Crawford, Nelson Lead List of All-Conference for Doane (11/15/05) Jordan Crawford, a senior from Arapahoe, Neb., has been named First Team All-GPAC after leading the conference in tackles this year. He was named to the second team a season ago. Justin Nelson, a junior from Schuyler, Neb., has been selected Second Team All-GPAC after finishing second in yards per game (126.3) and rushing for 1,137 yards.

Twelve Tigers received honorable mention status: Mark Rogge (SR; Fairbury, Neb.), Adam Kingsley (JR; Fremont, Neb.), Joe Radke (SR; Utica, Neb.), Mitch Tweedy (SR; Kiowa, Colo.), Matt Sexton (SO; Cambridge, Neb.), Logan Papik (JR, Lincoln, Neb.), Eric Buse (SR; Wisner, Neb.), Ronnie Patron (JR; Las Vegas, Nev.), Jared Hemmingsen (SO; Lincoln, Neb.), Will Sadowski (JR; Wickenburg, Ariz.), Quentin Bradley (SR; LaPlace, La.), Matt Barth (JR; Utica, Neb.).

The Tigers finished with the same record as a year ago at 2-8. The Tigers improved statistically under first-year head coach Tommie Frazier. The offense averaged 37 yards more a game and scored 4.5 more points per game while the defense allowed 11 fewer yards per game and 1.2 fewer points per game.
 

Crawford Earns GPAC Weekly Honor (11/14/05 - GPAC Release) Doane defensive back Jordan Crawford is this week's GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Football Defensive Player-of-the-Week. Crawford, a senior from Arapahoe, Nebraska, led the Doane defense with five solo and six assist tackles in a 28-13 win over Briar Cliff. He added a sack and an interception for a 45 yard touchdown. Crawford also had 3.5 tackles for loss. Doane ended the season at 2-8.

Tigers End Season in Victory (11/12/05) Doane fell behind 10-0 in the first eight minutes of the game but battled back to defeat Briar Cliff University 28-13 in the season finale. The Tigers got on the board in the second quarter when Bryan Dutcher scored on a quarterback keeper to pull Doane within three points. With 1:27 left before halftime, Dutcher connected on a 13 yard pass to Corey Lind to put Doane ahead 14-10. BCU pulled within one with a field goal in the third quarter. With 17 seconds left in the third quarter, Jordan Crawford intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for touchdown. Crawford ended the game with 11 total tackles, 3.5 for loss and one sack to go with the interception.

The offense was highlighted by junior Justin Nelson's 241 yard performance, the seventh best game performance on the ground. Nelson capped the scoring with a 22 yard run early in the fourth quarter. He rushed for 100+ yards in seven of the nine games he played in this year.

Second Quarter Slows Down Tigers (11/5/05) Doane jumped out to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter only to have Hastings College score 24 unanswered points over the next 15 minutes of play and hold off the Tigers 24-17. Doane's Bryan Dutcher was intercepted on two consecutive possessions after the Tigers had closed with in seven points. Dutcher threw for 232 yards and a touchdown on the day while also rushing for one touchdown. Mark Rogge had 118 yards receiving and Justin Nelson rushed for 102 yards. Chris Vollmer was in on 13 total tackles.

Slow Start Stops Tigers (10/29/05) The Tigers fell behind 17-0 in the first 19 minutes of the game and fell to Concordia University 23-10 on Saturday afternoon. Highlighting the offense were receivers Michael Pleas and Matt Barth. Pleas had six catches for 134 yards and one touchdown and Barth had two catches for 89 yards. Jordan Crawford led the defense with 12 total tackles. Concordia was able to take control of the second half by dominating the time of possession: 19:22 to 10:38 while having an average field postion of their own 41 yard line.

Game Day #8: Tigers Set for Concordia (10/29/05) The Tiger entertain Concordia University today with a lot on the line for both teams. In what has been a down year so far for both teams, they enter the game at 1-6 overall and 1-6 in the GPAC, the winner looks to build some momentum heading into the final games of the season. The Tigers will rely on a strong defensive effort and their running game which is led by junior Justin Nelson. Nelson is currently fourth in the GPAC in rushing yards per game with 124.7 yards a game. Jordan Crawford leads the GPAC in tackles with 9.4 per game.

Tigers Fall in Overtime (10/8/05) Doane and Nebraska Wesleyan played a classic Saturday afternoon, unfortunately NWU came out on top in overtime 19-12. The Tigers got the scoring started on the day with a three yard pass from JR Artozqui to Michael Stutzman. The extra point attempt was blocked and returned by NWU for a two-point conversion. NWU rounded out the first quarter scoring with a 32 yard field goal.

Wesleyan scored the next seven points on a Cody Hoegh touchdown run from six yards out. The Tigers bounced back with a one yard touchdown run from Artozqui, but again the extra point attempt was blocked. The two teams went into halftime tied 12-12.

There was no scoring in the second half of play and in overtime, Hoegh scored on NWU's first possession with a 13 yard run. On the Tigers first play in overtime, Artozqui was intercepted by a diving Josh Strehle.

The Tiger defense played big, allowing only 214 yards of total offense. Jordan Crawford collected 12 tackles while Will Sadowski (pictured at right) had eight tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
 

Morningside 49-Doane 7 (9/24/05) - Omaha World Herald article
Catch Highlights of today's game on
KETV Ch. 7 (Omaha)
KOLN Ch. 10 (Lincoln) (game highlights currently available under 'Featured Video')
KLKN Ch. 8 (Lincoln)

Crawford Named GPAC Defensive Player-of-the-Week (9/19/05) Doane linebacker Jordan Crawford is this week's GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Football Defensive Player-of-the-Week. Crawford, a senior from Arapahoe, Nebraska, totaled seven solo and ten assist tackles in Doane's 16-10 win at Northwestern. He had two tackles for loss, both of which happened on back-to-back plays in the fourth quarter after Northwestern had gotten to the Doane one yard line and did not score. The Tiger defense held the Red Raider offense to 232 total yards of offense. Tommie Frazier picked his first career win at Doane College (1-2). (GPAC Release)
 

Tigers Grab Win No. 1 on Season (9/17/05)  The Doane Tigers (1-2 overall, 1-2 GPAC) picked up their first win of the season Saturday evening in Orange City, Iowa, defeating Northwestern College 16-10.  The Tigers trailed 8-3 at the half.  The Tigers scoring in the first half was a field goal by Justin Bailey after an interception by linebacker Simon Mitchell on Northwestern's first possession of the game.  Northwestern picked up their first points of the game when Doane was called for intentional grounding in the end zone.  NWC later got a touchdown but missed the two-point conversion to close out the first half scoring.

The Tigers started the scoring in the second half with a two-yard touchdown run by back-up quarterback Pat Spangler to put Doane up 10-8.  Spangler again capped the Tigers' final scoring drive with a nine-yard run but the extra point was blocked leaving Doane with a one-possession lead at 16-8.  Northwestern marched down the field on their next drive and got to the Tiger one yard line.  The Doane defense, which had been proned to giving up big plays in their first two games of the season, came up big and stopped Northwestern on four downs, pushing the Red Raiders back six yards before the change of possession.  The Tiger offense, however, made another mistake by getting called for intentional grounding in the end zone for the second time in the game making the score 16-10.  Northwestern returned the Doane kickoff after the safety for a touchdown, but were called for holding that nullified the Red Raider touchdown.  The Tigers defense was called on once again to make a big play as Northwestern was going in for the winning touchdown.  On Northwestern's last two possessions, defensive backs Logan Papik and Will Sadowski intercepted NWC quarterback Craig Hector in Doane territory to seal the victory. Jordan Crawford led the Tiger defense with 17 total tackles (7 solo, 10 assisted)

The victory marked the first win for Tiger Head Coach Tommie Frazier (pictured above with quarterback JR Artozqui). 

Quotes from Coach Frazier
When asked about the game:
"I'm proud of the kids with the way they came out and played hard.  The defense brought home the win." 

About the team's injuries that saw some players out at the end of the game:
"It was a h ard hitting and hard fought game by both teams which led to many bumps and bruises."

About the trip home and next game:
"There definitely won't be any sleeping on the bus trip back, we're going to have fun with this victory.  We have our work cut out next week (No. 7 Morningside comes to Crete) but we are going to get prepared and play hard once again."

Rogge Sets Record as Tigers Drop Home Opener (9/10/05) Midland Lutheran used big plays at the right time to pull away with a 38-29 victory in Crete on Saturday. The Tigers and Warriors combined for 945 total offensive yards in the game. The Warriors jumped out early with a 25 yard run by Dustin Lindstrom to put MLC up 7-0. Midland then blocked a Tiger punt attempt and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown to go up 14-0. The Tigers bounced back with a 12 play, 80 yard drive capped with a one yard touchdown by JR Artozqui.

The second quarter went back and forth before MLC scored on a 38 yard run by Lindstrom to go up 21-7. Doane came right back, scoring 45 seconds later on a Artozqui to Mark Rogge 63 yard pass to make the score 21-14 in favor of MLC.

The third quarter was much like the second where the two teams exchanged possessions until Jeff Luebbe capped a 7 play, 79 yard drive with a two yard catch from Artozqui. The Tigers were tied 21-21 only to have Midland Lutheran, on their very first play of their next drive, convert a 77 yard touchdown pass to take the lead for good. Casey Nuss hit Blake Fuchtman to put MLC up 28-21 with six seconds left in the third quarter.

The Tigers next drive ended on a failed fourth down attempt and MLC went 61 yards for another Nuss to Fuchtman touchdown. MLC kicker Zac Gradoville finished the Midland scoring with a 25 yard field goal. The Tiger's scoring ended with a 22 yard Artozqui to Robbie Trent pass. The Tigers point after attempt was blocked, but Michael Stutzman recovered it and took it into the end zone for a two-point conversion to make the final score 38-29 Midland.

With the offense dominating the game, many individual performances stood out. Mark Rogge had the most notable performance as he had 11 receptions for 206 yards, a new single game receiving record. The old record of 201 was set by Shannon Smith in 1992 against Hastings College. Freshman JR Artozqui threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns and also converted a rushing touchdown. MLC's Lindstrom averaged 10.4 yards per carry on way to 228 rushing yards and two touchdowns. MLC defensive lineman Mike Bayer was in on nine tackles, including 4.5 sacks, a blocked punt, and a fumble recover.
 

Football Returns Home Saturday (9/9/05) The Tigers will open their home slate on Saturday at 1:00 pm when they play host to Midland Lutheran College. Both teams enter the game with a 0-1 record. The Tigers dropped a nail biting 23-30 game to the Dana Vikings while Midland Lutheran fell 18-48 to Morningside College.

The Tigers were led offensively last week by junior Justin Nelson. Nelson collected 192 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman JR Artozqui led the Tiger passing attack with 106 yards through the air. Defensively, sophomore defensive end Matt Sexton led the Tigers with two interceptions, a forced fumble, another fumble recovered and returned for a two-point extra point, and six tackles. Senior Jordan Crawford led the team with seven solo tackles and four assisted tackles. He also had 3.5 tackles for loss and an interception.

The Warriors were led by Dustin Lindstrom's 101 yards rushing. Kicker Zac Gradoville converted two field goals. The defense was led by Rickie Keller's six tackles and one interception. The Warrior defense gave up a Morningside school record 471 yards passing by GPAC Offensive Player-of-the-Week Craig Fobbe.

Doane's Simon Field at Memorial Stadium hold 2,250 fans and a large crowd is expected for the home opener. Doane will also have portable bleachers in the end zone for extra seating. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students, 5 & under are free.

Monday Morning Quarterback - Lincoln Journal Star (9/5/05)

Lincoln Journal Star Story on Doane/Dana Football (9/3/05) - by Ken Hambleton ('72)
He paced the sidelines like a big cat.

He debated a call like a senator.

He took a narrow defeat with a smile and a promise to improve.

Former Nebraska quarterback great and fan favorite Tommie Frazier, in his first game as head coach at Doane College, could only watch as his freshman quarterback J.R. Artozqui tried to follow his center on fourth down and 1 with 43 seconds left in the game. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE STORY
 

Associated Press Story on Tiger Football (8/12/05) Tommie Frazier knows all about big-time college football. Now he's getting a quick education on the small time.

In his cramped, concrete-walled office at 1,000-student Doane College, Frazier spends the last few days before preseason practice lining up housing for his players, going over menus with the food service people, and hashing out travel itineraries. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE STORY (pdf format)
 

Argus Leader (SD) Story from GPAC Football Media Day (8/9/05 - pdf format)
 

Doane Picked Tenth in Pre-season GPAC Coaches Poll (8/8/05) The Tigers will enter the 2005 season with little expectations, at least according to the GPAC coaches. The Tigers were picked to finish tenth this season in the GPAC, just above Dakota Wesleyan University. The GPAC Media Day kicked off with each coach talking briefly about their program.

Some of the coaches joked back and forth about their opening games and what new tricks each team would have. The Tigers will be traveling to Dana College to open the season and according to head coach Bill Danenhauer (pictured below), the Vikings will have a new look in 2005. "Since Tommie has joined the conference we thought we could welcome him in by going to the wishbone offense", which was followed up by "I don't believe it" by coach Frazier and "I wouldn't either" by coach Danenhauer. The Vikings return the NAIA's leading passer in Tom Lensch, who passed for 297 yards per game.

Coach Frazier spoke about the positives of having a lot of starters returning this season. He spoke of Jeff Luebbe & Mark Rogge on offense and Jordan Crawford and Joe Radke on defense, among others that are returning. "We are going to challenge our team to take it to the next level," Frazier commented as he closed his speech. (Pictures taken by Kevin Hesser at University of Sioux Falls)

Below is the GPAC Coaches Poll for 2005, point total for each team, and first place votes:

GPAC Football Media Day Set for Monday, August 8, in Sioux Falls (Sioux City, IA) - The sixth annual Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Preseason Football Media Day will be held on Monday, August 8, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at C.J. Callaway's.

The media is welcome to a free lunch beginning at NOON at C.J. Callaway's. Starting at 1:00 pm the GPAC football coaches will address the media, followed by a question and answer period. The event will conclude with the release of the 2005 GPAC football preseason poll.

Frazier Named Doane College Head Football Coach (6/15/05) Doane College has selected Tommie Frazier as its 31st head football coach. Frazier is a former University of Nebraska All-America quarterback and Baylor assistant football coach.

Frazier, who is currently assistant director of athletic development at the University of Nebraska, was chosen from a pool of more than 70 candidates for the Doane position. Doane is a member of the NAIA and Great Plains Athletic Conference, and has one of the most successful athletics programs in the nation.

Frazier graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1996 with a degree in communication studies. The starting quarterback for the Nebraska Huskers for the 1994 and 1995 National Championship teams, Frazier played in four consecutive bowl games. He received numerous awards for his leadership and efforts, including the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year, the Orange Bowl Most Valuable Player of the Year in 1994 and 1995, and Sport magazine Top 10 player of the Century.

"Tommie is an excellent football coach who understands the role of student-athletes at a liberal arts college," President Fred Brown noted. "He has numerous contacts in the state and across the country, and he has a reputation as an extremely hard worker and an articulate spokesperson for college athletics."

At Baylor University, Frazier coached the running backs for four years, and helped develop play books, and coordinated offensive schemes, player development and recruiting. He also worked with football coaches throughout the region and nationally.

"His energy and enthusiasm for coaching and for developing the full student athlete is a terrific opportunity for our players and for the college," incoming president Jonathan Brand said. "He knows what successful football programs look like."

Frazier replaces Fran Schwenk, who served as head coach for 21 years, as well as athletic director for several years. Frazier will begin developing his coaching staff and working with the current students and new freshmen this summer, as well as begin recruiting for next year.

The Tigers' season begins Sept. 3 at Dana College , followed by Coach Frazier's home debut Sept. 10 against Midland Lutheran College. (Photo courtesy of Scott Bruhn - Nebraska Sports Information Office)

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