1993 and 1997 Football Teams Going into Doane Hall of Fame

Doane University Athletics will be inducting two teams into the Doane Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, September 29. The honor will be bestowed upon the 1993 and 1997 football teams who posted undefeated regular seasons and Nebraska-Iowa Athletic Conference (NIAC) championships.

Two of Doane's highest scoring seasons, behind those achieved by the undefeated teams of the late 60s, were accomplished by these squads. The 1993 team averaged 37.2 points per game while the 1997 team averaged 33.3 points per game. They also brought a stingy defense with the '93 team holding opponents to 13.7 points per game and the '97 team allowing 16.6 points per game.

The offense of the 1993 team ran through Brad McClatchey and his 2,863 passing yards - most all-time in a single season at Doane. He threw 29 touchdown passes (of the team's 30). Jeff Jochum finished with a team-leading 692 receiving yards. Joe Wilkins provided the punch out of the backfield, rushing for 1,096 yards. The team posted 2,138 rushing yards and 2,957 passing yards on the year.

The defense held their opponents to 282.1 yards per game. Brent Berner led the team with 86 tackles while Jason Maly and Mark Brahmer had 79 and 71 tackles, respectively. Greg Mach recorded a team-high six sacks on the season and Preston Renshaw pulled in seven interceptions for a defense that collected 30 on the year.

Balance was the key to the 1997 team that posted 2,219 passing yards and 2,121 rushing yards. Matt Reiling steered the ship as he threw for 2,186 yards and 18 touchdowns. His top target was Jeremy Pietig, as he collected 570 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The ground game was led by Troy Bothwell who ran for 1,522 yards, then a school record, and 16 touchdowns.

The squad had 55 takeaways on the defensive side of the ball, recovering 23 fumbles and intercepting 22 passes. Shawn Kelly paced the secondary with seven interceptions on the year. Jason Hall led the team with 124 tackles while Heath Staples and Dan Thurin finished with 95 and 92 tackles, respectively. Thurin notched a team-leading 11.0 sacks.

With success comes individual accolades and these teams were not short on the number of honors received. The 1993 squad had 28 all-conference selections, including 19 who received First or Second Team All-NIAC honors. Six players received NAIA All-American honors, led by Matt Franzen and Brahmer on the First Team. The 1997 team had 22 all-conference selections with 12 named to the First or Second Team of the NIAC. Once again, Doane placed six players on the NAIA All-American list with Chad Boyes named to the First Team.

A private gathering will be held on September 29 for the two teams at Doane. The teams will also be introduced at halftime of the Homecoming football game on September 30 against Morningside.