Franzen Named GPAC Coach-of-the-Year
The 2014 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) All-Conference teams have been release for football with 16 Tigers recognized for their accomplishments on the field this year. In addition to the player honors, Doane Head Coach Matt Franzen was named the GPAC Coach-of-the-Year after guiding the team to a 7-3 record. It is his first GPAC Coach-of-the-Year honor.
Earning First Team All-GPAC honors on defense was Garrett Borcher (JR/Pawnee City, Neb.). The Tigers placed seven players on the Second Team All-GPAC list and eight as honorable mention selections.
Borcher ranked 24th in the NAIA in tackles per game with 9.6 as he totaled 45 solo and 51 assist tackles. He had 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks to go with one interception and one fumble recovery. The Tiger defense finished the regular season ranked fifth in the NAIA in sacks with 32.
Nate Meier (SO/Pierce, Neb.) was on the offensive side to receive Second Team honors. The running back posted 596 yards rushing, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and six touchdowns. He added 107 receiving yards and two scores.
Meier was joined by Blake Bunner (JR/Blue Hill, Neb.) who helped anchor the offensive line. Doane's rushing offense ranked 40th in the NAIA as they averaged 164.9 yards per game. The Tigers ranked 36th in scoring offense behind the line as the team averaged 28.8 points per game.
The Tigers received Second Team honors on the defense. Aaron Hanlin (SO/Pierce, Neb.) led the way on the defensive line as he ranked 14th in the NAIA in tackles for loss with 17.0 and 20th in sacks with 7.5 on the year. He recorded 54 total tackles, three forced fumbles with one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
Cory Valasek (SR/Spalding, Neb.) was also recognized on the defensive line as he recorded 41 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He had one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
Ben Muff (JR/Crete, Neb.) received recognition at defensive back, posting 50 total tackles. He had one tackle for loss and five pass break-ups. His biggest play of the year came in the regular season finale as he picked up his first interception of the season against No. 1 Morningside and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. The play helped him earn GPAC Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors.
On special teams, Clayton Moore (SR/Friend, Neb.) and Josh Boggs (SR/Fremont, Neb.) were honored on the Second Team. Moore averaged 29.0 yards on kickoff returns, ranking fifth in the NAIA. His longest return covered 85 yards and he recorded 348 total return yards. Boggs averaged 9.1 yards on punt returns this year, 19th in the NAIA. He had 200 total return yards with his longest return covering 24 yards.
Zach Reeves (SO/Central City, Neb.) received honorable mention on the offensive line. He joined Bunner on an offensive line that allowed eight sacks on the year, fifth best in the NAIA. Doane's passing offense accounted for 238.6 yards per game, ranking 23rd in the NAIA.
Two Doane receivers were recognized for their on-field accomplishments, both having big games against Morningside. Alex Trevino (SO/Mercedes, Texas) caught 22 passes for 663 yards and five touchdowns. He had a school-record 226 yards against Morningside. Nick Reed (SR/Syracuse, Neb.) picked up 29 receptions for 525 yards and three touchdowns. His final touchdown of the season set-up the game-winning two-point conversion against the Mustangs.
Jordan Pedersen (JR/Crete, Neb.) was a two-time GPAC Special Teams Player of the Week and received honorable mention All-GPAC. He averaged 37.1 yards per punt on 59 attempts with a long punt of 65 yards. He was 7-of-15 on field goal attempts and 30-of-35 on point after attempts, accounting for a team-high 51 points which was 36th in the NAIA for kickers.
Three linebackers received honorable mention honors. Andy Tatum (JR/Lincoln, Neb.) posted 47 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. Alex Thatch (JR/Aurora, Colo.) recorded 47 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one fumble recovery and two blocked kicks. Colten Mach (SO/Crete, Neb.) finished with 57 total tackles which included three tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Safety Cole Wiseman (FR/Sutton, Neb.) finished the year with 43 total tackles, one tackle for loss and three interceptions. He moved into a starting role midway through his freshman season.