Doane/NWU Top 10 Games
This week, to celebrate the Nebraska Wesleyan-Doane 100th football game in the long-standing rivalry, the schools athletic websites will feature the Top 10 games between the two programs. Each school selected five that stood out among the first 99 games played. One game for each school will be released each day this week with the top games being released on Friday.
On Saturday in Crete, the two teams will hook-up for the 100th time with Doane holding the smallest of leads in the all-time series, 47-46-6. Kickoff between the Prairie Wolves and Tigers is set for 1 pm at Al Papik Field.
Doane – No. 2 (1998, Doane 24-21)
Doane, coming off of a national semifinalist finish in 1997, entered the game 0-2 while NWU was unbeaten and 2-0 in the late September match-up. The Tigers scored the only points in the first half as they led 10-0 at the break. Doane took a 17-0 lead midway through the third quarter following an 11-play, 90-yard drive. However, the Plainsmen would score their first points with 17 seconds remaining in the third quarter on a four-yard pass. The Tigers fumbled the kickoff which gave NWU possession at the 15-yard line. On the first play of the 4th quarter, a 15-yard run by Kuehn cut the Doane lead to 17-14. NWU's defense stifled the Tigers early in the fourth which set-up a go-ahead score by Kuehn. He raced in from 22-yards out with 5:29 remaining to give the Plainsmen a 21-17 lead. Doane had one last push left in them and it came from behind the offensive line. Doane took over at their 20-yard line and marched nine plays, covering 79 yards (65 yards on the ground). On fourth and goal with 1:24 remaining, Scott Kennedy busted through for a touchdown as the Tigers won 24-21.
Nebraska Wesleyan – No. 2 (1992, NWU 16-14)
A battle of two nationally-ranked opponents had #24 Nebraska Wesleyan visiting Crete to take on a 15th-ranked Doane team that had not lost a NIAC contest, coming in 3-0 in front of a full house at Simon Field. Doane was looking to snap their seven-game losing streak to the Plainsmen and went ahead 14-10 with 9:15 to play in the game on a 51-yard TD pass. The Plainsmen offense responded and went 72 yards in seven plays to retake the lead. Casey Head scored on a 2-yard TD run with 6:17 remaining but the extra point was blocked making the score 16-14. Doane had their chance for the win as they drove to the 19-yard line and a 3rd down pass in the end zone was deflected by Brad Winterstein. A 37-yard field goal with 1:39 left in the game was no good as NWU improved to 4-2 on the season with the big road win.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Doane – 2001
Both teams were nationally ranked as the Tigers won 24-16. Doane's defense forced six turnovers in the game.
Doane – 1968
Arguably Doane's best football team, they recorded the largest margin of victory in the series, 77-6. The defense allowed 54 yards in total offense and Mike Sallier scored a school record five touchdowns.
NWU – 1911
Nebraska Wesleyan shutout Doane 6-0 on their way to earning their first conference championship. Led by Guy Chamberlain, the NWU football team did not allow a point in five of seven games, including the 6-0 win at Doane, to earn the Nebraska Conference championship
NWU – 1962
NWU continued its football resurgence with a 13-0 victory over Doane at Simon Field. The Plainsman got a 1st quarter TD run, then Willie Wiesbrook kicked two 3rd quarter field goals as NWU sealed the win on their way to a Great Plains College Association title.