Football Picked Eighth by GPAC Coaches

The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) released the 2025 Preseason Football Coaches' Poll on Tuesday. Morningside was chosen to repeat as conference champions. Doane was selected eighth with 35 points. The votes show the Mustangs, along with Northwestern and Dordt, as the top three projected teams this season. Concordia, Midland, and Mount Marty hold down the middle portion of the conference with 10 points seperating fourth through sixth. The next tier includes Hastings, the Tigers, and Dakota Wesleyan with 11 points seperating seventh through ninth. Briar Cliff and Waldorf round out the poll.

The Tigers finished with a 3-8 record last year, going 3-7 in GPAC play and winning two of their final three games. The season will begin under the lights on August 30 at home against Hastings, marking the 124th all-time meeting - the longest-running rivalry in the state.

Doane University Tigers – 2024 Season Review & Notes

Overall Record: 3-8
Conference Record: 3-7
Home: 1-5 | Away: 2-3 | Neutral: 0-0

Team Overview

The Tigers finished the 2024 NAIA campaign with three wins, showing flashes of offensive potential but struggling with consistency. Doane averaged 87.7 rushing yards and 182.5 passing yards per game, scoring 18 total touchdowns through the air and on the ground. Defensively, the Tigers forced 4 interceptions, recovered 6 fumbles, and recorded 23 sacks.

Offensive Leaders

• Passing: The team completed 172 of 314 passes for 2,007 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

  • Sam Hartman – 162 of 286 passes, 1,932 yards, 12 TDS, 8 INTs, long of 68 yards

• Receiving:

  • Darnell Riley – 42 catches, 494 yards, 2 TDs, long of 56 yards.

  • John DeRiso – 39 catches, 457 yards, 1 TD, long of 44 yards.

  • Andrew Waido – 27 catches, 369 yards, 3 TDs, long of 54 yards.

• Rushing:

  • Team totaled 965 net rushing yards on 375 attempts (2.6 YPC), 6 touchdowns.

  • Rian Green - 89 rushes, 435 yards, 1 TD, long of 49 yards

Special Teams Highlights

• Punting: Kelen Meyer - 69 punts for 3,055 yards, 28 inside the 20-yard line, with a long of 56 yards.

• Kick Returns: Andrew Brown – 23 returns, 493 yards (long 45).

• Field Goals: Kelen Meyer - 8 made on 15 attempts, long of 40 yards.

• Perfect PAT kicking – 14-for-14.

Defensive Standouts

• Jarett Boggs - 86 tackles, 9 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery.

• Andrew Brown – 55 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakup.

• Reece Zutavern – 68 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks.

• Tanner Simdorn – 73 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery.

• Cooper Hancock – 50 tackles, 3 TFL.

Team Statistical Comparison

Key Storylines Heading Into 2025

• Developing a more balanced attack after posting below 100 yards rushing per game.

• Building on young defensive talent—several sophomores and juniors made significant contributions.

• Carry over momentum from 2024 finish of winning two of the final three games.

Players in italics graduated

(release partially constructed utilizing ChatGPT)