47-yard Field Goal Lifts Tigers

Now 41 years later, the Victory Sports Network (VSN) First Town Classic showcased two historic programs which rank in the Top 5 in all-time program victories in the NAIA would meet up to break the tie.

Both teams had opportunities in the first half to put points on the board but as predicted, a defensive battle ensued.  William Jewell received two field goals from Garrett Withers in the first half and took a 6-0 lead into halftime.

The Cardinals were led offensively in the first half by quarterback Drew Witman.  Witman was 16-for-21 for 200 yards in the first two quarters of play.  He also led the team with 21 yards on the ground.

The Tigers on the other hand, were intercepted three times in their first four possessions.  The first interception thrown by JR Artozqui (Sr.; La Habra, Calif.) was batted at the line of scrimmage and picked-off by linebacker Travis Foerschler.  Artozqui's second interception came in part due to his receiver falling down while making a cut on his route.  The third came on an over-throw of the intended receiver and was intercepted at the William Jewell five yard line.  Clayton Hewitt snagged the last two interceptions for the Cardinals.

The third quarter remained scoreless but Doane was slowly starting to flex their muscle.  The quarter ended with the Tigers taking the ball into Cardinal territory at the 12 yard line after nine plays.  The possession ended two plays into the fourth quarter on a Dustin Groteluschen (Fr.; Columbus, Neb.) 25-yard field goal to cut the deficit in half at 6-3.

The Doane defense held William Jewell to a 3-and-out on their next possession and once again the Tigers put together a long drive.

Doane marched 65 yards on seven plays and punched in a go-ahead touchdown when Tim Reed (So.; Syracuse, Neb.) crossed the goal line on third down from the one yard line.  The extra point attempt from Groteluschen hit the right upright and Doane led 9-6.

Once again, the Cardinals were held to a three-play possession and forced to punt.  On the first play on the Tigers next possession, Jaremy Puthoff (So.; Escalon, Calif.) recorded a two-yard gain before having the ball pop out of his arms.  Fortunately for the Tigers, no one from either team was able to jump on the ball until Justin Hoffman (So.; Fairbury, Neb.) recovered it for a first down for the Tigers.

Doane was eventually forced to punt but William Jewell punt returner Adam McBride was unable to hand the kick from Josh Warren (Sr.; Overton, Neb.) and Kurt Chvatal (Fr.; Malmo, Neb.) recovered it for the Tigers.  Four plays later, Groteluschen connected for his second field goal of the game, this one coming from 34 yards away.  Doane led 12-6 with 1:43 remaining in the game

Puthoff took the Jewell kickoff 30 yards to the Doane 46 yard line.  On the first play of the drive, Artozqui rolled out and eventually tucked the ball under his arm and raced for 11 yards into Cardinal territory.  He then completed a pass to Blake Erickson (So.; Campbell, Neb.) for four yards.  A pass interference call took the Tigers down to the Cardinal 29 yard line.

Artozqui completed another pass, this one to Antony Ritton (Jr.; Auburn, Neb.) for four yards.  After an incompletion in the end zone, the Tigers were called for a false start on a hesitated snap.  Puthoff took the next play for one yard and to the center of the field.

Doane took their final timeout with two seconds on the clock and the ball sitting just inside the Jewell 30 yard line.

The Tiger freshman kicker, who had never attempted a kick in high school, had a chance to break the tie in the game and the all-time series.  A good snap, a good hold and a good kick were all delivered as Groteluschen snuck in the 47-yard game-winner over the cross bar as time expired.  The kick gave Groteluschen Offensive Player-of-the-Game honors.

"That kick should be a huge confidence boost for him and the team," said Doane Head Coach Matt Franzen.  "To come back after a mistake (missed PAT), he showed mental toughness."

For the game, Groteluschen was 3-for-3 on his field goal attempts.

The offense for Doane controlled much of the second half as the Tigers had the ball for nearly 19 of the 30 minute of play.  The rushing game continued to get better as the team totaled 122 yards in the second half.  Artozqui had a strong second half passing, completing 6-of-7 pass attempts for 43 yards.

Artozqui finished the game with 113 passing yards and 56 rushing yards.  Puthoff led the ground game with 74 yards on 17 carries (4.4 yd/c).  Reed posted 31 yards on 10 carries.

Ritton led the receiving corps with four catches.  Reed and Erickson pulled in three receptions each.

"I felt we wore them down as the game went one," Franzen said of his offensive unit.  "The team kept battling even though we had a rough start."

The offense finished with 283 total yards on 61 plays.  Doane posted 167 yards in the second half.

Defensively, Warren finished with 12 total tackles.  He added a sack and quarterback hurry to go with the blocked point after try.  His efforts earned him Defensive Player-of-the-Game honors.

"The defense stepped up as the game went on," commented Franzen.  "They had some key stops and gave us momentum."

The defense allowed 379 total yards but limited the Cardinals to 146 yards in the second half, 77 yards coming on the touchdown pass.

"I'm ecstatic about this win.  A year ago, I don't think we would have come back like we did.  We didn't flinch with the rough start and that could have been demoralizing.  It is a testament to the way the guys kept battling.  The defense didn't break and forced field goals and that allowed us to have the second half we had."

Up Next:
The Tigers will face Hastings College on Saturday, September 6, in Hastings.  The game can be heard through the KUTT 99.5 web site, link located on the Doane football schedule page.