Football Drops Tight Road Contest in Sioux City

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Despite piling up nearly 400 yards of total offense, Doane came up just short on the road Saturday afternoon, falling 28–21 to Briar Cliff at Memorial Field.

Quarterback Sam Hartman fueled the Tigers' attack, completing 21 of 39 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns while adding 40 yards rushing. His favorite target, John DeRiso, turned in a career day — hauling in nine passes for 172 yards and all three of Doane's touchdowns, including a 26-yard strike with 41 seconds remaining that pulled the Tigers within one score. His 172 yards sits as sixth-most in a single game on the Doane record books.

Doane's offense was balanced throughout, collecting 125 rushing yards and 272 through the air while converting 6-of-11 third- and fourth-down attempts. Running back Blake Allen led the ground game with 74 yards on 14 carries.

Defensively, Tanner Simdorn and Reece Zutavern each notched nine tackles to pace the Tigers, while Simdorn also recorded a sack, forced fumble, and recovery to go with a blocked field goal attempt. The defense limited Briar Cliff to just 63 rushing yards on 31 attempts and held the Chargers to a single offensive touchdown through the first half.

Briar Cliff capitalized on a pair of fourth-quarter turnovers — including a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown — to pull ahead 28–14 before DeRiso's late score made it a one-possession game.

With the loss, Doane falls to 1–6 overall and in GPAC play. The Tigers return home next Saturday to host Morningside at Memorial Stadium/Papik Field.

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