of a secondary that rates among the nation’s best. Last week’s four starters in the defensive backfield combined to make nine pass breakups. Teams continue to test a secondary that ranks eighth nationally in terms of pass efficiency (105.1). All four starters have notched at least six pass breakups: Martin (eight), Sebastian Garces (seven), Nate Gilmore (six) and Tarence Roby (six).
Durdon soars up single-season list
Ryan Durdon did it again. Last week he went for 201 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries, marking his third 200-yard rushing day of 2017. In the process, the sophomore from Decatur, Texas, vaulted himself from 14th to fourth on the program’s single-season rushing list. A 76-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the win over Dakota Wesleyan pushed Durdon over 1,000 yards on the season. He is the sixth player in program history to accomplish that feat. With two games remaining, Durdon needs 210 rushing yards to break the school’s single-season record of 1,265 by JaMaine Lewis in 2007.
On paper, Saturday’s matchup is a favorable one for Durdon and the Concordia offensive line. Briar Cliff’s rush defense ranks dead last in the NAIA, surrendering 324.4 rushing yards per game. In an ideal world, the Bulldogs would be able to take some of the burden off of Durdon, who has carried the ball 99 times for 603 yards and five touchdowns over the past three weeks. He got 41 rushing attempts in the 24-17 win at Dordt on Oct. 21. Durdon ranks sixth nationally in rushing yards per game (132.0).
Program single-season rushing leaders
1. JaMaine Lewis – 1,265 (2007)
2. Cleve Wester – 1,114 (1984)
3. Randy Pospishil – 1,085 (1972)
4. Ryan Durdon – 1,056 (2017)
5. Bryce Collins – 1,016 (2014)
6. Jeff Towns – 1,002 (1979)
7. Cleve Wester – 970 (1983)
8. Ritchie Bishop – 949 (1994)
9. Bryce Collins – 946 (2015)
10. Jeff Towns – 928 (1978)
Garcia closes in on Wurdeman records
All senior receiver Jared Garcia does is catch touchdowns. He torched the Dakota Wesleyan defense for 116 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. In his three games played this season, Garcia has reeled in 18 passes for 229 yards and four touchdowns. The native of Pearland, Texas, is beginning to close in on two career receiving records (see below). He needs 11 catches and 42 receiving yards to break two new school single-season records. He already owns program standards for touchdown receptions in a season (11) and for a career (33). Garcia has earned either first or second team all-conference accolades in each of his first three seasons.
Record watch
Career receiving yards: Wurdeman: 2,458 | Garcia: 2,417
Career receptions: Wurdeman: 168 | Garcia: 158
Napier, Small star for front seven
As just a freshman, linebacker Lane Napier has already emerged as a star. He tops the team with 68 tackles this season after racking up a career high 17 stops in last week’s win over Dakota Wesleyan. He also added a sack and was named the GPAC defensive player of the week. Napier and company held Dakota Wesleyan to 16 points and 360 total yards, well below their averages that stood at 44.7 and 577.3, respectively, entering the game. Napier is a native of David City, Neb., and graduate of Aquinas High School.
Up front, senior Erik Small has provided steady play at nose guard. He enjoyed his biggest game yet last week. He finished with 10 tackles – three for loss – and a sack. Small has recorded 33 tackles and 5.5 stops for loss this season, which is his first playing on the defensive side of the ball. Small started at fullback the previous two seasons. His role at fullback has been eliminated, allowing him to focus solely on playing nose guard. Robert Ferguson has assumed the fullback spot and has been a solid lead blocker for Durdon.
Dual threat
Quarterback Riley Wiltfong is playing the best football of his career. With Durdon taking flight at running back, Wiltfong has been counted upon as a caretaker for the offense. It just so happens that Wiltfong can make the big play. Last week he fired touchdown passes of 42 and 36 yards to Jared Garcia and also ran for a score of 45 yards out. Wiltfong ended up with 221 passing yards and 87 rushing yards in the win over Dakota Wesleyan. In three collegiate seasons, Wiltfong has amassed 2,227 passing yards, 537 rushing yards and 28 total touchdowns (24 passing).
First-year success
Patrick Daberkow, the 10th head coach in program history, is enjoying one of the most successful seasons anyone has ever had as a first-year head coach of the Bulldogs. Only John Seevers (8-1 in 1970) and Kenneth Schroeder (6-2 in 1955) have posted more than Daberkow’s five wins as a first-year head coach at Concordia. It will be difficult for anyone to ever top Seevers’ first season. He inherited a talented roster from Ron Harms and led the 1970 team to an 8-1 record and a conference championship. Daberkow was part of a staff for head coach Vance Winter that has helped rejuvenate the program following a 1-9 season in 2008.
Records of Concordia head coaches in first year
Walter Hellwege: 1-0 (1925)
Herb Meyer: 2-4-1 (1941)
Kenneth Schroeder: 6-2 (1955)
Ralph Starenko: 3-6 (1959)
Ron Harms: 5-4 (1964)
John Seevers: 8-1 (1970)
Larry Oetting: 1-9 (1977)
Courtney Meyer: 1-7-1 (1990)
Vance Winter: 3-7 (2009)
Patrick Daberkow: 5-3 (2017)
Home cooking
Concordia’s home win streak has moved to 10 with 2017 wins at Bulldog Stadium over Ottawa, Doane, Midland and Dakota Wesleyan. The Bulldogs went a perfect 5-0 at home during the 2016 season. Concordia also won its final home contest of 2015. Included in the win streak are eight triumphs over GPAC opponents and two over squads from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 2016 team was the program’s first to complete an undefeated home season since 2000. The Bulldogs will need to defeat No. 4 Morningside on Nov. 11 in order to make it two years in a row with perfect home records.
Nine-game home win streak
10/28/17 | W, 38-16 | Dakota Wesleyan
10/14/17 | W, 44-14 | Midland
9/23/17 | W, 29-18 | No. 7 Doane
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | No. 22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Scouting Briar Cliff
The results through the first nine weeks of the season portray a program in a transitional phase under first-year head coach Dennis Wagner. Briar Cliff has struggled to get its program off the ground since its first season of football in 2003. Its best record was a 5-6 mark in 2006. This year’s team has been underwhelming in many areas, but junior Noah Ylagan has been effective in the ground game. He is the school’s first-ever 1,000-yard rusher. On the down side, the Chargers have had a rough time at the quarterback position and all over the field on defense. Briar Cliff yields 7.4 yards per rush and opposing quarterbacks have produced a sizzling 179.4 pass efficiency rating (33 touchdowns to seven interceptions). An upset of Concordia would be a big morale boost for the Chargers, who will finish their season on Nov. 11 with a trip to Dordt.
Napier earns GPAC defensive player of the week accolades
SEWARD, Neb. – Following a career best performance in Saturday’s win over Dakota Wesleyan, freshman Lane Napier has been named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league on Monday (Oct. 30). Napier becomes the third Bulldog this season to be tabbed the conference’s defensive player of the week. Tarence Roby (Sept. 11) and D’Mauria Martin (Oct. 16) also claimed the same award earlier this fall.
Napier showed up big in last week’s 38-16 victory. The linebacker from David City, Neb., racked up 17 tackles while also recording a sack and a quarterback hurry. An Aquinas High School product, Napier leads the team with 68 tackles this season (second among GPAC players). Napier and company flustered Tiger quarterback Dillon Turner into a 15-for-37 performance. Dakota Wesleyan had entered the game averaging 44.7 points and 577.3 yards, but managed only 16 points and 360 yards in the contest.
Napier and the Bulldogs (5-3, 4-2 GPAC) appeared just outside the top 25 rankings that were released on Monday (Oct. 30). Concordia will aim for its fourth win in a row on Saturday when it makes a trip to Sioux City, Iowa, to take on Briar Cliff (0-9, 0-6 GPAC). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.
Bulldogs ride rushing attack to lopsided win at Briar Cliff
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Riding the wave of a three-game win streak, the Concordia University football team opened up a 28-0 first half lead and then coasted to a 35-7 victory over host Briar Cliff in Sioux City, Iowa, on Saturday (Nov. 4) afternoon. The Bulldog backfield duo of Ryan Durdon and TJ Austin combined for 352 rushing yards in another dominant day between the tackles for a surging bunch.
First-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad has been a perfect 4-0 since its bye week and has improved to 6-3 overall and to 5-2 in conference action (third place). Concordia is poised to crack the national coaches’ poll when a new top 25 is released on Monday.
The Bulldogs put this game away in the second quarter while following the lead of one of the NAIA’s best offensive line units. It bullied the Chargers (0-10, 0-7 GPAC), paving the way for Durdon to pile up 192 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. With the game in hand, Durdon got some much needed rest, giving way to the bruising Austin. He rushed 22 times for 160 yards and a touchdown that added an exclamation point on top.
Daberkow has routinely praised his offensive line, which has helped Durdon amass 1,248 rushing yards this season, now second behind only JaMaine Lewis (1,265) on the program’s all-time single-season rushing list. Durdon has also been aided by the blocking of fullback Robert Ferguson and tight end Seth Fitzke.
“That offensive line is playing as well as I’ve ever seen them play,” said Daberkow in a postgame interview with 104.9 Max Country radio. “Coach (Thomas) Byrd is doing a phenomenal job with them. I feel really good about the level they’re performing at and just how aggressive they play. When you can play good defense and run the football, I like our chances against anybody.”
While Durdon closes in on a record, game-breaking senior receiver Jared Garcia eclipsed another school standard. With his second touchdown grab of the day, Garcia moved past former All-American tight end Ross Wurdeman (2,458 yards) for most receiving yards in school history. Garcia ended his day with three receptions for 78 yards and two scores. His touchdowns covered distances of 26 and 33 yards.
Concordia got an early shot in the arm from defensive back Tarence Roby, who picked off a pair of Dylan Desmarais tosses in the first quarter. Roby jumped in front of a pass in the first quarter and returned it 51 yards to the Briar Cliff 45, setting up Garcia’s 26-yard touchdown catch four plays later.
Though it allowed Charger running back Noah Ylagan to rush for 138 yards on 29 carries, the Bulldog defense didn’t surrender much in the passing game and limited Briar Cliff to 264 total yards. It was another stellar day for reigning GPAC defensive player of the week Lane Napier, who made 12 stops, including 1.5 for loss, from his linebacker spot. Safety D’Mauria Martin continues to excel at an All-America level. He made eight tackles.
It's been an incredible ride for Garcia, who now owns program career records for receiving yards (2,495) and touchdowns (35) while also holding the school standard for touchdown catches in a season (11).
“It’s been a pleasure to watch him play,” Daberkow said. “He does some things that are just really fun to watch. He’s a great football player and just a good teammate. We’re pleased that he got that record.”
Freshman Brady Fitzke, a transfer from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, has helped solidify the punting position. He booted the ball four times for an average of 50.0 yards with two of his punts pinning Briar Cliff inside its own 20.
Concordia junior quarterback Riley Wiltfong played a sound first half before giving way to backup Andrew Perea in the second half. Wiltfong went 8-for-11 for 160 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Senior Kiyoshi Brey caught one of those scoring strikes, which covered 15 yards. Throwing the ball was unnecessary in the second half when the Bulldogs turned to the running game (386 yards) to chew up the clock.
The Bulldogs will close out the regular season next Saturday (Nov. 11) by hosting No. 4 Morningside (10-0, 7-0 GPAC) at 1 p.m. CT inside Bulldog Stadium. Concordia will carry a 10-game home winning streak into what is likely to be a battle between two nationally-ranked teams. The Bulldogs last defeated the perennially powerful Mustangs in 2003.
“Not one bit are we intimidated by who comes in and plays us at our house, or anywhere else for that matter,” Daberkow said. “We’re not going to flinch. We don’t have any of that in us. We’re playing good defense and we’re running the ball well. Come and get it. We’re ready.”
Game notes: 25th-ranked Concordia set to tangle with No. 3 Morningside
SEWARD, Neb. – Winner of four in a row, the Concordia University football team now faces its biggest challenge to date. Undefeated and third-ranked Morningside awaits the Bulldogs, who have won each of their last 10 home games. Saturday’s kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT inside Bulldog Stadium. The matchup now features two nationally-ranked teams with head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad appearing at No. 25 in this week’s poll. Saturday will be senior day in Seward.
Concordia is hoping to make this the toughest test within conference play for the Mustangs, who have already locked up at least a share of the GPAC title. Head coach Steve Ryan’s squad has won every conference game by at least 21 points as part of another dominant run through the GPAC. Ryan’s teams always seem to possess a star running back. Bubba Jenkins is this year’s workhorse tailback. He ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 41-10 win at Doane.
GAME INFO
(3) Morningside (10-0, 7-0) at (25) Concordia (6-3, 5-2)
Saturday, Nov. 11 | 1 p.m.
Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
Live Stats: Stretch Internet
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
2017 Team Statistics
*National rank in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 27.3 (T-49th)
Defensive PPG: 19.9 (12th)
Total Offense: 396.2 (37th)
Pass Offense: 179.8 (64th)
Rush Offense: 216.4 (17th)
Total Defense: 339.9 (19th)
Pass Defense: 188.4 (19th)
Rush Defense: 151.4 (38th)
Turnover +/-: -2 (T-51st)
Morningside
Offensive PPG: 53.0 (2nd)
Defensive PPG: 18.3 (6th)
Total Offense: 597.2 (1st)
Pass Offense: 329.9 (9th)
Rush Offense: 267.3 (5th)
Total Defense: 376.3 (39th)
Pass Defense: 257.1 (74th)
Rush Defense: 119.2 (18th)
Turnover +/-: +12 (T-6th)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (6-3, 1st season)
Passing: Riley Wiltfong – 71/125 (.568), 975 yards, 13 td, 4 int; Rushing: 43 carries, 222 yards, 5.2 avg, TD
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 220 rushes, 1,248 yards, 5.7 avg, 8 td; Receiving: 15 catches, 82 yards
Receiving: Jackson Hall – 25 catches, 318 yards, 12.7 avg, 3 td
Defense: D’Mauria Martin – 44 tackles, 6 tfl, 5 int, 8 pbu, ff
Morningside
Head Coach: Steve Ryan (152-39, 16th season)
Passing: Trent Solsma – 223/308 (.724), 3,128 yards, 38 td, 3 int; Rushing: 111 yards, 2 td
Rushing: Bubba Jenkins – 245 rushes, 1,625 yards, 6.6 avg, 23 td; Receiving: 9 catches, 75 yards
Receiving: Connor Niles – 72 catches, 1,116 yards, 15.5 avg, 13 td
Defense: Caden McDonald – 87 tackles, 11 tfl, 4.5 sacks, 4 int
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (6-3, 5-2 GPAC)
9/2 at (20) Kansas Wesleyan, L, 13-28
9/9 vs. Ottawa, W, 24-6
9/16 at (24) Northwestern, L, 21-35
9/23 vs. (7) Doane, W, 29-18 (homecoming)
9/30 at Hastings, L, 18-38
10/14 vs. Midland, W, 44-14
10/21 at Dordt, W, 24-17
10/28 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, W, 38-16
11/4 at Briar Cliff, W, 35-7
11/11 vs. (3) Morningside, 1 p.m.
Morningside (10-0, 7-0 GPAC)
8/26 at St. Francis, W, 41-24
9/2 at (10) Tabor, W, 65-14
9/9 vs. Truman State, W, 35-30
9/16 vs. Dordt, W, 62-23
9/30 at (15) Northwestern, W, 48-20
10/7 vs. (22) Dakota Wesleyan, W, 76-21
10/14 at Briar Cliff, W, 70-10
10/21 vs. Hastings, W, 56-16
10/28 vs. Midland, W, 36-15
11/4 at (24) Doane, W, 41-10
11/11 at (25) Concordia, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
After receiving votes for two weeks in a row, the Bulldogs crept into the NAIA coaches’ poll at No. 25 in the rankings released on Monday (Nov. 6). This marks Concordia’s first top 25 ranking of the 2017 season. The Bulldogs finished last season at No. 19 after going 7-3 in Vance Winter’s final season as head coach. On the flip side, Morningside moved up one spot to third in the poll. The only teams ranked above the Mustangs are No. 1 Saint Francis (Ind.) and No. 2 Reinhardt (Ga.).
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 5th (coaches); 6th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Nov. 6): 25th
Massey Ratings: 28th
Morningside
GPAC preseason: 1st (coaches); 1st (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Nov. 6): 3rd
Massey Ratings: 2nd
Honoring the senior class
A senior class of 26 will be honored during a pregame ceremony on Saturday. The class is the backbone of this year’s team and features such standouts as running back TJ Austin, tight end Seth Fitzke, receiver Jared Garcia, offensive tackle Hallick Lehmann, defensive back D’Mauria Martin, defensive back Tarence Roby and nose guard Erik Small. Over the past four seasons, the senior class has helped the program to a combined record of 24-16 while helping Concordia claim to third place in the conference this season. The 2016 team was the first Bulldog football squad to finish with a national ranking since the 2001 edition shared the GPAC title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs.
Roby earns second GPAC award of 2017
On Monday (Nov. 6), Tarence Roby collected his second GPAC defensive player of the week award of the season. Collectively, the Bulldogs have earned five GPAC player of the week awards in 2017. Roby also received the honor on Sept. 11, two days after returning an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in a win over Ottawa University (Kan.). In last week’s 35-7 victory at Briar Cliff, Roby picked off two passes. His first interception was returned for 51 yards and set up a Jared Garcia touchdown four plays later. Lane Napier (Oct. 30) and D’Mauria Martin (Oct. 16) have also been selected as GPAC defensive players of the week this season.
GPAC players of the week in 2017
Nov. 6 – Tarence Roby
Oct. 30 – Lane Napier
Oct. 16 – Ryan Durdon / *D’Mauria Martin
Sept. 11 – Tarence Roby
*National Defensive Player of the Week
Durdon sneaking up on school record
Ryan Durdon is on a four-game roll never before seen by a Concordia running back. The native of Decatur, Texas, has rushed for 795 yards and six touchdowns during the team’s four-game win streak, moving his season rushing total to 1,248. Durdon needs only 18 rushing yards on Saturday to break the program’s single-season rushing record of 1,265 by JaMaine Lewis in 2007. Through nine games this season, Durdon has produced single-game rushing figures of 266, 208, 201, 192 and 136. His average of 138.7 rushing yards per game ranks sixth best nationally. With Durdon leading the way, the Bulldogs have averaged 294.5 rushing yards over the past four outings.
Program single-season rushing leaders
1. JaMaine Lewis – 1,265 (2007)
2. Ryan Durdon – 1,248 (2017)
3. Cleve Wester – 1,114 (1984)
4. Randy Pospishil – 1,085 (1972)
5. Bryce Collins – 1,016 (2014)
6. Jeff Towns – 1,002 (1979)
7. Cleve Wester – 970 (1983)
8. Ritchie Bishop – 949 (1994)
9. Bryce Collins – 946 (2015)
10. Jeff Towns – 928 (1978)
Garcia chases down Wurdeman
It's fair to call Jared Garcia the best receiver in the history of Concordia football. By making three catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns last week at Briar Cliff, Garcia passed former All-American tight end Ross Wurdeman for the most career receiving yards in school history (see numbers below). Garcia not only owns the career receiving yards record, he also has set new program standards for career touchdown catches (35) and touchdown receptions in a season (11). Garcia stands seven receptions shy of Wurdeman’s school record for career catches (168). Despite playing in only four games this season, the Pearland, Texas, native tops the Bulldogs with six touchdown receptions.
Record watch
Career receiving yards: Garcia: 2,495 | Wurdeman: 2,458
Career receptions: Wurdeman: 168 | Garcia: 161
Dominant defense
While the running game has received plenty of acclaim in recent weeks, the defense has put together an impressive four-game run of its own. Defensive coordinator Corby Osten’s unit has tightened the screws since allowing 38 points and 472 yards in a loss at Hastings on Sept. 30. During the four-game win streak, Concordia has allowed averages of 13.5 points and 297.0 yards per game. The defensive progress has been spearheaded by the likes of senior Erik Small at nose guard, freshman Lane Napier at linebacker and one of the NAIA’s top defensive backfields. Safety D’Mauria Martin looks like a strong All-America candidate who has 13 passes defensed (five interceptions, eight pass breakups). With 80 tackles, Napier is the conference’s second leading tackler.
Wiltfong’s efficiency
The last four games have also been impressive for quarterback Riley Wiltfong. Since the bye week, Wiltfong has completed 49-of-79 (.620) passes for 645 yards to go along with a 9-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. That run of success has pushed the Doniphan, Neb., native up to 19th nationally in terms of pass efficiency rating (150.2). In his career, Wiltfong has thrown for 2,387 yards and 27 touchdowns in 19 games. A dual threat, Wiltfong has also piled up 537 career rushing yards.
First-year success
Patrick Daberkow, the 10th head coach in program history, is enjoying one of the most successful seasons anyone has ever had as a first-year head coach of the Bulldogs. Only John Seevers (8-1 in 1970) and Kenneth Schroeder (6-2 in 1955) have equaled or topped Daberkow’s six wins as a first-year head coach at Concordia. It will be difficult for anyone to ever outdo Seevers’ first season. He inherited a talented roster from Ron Harms and led the 1970 team to an 8-1 record and a conference championship. Daberkow was part of a staff for head coach Vance Winter that has helped rejuvenate the program following a 1-9 season in 2008.
Records of Concordia head coaches in first year
Walter Hellwege: 1-0 (1925)
Herb Meyer: 2-4-1 (1941)
Kenneth Schroeder: 6-2 (1955)
Ralph Starenko: 3-6 (1959)
Ron Harms: 5-4 (1964)
John Seevers: 8-1 (1970)
Larry Oetting: 1-9 (1977)
Courtney Meyer: 1-7-1 (1990)
Vance Winter: 3-7 (2009)
Patrick Daberkow: 6-3 (2017)
Home cooking
Concordia’s home win streak has moved to 10 with 2017 wins at Bulldog Stadium over Ottawa, Doane, Midland and Dakota Wesleyan. The Bulldogs went a perfect 5-0 at home during the 2016 season. Concordia also won its final home contest of 2015. Included in the win streak are eight triumphs over GPAC opponents and two over squads from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The 2016 team was the program’s first to complete an undefeated home season since 2000. The Bulldogs will need to defeat No. 3 Morningside in order to make it two years in a row with perfect home records.
10-game home win streak
10/28/17 | W, 38-16 | Dakota Wesleyan
10/14/17 | W, 44-14 | Midland
9/23/17 | W, 29-18 | No. 7 Doane
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | No. 22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Scouting Morningside
Morningside is a clearly established national power that has captured seven GPAC titles in a row under Steve Ryan’s direction. As has been the case in many recent seasons, the Mustangs are frighteningly good from a statistical standpoint. They rank No. 1 nationally in total offense and 39th in total defense. On offense, Morningside features some of the nation’s top skill players in quarterback Trent Solsma, running back Bubba Jenkins and receiver Connor Niles. Jenkins leads the nation in rushing yards (1,618), Solsma is No. 1 in pass efficiency (196.5) and Niles ranks third in receiving yards per game (124.0). The high-powered Mustang offense has scored at least 35 points in each of its 10 games this season. Morningside ranks only 74th in the NAIA in pass defense, but many opponents have put up yardage after games were already out of hand. There have been instances in recent years when the Mustangs have let down in their final game of the regular season. They suffered a 49-48 loss at Doane in 2014 and narrowly defeated Northwestern, 14-13, in last season’s regular-season finale.
The last time Morningside visited Bulldog Stadium it came away with a 44-21 win in 2015. Concordia trailed just 27-21 entering the fourth quarter before the Mustangs put the game away with two late touchdown runs by Tyler Kavan. The game was much more competitive than the final score indicated. However, last season’s contest in Sioux City was a Morningside rout, 55-13. Two Mustang interception returns for touchdowns in the opening quarter quickly made it a lopsided affair. The Bulldogs last defeated Morningside in 2003.
Roby named GPAC defensive player of the week for second time in 2017
SEWARD, Neb. – A stellar senior season continues for Tarence Roby, one of the top corners and return men in NAIA football. On Monday (Nov. 6), the conference tabbed Roby as the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player of the Week. Roby collected the same honor on Sept. 11. Collectively, the Bulldogs have reeled in five conference player of the week awards in 2017.
A native of Rockford, Ill., Roby picked off a pair of first quarter passes in last week’s 35-7 win at Briar Cliff. He returned his first interception 51 yards, setting up a Jared Garcia touchdown four plays later. Roby’s second pick thwarted a Charger red zone drive. Roby also made three tackles while helping aid a defense that held Briar Cliff to seven points and 264 total yards.
On the season, Roby has recorded 27 tackles, six pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble. On the national leaderboards, Roby ranks fifth in kickoff return yards per attempt (30.4) and sixth in punt return yards per attempt (11.7).
Roby and the 25th-ranked Bulldogs (6-3, 5-2 GPAC) will host No. 3 Morningside (10-0, 7-0 GPAC) at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams. Concordia owns a four-game win streak.
GPAC players of the week in 2017
Nov. 6 – Tarence Roby
Oct. 30 – Lane Napier
Oct. 16 – Ryan Durdon / *D’Mauria Martin
Sept. 11 – Tarence Roby
*National Defensive Player of the Week
Home win streak ended by Morningside in season finale
SEWARD, Neb. – Throughout an unbeaten regular season, third-ranked Morningside has proven itself to be on another level as compared to its GPAC brethren. Even an early lost fumble in the red zone failed to slow down the Mustang machine that handed the 25th-ranked Concordia University football team a 35-0 defeat inside Bulldog Stadium on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 11). The Bulldog home win streak ended at 10.
Patrick Dabekow’s first season concluded with a 6-4 overall mark and a third-place GPAC finish (5-3). It’s the highest conference placement for a Concordia football team since the 2001 squad shared the GPAC championship. Daberkow hopes to someday make his program a playoff qualifier like Morningside.
“They’re good football players and they’re well-coached so that’s always difficult to play and coach against,” Daberkow said. “Our plan was to run the football and try to limit how many series they got. Everybody who has run the ball this year was in a walking boot or crutches most of the week. We have a tough group. We just struggled to run the ball today. It was a holistic effort in what happened with the final score.”
Morningside (11-0, 8-0 GPAC) has grown accustomed to overwhelming opponents with its size and physicality in the trenches on both sides of the ball. A Bulldog running game that had been rolling during the four-game win streak was stonewalled by the Mustangs. Concordia rushed 37 times for 38 yards and managed only 149 total yards. Hobbled by an injury to his right foot, star back Ryan Durdon ran for minus-one yard on seven carries.
That just wasn’t going to get it done against a high-powered offense engineered by prolific quarterback Trent Solsma. He fired four more touchdown passes on Saturday while connecting often with receiver Chad Berg. Solsma went 23-for-35 for 282 yards. Berg hauled in 11 passes for 149 yards and two scores. Solsma also found Connor Niles and Tanner VerSteeg for touchdowns. Morningside ran 83 plays to 55 for the Bulldogs and piled up 508 total yards.
Freshman linebacker Lane Napier figures to be the cornerstone of future Concordia defenses. He flew around the field, making 17 tackles on Saturday to run his season total to 97. Napier and the Bulldog defense forced a pair of turnovers. The first one came when Napier jarred the ball loose from running back Bubba Jenkins. Derek Tachovsky came up with it. It was also a productive day for junior safety Caden Jameson, who collected 13 tackles and returned an interception 58 yards.
Saturday’s game marked the final outing in the careers of a senior class that includes the likes of record-breaking receiver Jared Garcia and ball-hawking defensive backs D’Mauria Martin and Tarence Roby. The seniors helped the program to a record of 24-17 over the past four seasons. The group helped raise the program up.
“You find out a lot about people when you put them under pressure and make them work together with people that are different than them,” Daberkow said. “What I love about our group of seniors is they’re ready. They’re ready for whatever is going to be thrown at them after graduation. It’s a selfless group. I’m going to miss them a lot. It’s hard to think about Concordia football without those guys.”
Quarterback Riley Wiltfong went 7-for-17 for 103 yards and three interceptions. The Bulldogs were picked off three times by junior corner Xavier Spann. The top target was senior receiver Kiyoshi Brey, who made four catches for 54 yards.
Concordia ended up winning four of its five home games this fall. It went a perfect 5-0 at Bulldog Stadium during the 2016 campaign. The program has gone 13-7 over the past two seasons.
Fifteen Bulldogs represented on All-GPAC football teams
SEWARD, Neb. – A total 15 members of the Concordia University football team, including eight first or second team selections, collected 2017 All-GPAC accolades, as announced by the conference on Tuesday (Nov. 14). Head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad completed the 2017 season with an overall record of 6-4 and placed third in the GPAC standings.
Bulldogs landed four players on the conference’s first team: senior defensive backs D’Mauria Martin and Tarence Roby, freshman linebacker Lane Napier and junior offensive lineman Matt Romero. Roby also received second team All-GPAC accolades as a kick returner. Additional second team honorees were sophomore running back Ryan Durdon, senior tight end Seth Fitzke, senior receiver Jared Garcia and senior defensive lineman Erik Small. The team’s seven honorable mention choices are listed at bottom.
A first team All-GPAC performer for the second year in a row, Martin put together a final collegiate season worthy of All-America consideration. The native of Converse, Texas, pulled in the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week award on Oct. 16 after snaring three interceptions in a win over Midland. On the year, Martin totaled 52 tackles (six for loss), eight pass breakups, five interceptions and a forced fumble. After starting at corner his first three seasons as a Bulldog, Martin moved to safety in 2017. In his four-year career, Martin racked up 136 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 30 pass breakups and seven interceptions.
A native of nearby David City, Neb., Napier appears to be on track to be the next great Concordia linebacker. A tackling machine, Napier led all GPAC players with 97 stops in his rookie season that followed a prep career at Aquinas High School. His average of 9.7 tackles per game ranked 14th nationally. Napier pulled in the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week award on Oct. 30 after making 17 tackles and a sack in the win over Dakota Wesleyan. In addition to his 97 tackles, Napier added eight tackles for loss, a sack, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Roby starred as one of the most electrifying talents in the conference. The native of Rockford, Ill., has been named an all-conference choice in each of his four seasons in Seward. His highlight reel play of his senior season was a 100-yard interception for a touchdown in the win over Ottawa that landed him on ESPN’s SportsCenter. On the year, Roby posted 31 tackles, seven pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble. He also piled up 1,041 all-purpose yards (718 kick return, 166 punt return, 151 interception return) while serving as one of the nation’s top return men. Roby compiled 141 tackles, 27 pass breakups and nine interceptions over his Bulldog career.
A cornerstone for one of the league’s top offensive lines, Romero started all 10 games up front. The center from Centennial, Colo., leaped from honorable mention status last season to the first team in 2017. He helped pave the way for Durdon and a rushing attack that averaged 199.4 yards per game (24th in the NAIA). Romero and the offensive line were especially dominant during Concordia’s late four-game win streak when the Bulldogs averaged 294.5 rushing yards per contest.
A converted receiver, Durdon came out of nowhere to have one of the top seasons ever by a Concordia running back. He put up single-game rushing totals of 266, 208, 201, 192 and 136 on his way to a 1,247 yards on the year – a total that ranks second on the program’s all-time single-season rushing list. He was named the GPAC Offensive Player of the Week after his 266-yard (equaled a school record), four-touchdown performance in the win over Midland. Durdon ranked 10th nationally in rushing yards per game (124.7). He finished with eight rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry on 227 attempts.
Fitzke, a Seward High School product, bounced back in 2017 after missing the 2016 campaign due to an ACL tear. Though not frequently featured in the passing game (four catches, 37 yards), Fitzke served as an extension of the offensive line as a dominant blocker. The Seward native is now a three-time All-GPAC award winner having also been named to the conference’s first team in 2015 and to the second team in 2014. In his collegiate career, Fitzke caught 35 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns.
Garcia, who hails from Pearland, Texas, is the most accomplished receiver in program history. Over his four seasons as a Bulldog, Garcia hauled in 161 receptions for 2,495 yards and 35 touchdowns. His yardage and touchdown totals represent all-time school records while his reception total placed him at No. 2 in the record book. As a senior, Garcia reeled in 21 passes for 307 yards and six touchdowns over five games. Garcia notched two first team All-GPAC awards and two second team All-GPAC honors throughout his career, which included eight games with 100 or more receiving yards. His 11 touchdown receptions as a freshman remain a program single-season record.
Small, who arrived in Seward via Fullerton Community College, made a successful transition from fullback to starting nose guard this fall. The Los Alamitos, Calif., native was a force on the interior of Concordia’s 3-4 scheme. Small posted 41 tackles, including 6.5 for loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery. His most impressive single-game performance came against Dakota Wesleyan when he registered 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. Small picked up second team honors this season after garnering honorable mention in 2015 and 2016.
This year’s honorable mention recipients includes three starters on the offensive line: junior Grady Koch and seniors Hallick Lehmann and Austin Reese. Other honorees were junior linebacker Kordell Glause (44 tackles, 4 tfl’s) and senior linebacker Shane Scott (37 tackles, 7 tfl’s) and defensive backs Sebastian Garces and Nate Gilmore, who were part of a secondary that ranked 21st nationally in pass defense efficiency (111.5).
2017 All-GPAC
First Team
D’Mauria Martin (DB)
Lane Napier (LB)
Tarence Roby (DB)
Matt Romero (OL)
Second Team
Ryan Durdon (RB)
Seth Fitzke (TE)
Jared Garcia (WR)
Tarence Roby (KR)
Erik Small (DL)
Honorable Mention
Sebastian Garces (DB)
Nate Gilmore (DB)
Kordell Glause (LB)
Grady Koch (OL)
Hallick Lehmann (OL)
Austin Reese (OL)
Shane Scott (LB)
Lehmann named academic all-district for third year in a row
CoSIDA release
SEWARD, Neb. – For the third year in a row, Albion, Neb., native Hallick Lehmann has been named an Academic All-District® selection by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), as announced on Thursday (Nov. 16). Lehmann landed on the 2017 Academic All-District Football Team of the College Division.
The CoSIDA Academic All-District® Football Teams have been released to recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. For more information about the Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit http://cosida.com.
A product of Boone Central High School, Lehmann has become a regular winner of academic awards. A starting offensive tackle, Lehmann earned honorable mention All-GPAC accolades this fall. He collected CoSIDA Academic All-America awards in 2015 and 2016 and picked up NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition last season. Lehmann is majoring in psychology and behavioral science.
The College Division of District 3 includes the states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Lehmann will now go on the balloting for Academic All-America honors, which will be announced by CoSIDA on Monday, Dec. 11.
2016-17 academic all-district honorees
(*Academic All-American)
*Amy Ahlers, Golf
*Chandler Folkerts, Basketball
Le’Dontrae Gooden, Football
*Hallick Lehmann, Football
*Sam Liermann, Track & Field
*CJ Muller, Track & Field
Lucas Wiechman, Track & Field
2015-16 academic all-district honorees
(*Academic All-American)
*Amy Ahlers, Golf
*Stephanie Coley, Track & Field
*Chandler Folkerts, Basketball
*Hallick Lehmann, Football
Adam Meirose, Football
Becky Mueller, Basketball
*CJ Muller, Track & Field
*Kim Wood, Cross Country/Track & Field
2014-15 academic all-district honorees
(*Academic All-American)
Amy Ahlers, Golf
*Brendan Buchanan, Soccer
Stephanie Coley, Track & Field
*Chandler Folkerts, Basketball
Jaydee Jurgensen, Baseball
Adam Meirose, Football
Bailey Morris, Basketball
*Rachel Mussell, Soccer
Shawn Rodehorst, Golf
Ben Sievert, Cross Country/Track & Field
Melissa Stine, Soccer
Season's second half reflective of program nearing ultimate goals
Total satisfaction won’t be reached within the football offices at Concordia University until the program ends its postseason drought and climbs to the top of the GPAC – as it did in 2001. But the second half of the 2017 season revealed a program that appears to be moving closer to that aim. The first season of Patrick Daberkow’s head coaching tenure included a homecoming victory over then seventh-ranked Doane and a late four-game win streak.
The program earned its first top-three conference finish since 2002. That feat is a real tangible accomplishment to build upon considering the GPAC is rated by statistical metrics as one of the NAIA’s top three leagues.
“I don’t know if there’s another conference in the country that has the top-to-bottom talent that this conference has,” Daberkow said. “Morningside was undefeated and Briar Cliff didn’t win a game, but everything in the middle was a huge grind. There is never a week off. I think back to the wins that we had and the quality of wins. Holding Dakota Wesleyan to one touchdown was impressive. That offense and that quarterback are prolific. That was a big win. Looking back, it’s fun to reflect on those things.”
When Concordia reached its 2017 peak late in the season, it featured the power running of Ryan Durdon and one of the NAIA’s top defenses led by ball-hawking senior defensive backs D’Mauria Martin and Tarence Roby. Durdon rushed for more than 200 yards on three occasions. Martin picked off three passes in a win over Midland and was named the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week. Roby made his way onto ESPN’s SportsCenter with an electrifying 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.
There was no shortage of talent on a team that also included one of the nation’s most productive freshmen in linebacker Lane Napier and an offensive line that developed into the program’s best in many years. The only shame is that the Bulldogs waited until game No. 6 to really get rolling. Concordia was perhaps a couple of rough early-season performances away from being a playoff team.
Said Daberkow frankly, “It was disappointing in some ways. I thought our record would be better, but man I learned a lot. I learned so much over the course of this last year and I’m excited about applying it in the future. The disappointment is that we didn’t reach some of the goals that we had set.”
Some period of adjustment was to be expected. Not only did Daberkow shift from defensive coordinator to head coach, Corby Osten (defensive coordinator), Thomas Byrd (offensive coordinator) and Wes Coomes (special teams coach) each found themselves in new roles. From a personnel standpoint, Durdon transitioned from a receiver with essentially no varsity experience to the team’s feature running back and Osten was tasked with replacing eight starters on defense.
On the plus side, two of the starters were Martin and Roby. Martin moved from corner to safety and flourished, recording six tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and five interceptions. Meanwhile, quarterbacks rarely threw to Roby’s side of the field, but he still managed seven pass breakups and four picks.
“We have not had two defensive backs of that caliber on the field at the same time since I’ve been at Concordia,” Daberkow said. “They are great competitors. They’re passionate. They’re fun to be around. They have a great sense of humor. Tarence Roby played angry all the time. D’Mauria is a leader. He knew the defense and he knew opponents well. That’s why moving him from corner to safety worked out so well.”
Martin and Roby were known commodities before the 2017 season began. Durdon was not. A native of Decatur, Texas, Durdon made a name for himself in no time. He burst onto the scene in the season opener with a 208-yard rushing performance that included a 77-yard touchdown gallop. He never let up. During the team’s four-game win streak, Durdon rushed for 136 yards or more each time out on his way to 1,247 rushing yards on the season.
“It wasn’t a huge shock,” Daberkow said. “We knew he had potential to be a great running back. That’s why we moved him there. He’s a strong runner. I didn’t know how good his breakaway speed would be. I was most impressed with that.”
Another breakout star, Napier was the GPAC’s lone freshman to earn first team all-conference defensive accolades. Daberkow says the program fended off several GPAC rivals to land the David City native during the recruiting process. Napier shined as a rookie, leading the conference with 97 tackles while also recording eight tackles for loss. He’ll be a cornerstone moving forward for a program ready to get over the hump.
A major factor in Concordia’s recent rise to respectability has been Jared Garcia, a two-time first team and two-time second team All-GPAC selection over the course of his standout career as a receiver. He finished his collegiate run with program career records for receiving yards (2,495) and receiving touchdowns (35) while also possessing the school single-season record for touchdown grabs (11). He and other seniors like tight end Seth Fitzke and the aforementioned defensive back pair helped the program to a record of 24-17 over the past four seasons.
Those seniors will be missed, but Daberkow likes the foundation that has been put into place. The pieces up front are paramount for achieving success in an offensive scheme reliant upon first establishing the run. A host of players with starting experience are expected back in 2018, including first team all-conference honoree Matt Romero along with Cole Baumgartner, Michael Brewer, Grady Koch and Austin Taylor. Says Daberkow about the offensive line, “I feel good about where we’re headed.”
It's paragraph 15 so it’s mighty time to talk about the quarterback situation. Riley Wiltfong handled the role efficiently when he returned to the controls after the bye week. Having used a redshirt year, the Doniphan, Neb., native has a decision to make as to whether he returns in 2018. Said Daberkow, “I really want him back.” It’s easy to understand why. Wiltfong played the best football of his career this fall and provides a legitimate dual threat. Senior-to-be Andrew Perea will also return after seeing significant time at quarterback this fall.
The countdown is on until spring football practice arrives. That’s not to say that the winter months don’t matter. Daberkow has helped foster an atmosphere of accountability. Within that atmosphere, there is no time to waste.
“We have to arrive at every training session, whether it be weight room, skill development or whatever we’re doing, with a purpose,” Daberkow said. “We have established our goals for next season. We have got to have those goals in mind every time we get under a bar and every time we get ready for a morning workout. We have to have that third down play in our head. We need to get better as football players. We have a lot of guys that are going to need to step into starting roles. We have to prove ourselves in a lot of areas.”
Roby claims All-America honors from AFCA
SEWARD, Neb. – One of the GPAC’s most dominant defensive players over the past four seasons, senior Tarence Roby claimed a major award from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) on Monday (Dec. 11). The organization named Roby to the second team of its NAIA football All-America list. Roby becomes the fifth All-America selection in the past six years for the Concordia University football program.
Other recent Bulldogs to garner All-America recognition were defensive lineman Trey Barnes (2015 and 2016), defensive back Darnell Woods (2013) and kicker Kenny Zoeller (2012). Roby joins other All-American defensive backs such as Woods and Sean Stewart (2002), the program’s all-time interception leader and a member of the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame.
Said head coach Patrick Daberkow, “Tarence is a guy who played angry all the time and it showed. He’s a quiet guy but he has a great passion for the game and I like the way that he plays.”
Roby starred as one of the most electrifying talents in the conference. The native of Rockford, Ill., has been named an all-conference choice in each of his four seasons in Seward. The highlight reel play of his senior season was a 100-yard interception for a touchdown in the win over Ottawa that landed him on ESPN’s SportsCenter. On the year, Roby posted 31 tackles, seven pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble. He also piled up 1,041 all-purpose yards (718 kick return, 166 punt return, 151 interception return) while serving as one of the nation’s top return men. Roby compiled 141 tackles, 27 pass breakups and nine interceptions over his Bulldog career.
CONCORDIA FOOTBALL ALL-AMERICANS
2017 – Tarence Roby, defensive back (second team)
2016 – Trey Barnes, defensive line (first team)
2015 – Trey Barnes, defensive line (second team)
2013 – Darnell Woods, safety (first team)
2012 – Derek Blessing, punt returner (first team – Beyond Sports Network)
2012 – Kenny Zoeller, kicker (first team)
2007 – JaMaine Lewis, running back (second team – Victory Sports Network)
2007 – Jeff Neujahr, kick/punt returner (honorable mention – Victory Sports Network)
2006 – Jeff Neujahr, kick/punt returner (honorable mention – Victory Sports Network)
2004 – Matthew Egger, punter
2002 – Sean Stewart, safety (second team)
2001 – Erik DeHaven, linebacker
2001 – Sean Stewart, safety (honorable mention)
2001 – Ross Wurdeman, tight end (first team)
2000 – Drew Ekart, defensive back (honorable mention)
2000 – Sean Stewart, safety (honorable mention)
2000 – Ross Wurdeman, tight end (first team)
1996 – Ed McLaughlin, offensive line (honorable mention)
1995 – Mike Hoernemann, linebacker (honorable mention)
1994 – Travis Soukup, tight end/punter (first team)
1984 – Kahlil King, safety (first team)
1984 – Cleve Wester, running back
1982 – Gary Pomerenke, defensive line (first team)
1981 – Gary Pomerenke, defensive line (second team)
1965 – Dennis Oetting, lineman (honorable mention)
1964 – Bob Oetting, lineman
1961 – Larry Oetting, lineman
1959 – John Suhr, quarterback/safety/punter
1956 – Gary Seevers, running back
1955 – Gary Seevers, running back
Lehmann tabbed CoSIDA Academic All-American for third-straight year
CoSIDA Academic All-Americans
SEWARD, Neb. – For the third year in a row, offensive lineman Hallick Lehmann has been named to the Academic All-America® College Division football team, as chosen by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The teams were announced on Monday (Dec. 11) afternoon, honoring a total of 27 NAIA football players around the country.
The CoSIDA Academic All-America® Football Teams have been released to recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. For more information about the Academic All-District™ and Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit http://cosida.com.
A fifth-year senior, Lehmann served as a starting tackle for an offensive line that helped running back Ryan Durdon explode for 1,247 rushing yards this past season. A native of Albion, Neb., Lehmann sports a cumulative 3.90 grade-point average while majoring in behavioral science and psychology. In addition to three CoSIDA Academic All-America awards, Lehmann garnered honorable mention All-GPAC recognition this season and is on track to be named a NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the third time.
During the 2016-17 academic year, Lehmann joined fellow Bulldogs Amy Ahlers (golf), Chandler Folkerts (basketball), Samantha Liermann (track and field) and CJ Muller (track and field) as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.
2016-17 academic all-district honorees
(*Academic All-American)
*Amy Ahlers, Golf
*Chandler Folkerts, Basketball
Le’Dontrae Gooden, Football
*Hallick Lehmann, Football
*Sam Liermann, Track & Field
*CJ Muller, Track & Field
Lucas Wiechman, Track & Field
2015-16 academic all-district honorees
(*Academic All-American)
*Amy Ahlers, Golf
*Stephanie Coley, Track & Field
*Chandler Folkerts, Basketball
*Hallick Lehmann, Football
Adam Meirose, Football
Becky Mueller, Basketball
*CJ Muller, Track & Field
*Kim Wood, Cross Country/Track & Field
2014-15 academic all-district honorees
(*Academic All-American)
Amy Ahlers, Golf
*Brendan Buchanan, Soccer
Stephanie Coley, Track & Field
*Chandler Folkerts, Basketball
Jaydee Jurgensen, Baseball
Adam Meirose, Football
Bailey Morris, Basketball
*Rachel Mussell, Soccer
Shawn Rodehorst, Golf
Ben Sievert, Cross Country/Track & Field
Melissa Stine, Soccer
Roby named nominee for Cliff Harris Award
SEWARD, Neb. – For the first time since the Cliff Harris Award originated in 2013, a Concordia University football representative has been named a nominee. Senior defensive back Tarence Roby made the list of nominations that includes elite defensive players from around the nation. The Cliff Harris Award is presented to the top defensive player in the country representing NAIA and NCAA Division II and III institutions.
Also a first team All-GPAC choice and NAIA second team All-America selection by the America Football Coaches Association, Roby is one of 32 NAIA defensive standouts to make the list of nominees. A prestigious selection committee made up of former college and pro football greats will select the winner. In addition to the Cliff Harris Award overall winner, the top vote getter from each division will also be announced.
Finalists for the award will be released on Dec. 20 with the Cliff Harris Award winner to be announced on Dec. 23. The honoree will be recognized at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet on Jan. 11, 2018. The winner will receive the $3,000 Cliff Harris Award trophy presented by Cliff Harris, along with featured speaker Marcus Allen.
Three Bulldogs to represent football program in all-star games
SEWARD, Neb. – The football careers of three Concordia University seniors will extend at least into this weekend. Kicker Brendan Cremin and defensive back D’Mauria Martin will all participate in the annual D2 vs. NAIA Challenge while receiver Jared Garcia will appear at the D1-FCS Senior Scout Bowl. The Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL) organizes the both all-star contests that feature top senior football players from around the nation. This year’s D2 vs. NAIA Challenge will kick off from Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach, S.C., at 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 16. The D1-FCS Senior Scout Bowl will follow at 7:30 p.m. ET at the same location.
A first team All-GPAC performer for the second year in a row, Martin put together a final collegiate season worthy of All-America consideration. The native of Converse, Texas, pulled in the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week award on Oct. 16 after snaring three interceptions in a win over Midland. On the year, Martin totaled 52 tackles (six for loss), eight pass breakups, five interceptions and a forced fumble. After starting at corner his first three seasons as a Bulldog, Martin moved to safety in 2017. In his four-year career, Martin racked up 136 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 30 pass breakups and seven interceptions.
Garcia, who hails from Pearland, Texas, is the most accomplished receiver in program history. Over his four seasons as a Bulldog, Garcia hauled in 161 receptions for 2,495 yards and 35 touchdowns. His yardage and touchdown totals represent all-time school records while his reception total placed him at No. 2 in the record book. As a senior, Garcia reeled in 21 passes for 307 yards and six touchdowns over five games. Garcia notched two first team All-GPAC awards and two second team All-GPAC honors throughout his career, which included eight games with 100 or more receiving yards. His 11 touchdown receptions as a freshman remain a program single-season record.
A transfer from Modesto Community College, Cremin spent his junior and senior seasons as a member of the Bulldogs. The native of Modesto, Calif., went 6-for-12 on field goals (long of 43) and 28-for-29 on extra point attempts this fall. He also punted 14 times for an average of 34.5 yards per attempt. His career Concordia career included nine successful field goal tries. He went 36-for-38 on PATs over his two seasons.
Former Bulldogs Trey Barnes and Bryce Collins played in the 2016 contest.
Seven Bulldogs named to football Scholar-Athlete list
SEWARD, Neb. – Seven members of the Concordia University football team reeled in Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition, as announced by the NAIA on Friday (Dec. 15). The list of Bulldog honorees includes repeat award winners in seniors Matt Chilman, Hallick Lehmann and Justus Thompson. First-time Scholar-Athletes are senior Parker Hasenkamp and juniors Adam Christiansen, Caden Jameson and Daniel Langewisch. Lehmann is also a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American.
In order to be nominated by an institution’s head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status. A total of 379 football student-athletes across the nation were named 2017 Scholar-Athletes by the NAIA.
Concordia University ranks as the NAIA’s all-time leader in number of Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes with 1,317 and counting. The Bulldogs have been a regular national leader for both scholar-athletes and scholar-teams and are coming off a 2016-17 academic year that resulted in 78 more scholar-athletes and 19 scholar-teams. The 2015-16 season produced a GPAC best 92 Bulldog scholar-athletes and a national best 20 NAIA Scholar-Teams. The 2014-15 season culminated with GPAC-leading totals of 94 Bulldog scholar-athletes and 17 NAIA Scholar-Teams. During the 2013-14 academic year, Concordia garnered 101 Scholar-Athlete honorees (most in the NAIA) and 17 NAIA Scholar-Teams (tied for fourth nationally).
2017 Football Scholar-Athletes
Matt Chilman, Sr. | Las Vegas, Nev.
Adam Christiansen, Jr. | Palmer, Alaska | Journalism and Public Relations
Parker Hasenkamp, Sr. | Hiawatha, Kan.
Caden Jameson, Jr. | Thedford, Neb. | Business Administration
Daniel Langewisch, Jr. | Lakewood, Colo. | Pre-Seminary; Business Administration
Hallick Lehmann, Sr. | Albion, Neb. | Behavioral Science/Psychology
Justus Thompson, Sr. | Parker, Colo. | Behavioral Science/Psychology
Roby placed on AP All-America first team
SEWARD, Neb. – Senior Tarence Roby has established a reputation as one of the top defensive players in the NAIA. Over the past week, Roby had already been named a NAIA second team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and a nominee for the Cliff Harris Award (presented to the nation’s top small college football defensive player). Then on Friday (Dec. 15), the Associated Press tabbed Roby as a first team All-American.
The AP All-America teams were selected by a panel of sports information directors from conferences and schools around the country. The panel included Concordia’s director of athletic communications.
Other recent Bulldogs to garner All-America recognition were defensive lineman Trey Barnes (2015 and 2016), defensive back Darnell Woods (2013) and kicker Kenny Zoeller (2012). Roby joins other All-American defensive backs such as Woods and Sean Stewart (2002), the program’s all-time interception leader and a member of the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame.
Roby starred as one of the most electrifying talents in the conference. The native of Rockford, Ill., has been named an all-conference choice in each of his four seasons in Seward. The highlight reel play of his senior season was a 100-yard interception for a touchdown in the win over Ottawa that landed him on ESPN’s SportsCenter. On the year, Roby posted 31 tackles, seven pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble. He also piled up 1,041 all-purpose yards (718 kick return, 166 punt return, 151 interception return) while serving as one of the nation’s top return men. Roby compiled 141 tackles, 27 pass breakups and nine interceptions over his Bulldog career.
2017 Associated Press NAIA Football All-Americans
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback – Tanner Trosin, senior, Southern Oregon.
Running backs – Bubba Jenkins, senior, Morningside; Justin Green, junior, St. Francis, Indiana.
Linemen – Trae Bradburn, senior, Morningside; Justin Hunter, senior, Saint Xavier; Trey Coney, sophomore, Reinhardt; Chris Emter, senior, Carroll College; Xavier Carter, senior, Reinhardt;
Tight end – Trenton Poe-Evans, sophomore, Kansas Wesleyan.
Receivers – Hayden Adams, senior, Dakota Wesleyan; Connor Niles, junior, Morningside.
All-purpose player – Charles Ducksworth, senior, Point.
Kicker – Daniel Martinez, senior, Wayland Baptist.
DEFENSE
Linemen – Jamarae Finnie, senior, Langston; Evan Sprayberry, junior, Tabor; Tevin McCoy, junior, Reinhardt; Resean Coleman, sophomore, William Penn.
Linebackers – Caden McDonald, senior, Morningside; Piercen Harnish, junior, St. Francis, Indiana; Thomas Sease, senior, Dickinson State.
Backs – Darius Price, senior, Siena Heights; Tomunci Whitfield, senior, Southwestern, Kansas; Tarence Roby, senior, Concordia, Nebraska; Nate Moore, senior, College of Idaho.
Punter – Derek Brush, senior, Arizona Christian.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback – Dillon Turner, senior, Dakota Wesleyan.
Running backs – JD Woods, freshman, Baker; Jacob Kalogonis, sophomore, Northwestern, Iowa.
Linemen – Avery Lock, senior, Valley City State; Spencer Baalman, senior, Tabor; Garrett Bader, senior, Benedictine; Zac Lawson, senior, Lindsey Wilson; Darrion McAlister, senior, Marian.
Tight end – J.C. Koerselman, senior, Northwestern, Iowa.
Receivers – Lexus Jackson, senior, St. Francis, Illinois; LaQuvionte Gonzalez, senior, Southeastern, Florida.
All-purpose player – Tahj Willingham, senior, Hastings College.
Kicker – Mario Esparaza, senior Southwester, Kansas.
DEFENSE
Linemen – Chris Overton, senior, St. Ambrose; Sean Rogers, junior, Southern Oregon; Josh Evans, senior, Evangel; Jason Lupkes, senior, Morningside.
Linebackers – Michael Arenas, senior, Eastern Oregon; Trent Mueller, junior, Lindsey Wilson; Garrett Updegraft, senior, Kansas Wesleyan.
Backs – Nate McLaurin, junior, Baker; Jay Liggins, junior, Dickinson State; Cole Wiseman, senior, Doane; Tionte McDaniel, sophomore, St. Xavier.
Punter – Drake Higgins, sophomore, Missouri Valley.
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Selection panel: Mike Byker, Dordt College; Kelli Elmore, Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference; Wally Feldt, Frontier Conference; Jo Jo Freeman, Cumberland, Tennessee; Tim Goozen, Arizona Christian; Nick Huntimer, North Star Athletic Association; Jake Knabel, Concordia, Nebraska; Gus Kautz, KAIR Radio; Kevin Lewis, Wayland Baptist; Eric Montgomery, Heart of America Athletic Conference; Sean Ostrander, Robert Morris, Illinois; Mark Potts, Valley City State; Bill Scott, St. Francis, Indiana; Dave Toelle, Kansas Wesleyan; Chris Wells, Mid-South Conference.
CONCORDIA FOOTBALL ALL-AMERICANS
2017 – Tarence Roby, defensive back (first team – Associated Press; second team – AFCA)
2016 – Trey Barnes, defensive line (first team)
2015 – Trey Barnes, defensive line (second team)
2013 – Darnell Woods, safety (first team)
2012 – Derek Blessing, punt returner (first team – Beyond Sports Network)
2012 – Kenny Zoeller, kicker (first team)
2007 – JaMaine Lewis, running back (second team – Victory Sports Network)
2007 – Jeff Neujahr, kick/punt returner (honorable mention – Victory Sports Network)
2006 – Jeff Neujahr, kick/punt returner (honorable mention – Victory Sports Network)
2004 – Matthew Egger, punter
2002 – Sean Stewart, safety (second team)
2001 – Erik DeHaven, linebacker
2001 – Sean Stewart, safety (honorable mention)
2001 – Ross Wurdeman, tight end (first team)
2000 – Drew Ekart, defensive back (honorable mention)
2000 – Sean Stewart, safety (honorable mention)
2000 – Ross Wurdeman, tight end (first team)
1996 – Ed McLaughlin, offensive line (honorable mention)
1995 – Mike Hoernemann, linebacker (honorable mention)
1994 – Travis Soukup, tight end/punter (first team)
1984 – Kahlil King, safety (first team)
1984 – Cleve Wester, running back
1982 – Gary Pomerenke, defensive line (first team)
1981 – Gary Pomerenke, defensive line (second team)
1965 – Dennis Oetting, lineman (honorable mention)
1964 – Bob Oetting, lineman
1961 – Larry Oetting, lineman
1959 – John Suhr, quarterback/safety/punter
1956 – Gary Seevers, running back
1955 – Gary Seevers, running back
Fourteen Bulldogs pick up All-Nebraska football honors
SEWARD, Neb. – Fourteen members of the Concordia University football program placed themselves on either the 2017 All-Nebraska team or on the list of honorable mention choices. The teams were announced by theOmaha World-Herald on Saturday (Dec. 23). The Omaha news outlet selected Ryan Durdon and Matt Romero to its offense and D’Mauria Martin, Lane Napier, Tarence Roby and Erik Small to its defense on teams that were made up of NAIA and NCAA Division III Nebraska football programs. Brady Fitzke was tabbed as the team’s punter.
Seven Bulldogs collected honorable mention All-Nebraska accolades: Seth Fitzke, Kordell Glause, Nate Gilmore, Grady Koch, Hallick Lehmann, Austin Reese and Shane Scott. Repeat selections from the 2016 All-Nebraska selections include Martin and Roby. First team All-GPAC choices in 2017 from Concordia were Martin, Napier, Roby and Romero. Roby also collected first team All-America honors from the Associated Press and second team All-America laurels from the America Football Coaches Association.
The 2017 season marked the first under head coach Patrick Daberkow’s direction. He led the Bulldogs to a 6-4 overall record and a third place GPAC finish.
NAIA/NCAA Division III All-Nebraska Football Team
OFFENSE
WR Jacob Cornelius, Sr., Doane
WR Jake Coughlin, Sr., Peru State
TE Caleb Conway, Jr., Neb. Wesleyan
OL Daniel Jahn, So., Midland
OL Blaine Morrow, Sr., Hastings
OL Matt Romero, Jr., Concordia
OL Christian Vinsky, Sr., Peru State
OL Tanner Webster, Sr., Doane
QB Jonathan Curti, So., Neb. Wesleyan
RB *Tahj Willingham, Jr., Hastings
RB Ryan Durdon, So., Concordia
* — denotes honorary captain
DEFENSE
DL Stephen Bowers, Jr., Peru State
DL Austin Bretting, Jr., Hastings
DL Tyler Parthemer, Jr., Hastings
DL Erik Small, Sr., Concordia
LB Bret Andrew, Sr., Doane
LB Lane Napier, Fr., Concordia
LB Wyatt Tremayne, Jr., Midland
CB Justin Barnes, Sr., Peru State
CB D’Mauria Martin, Sr., Concordia
CB Tarence Roby, Sr., Concordia
CB *Cole Wiseman, Sr., Doane
* — denotes honorary captain
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Bryce Cooney, So., Doane
P Brady Fitzke, Fr., Concordia
RS Exavier Edwards, Sr., Midland
AP Shaka Taylor, Jr., Neb. Wesleyan
Honorable mention: Concordia: Seth Fitzke, Kordell Glause, Nate Gilmore, Grady Koch, Hallick Lehmann, Austin Reese, Shane Scott.Doane: Chayton Crow, Connor Hughes, Kyle Jensen, Seth Majerus, Tariq Mustafaa, Anthony Malone. Hastings: Anthony Cloyd, Noah Housh, Nathan Howe, Farao Maileoi, Norman McKissack, Frank Vierra. Midland: Alex Boyer, Garry Cannon, Hayden Dunn, Bryan McLaughlin, Taylor Syvertsen. Nebraska Wesleyan: Dakota Buss, Bryce Darner, Jacob LaMarche, Tyler Sorensen. Peru State: Ismael Calvillo, Trevis Carnahan, AJ Flodman, Quentin King, Gunnar Orcutt, Sean Van Briesen.
Roby picks up third All-America award
Victory Sports Network All-Americans
SEWARD, Neb. – Tarence Roby has been cleaning up on postseason awards. Another one arrived after New Year’s when Victory Sports Network named Roby to its NAIA All-America team. Other entities that have showered Roby with All-America accolades were the American Football Coaches Association and the Associated Press.
Roby 2017 postseason honors
- Associated Press First Team All-American
- Victory Sports Network First Team All-American
- American Football Coaches Association Second Team All-American
- Finalist for Cliff Harris Award (given to top small college defensive player)
- First Team All-GPAC
- Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska
Other recent Bulldogs to garner All-America recognition were defensive lineman Trey Barnes (2015 and 2016), defensive back Darnell Woods (2013) and kicker Kenny Zoeller (2012). Roby joins other All-American defensive backs such as Woods and Sean Stewart (2002), the program’s all-time interception leader and a member of the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame.
Roby starred as one of the most electrifying talents in the conference. The native of Rockford, Ill., has been named an all-conference choice in each of his four seasons in Seward. The highlight reel play of his senior season was a 100-yard interception for a touchdown in the win over Ottawa that landed him on ESPN’s SportsCenter. On the year, Roby posted 31 tackles, seven pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble. He also piled up 1,041 all-purpose yards (718 kick return, 166 punt return, 151 interception return) while serving as one of the nation’s top return men. Roby compiled 141 tackles, 27 pass breakups and nine interceptions over his Bulldog career.