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No. 21 Doane (Neb.) defeats Trojans in football action
September 8, 2012
CRETE, Neb. – Doane (Neb.), No. 21 in the NAIA Football Preseason Coaches' national poll, jumped to a 21-0 halftime lead over Dakota State Saturday evening at the Simon Field. The Tigers extended their lead to 28-0 before the Trojans scored. DSU was unable to complete a comeback as Doane defeated the Trojans 35-14.
Dakota State dropped their overall record to 0-3. Doane, member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, remained undefeated in two games this season.
DC scored the first points of the game when Justin Malleck returned a 12-yard punt block for a touchdown with eleven minutes and 32 seconds left in the first quarter. 
Christian Iannone's PAT kick was good to give Doane a 7-0 lead.
The Tigers made it 14-0 in the early second quarter when Jeff Weander threw a 93-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Curry (Iannone's PAT extra point was successful).
DC's Weander rushed for a four-yard touchdown with 6:31 remaining before halftime. Iannone added a PAT kick to extend Tigers' lead to 21-0.
Weander connected to Curry for a 42-yard touchdown pass of the game with 8:10 left in the third quarter for Doane. Iannone's PAT kick was good to give DC a 28-0 lead.
Dakota State used four plays for 76 yards in 1:40 for a score in the ensuing possession. Brandon Large connected to Wes Dauz for a 9-yard touchdown pass. Nic Behrens' PAT kick was successful as the Trojans trimmed their deficit to 28-7 with 6:23 left in the third quarter.
With 22 seconds remaining in the third, Weander threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Josh Boggs. 
Iannone's PAT extra point kick was good to gain a 35-7 lead. The Tigers recorded 14 plays for 65 yards in 5:51 for the score.
Large threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ely with eight minutes remaining in the game for DSU. Behrens' PAT kick was good as DSU cut DC's lead to 35-14. The Trojans used five plays for 83 yards in 1:29 in their scoring drive.
Large was 13-for-23 with 260 yards and recorded two touchdown passes for the Trojans. Stacey Berg had five catches for 103 yards. Carl Curtis added three receptions for 53 yards. John Niesen rushed 17 times for 19 yards.
For Doane, Weander was 20-for-33 with 303 yards, three touchdown passes and recorded an interception. Curry had three receptions for 141 yards and caught two touchdown passes. Jesse Ver Velde added five catches for 73 yards. Alex Dose had 14 rushing attempts for 57 yards.
Craig Hertz had 19 tackles for Dakota State. Eric Liles added 14 tackles and forced fumble two times. Matt Groff recorded an interception.
Doane outgained the Trojans 484-329 in total offensive yards. DC had 149 rushing yards while DSU recorded 44 rushing yards. Doane recorded 335 passing yards compared to the Trojans' 285 passing yards.
DC had 21 first-downs in the game compared to DSU 14 first-downs.
Doane had a ball control for 33 minutes and 34 seconds in the game. Dakota State had a possession time of 26:26.
The Trojans were 2-of-13 in third-down conversions compared to Doane 7-of-19.
Dakota State looks to record their first win of the season as they return home next Saturday (Sept. 15). The Trojans welcome Valley City State (N.D.) in an Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) conference game. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m. at the Trojan Field.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
