Warriors Tame Tigers in Road Battle

CRETE, Neb. – Playing its final road game of the season, Midland University shut out Doane University, 24-0, in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) football action on Saturday at Al Papik Field. The win marked Midland's first shutout of the season.

Doane received the opening kickoff, with Cade Wiseman returning the ball to the Tigers' 20-yard line. Midland's defense set the tone immediately, forcing a three-and-out. A bad snap on the punt attempt gave Midland possession at the Doane 8-yard line. Two plays later, Tyson Denkert scored on a 2-yard run, and Cameron Spicer's extra point put Midland up 7-0 with 12:35 left in the first quarter.

After another three-and-out by the Tigers, Midland started its second drive at the Doane 49-yard line. Five plays later, Denkert broke free for a 30-yard gain to the 5-yard line, and he finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Spicer's kick made it 14-0 with 7:25 remaining in the quarter.

The Warriors' defense continued to dominate, forcing another punt. Midland then marched to the Doane 15-yard line before the drive stalled. Spicer connected on a 30-yard field goal, extending the lead to 17-0 with 1:51 left in the first half. Brandon Lance intercepted Doane's Sam Hartman shortly before halftime, keeping the Tigers scoreless as Midland went into the break.

Midland received the second-half kickoff, and after gains by Denkert and Anthony McPhee, the drive stalled. A defensive stand by the Warriors forced another three-and-out by Doane. On Midland's next possession, Teryn Berry connected with Glen Atkins III on a 15-yard completion and later found Tae Marks for 11 yards. The drive ended with a missed 34-yard field goal attempt.

In the fourth quarter, the Warriors capped a drive with Denkert's third touchdown, a 10-yard carry following a 53-yard pass from Berry to McPhee. Spicer's PAT made it 24-0 with 9:14 to go. The defense held strong, with Lance making a crucial tackle on a fourth-down attempt to secure the ball for Midland, who ran out the clock to claim the shutout victory.

Midland rushed 43 times for 173 yards and completed 16 of 31 passes for 188 yards, totaling 361 yards of offense. Doane (2-8, 2-7 GPAC) was held to 117 yards, with 48 rushing and 69 passing.

Individually, Denkert led Midland with 29 carries for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Berry went 16-for-31 for 188 yards, and McPhee had four catches for 82 yards. Lance led the defense with five tackles and an interception, while Jay Ballard contributed five tackles and a forced fumble.

For Doane, Green led the rushing attack with 10 carries for 37 yards, and Hartman finished 12-of-27 passing for 69 yards and an interception. Defensively, Reece Zutavern had a game-high 16 tackles, while Jarett Boggs added 11.

Midland (6-4, 5-4 GPAC) will wrap up its 2024 schedule by hosting Concordia (7-2, 7-2 GPAC) at Heedum Field on Saturday, November 16. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. in Fremont with Senior Day festivities taking place before.