The Dordt Defender football team never trailed and won a 33-22 decision in Seward, Nebraska on Saturday afternoon over Concordia. The Defenders improved to 3-0 this season and dropped Concordia to 3-2 in the process.
Box Score (PDF)
Dordt scored on its first drive of the game after the defense forced a Concordia punt.
Nick Wellen did the hoors with a six-yard drive to culminate the 15-play drive that covered 68 yards. Dordt threatened on its next possession too but a fumble at the Concordia three yard line kept the Defenders from adding to the early lead.
The Defenders added to the lead with the first of four
Stephen Leinen field goals, this one from 40 yards out with 7:43 left in the half to end a 10-play 62 yard drive.
The Bulldogs' next drive seemed to stall at midfield but on fourth and one the hosts' DJ McGarvie ran 48 yards to tighten the game at 10-7. Dordt's answer was a nine-play 79 yard drive that ended with
Kolson Kruse delivering to
Kaden Harken for a 17 yard touchdown pass with :43 left in the half. Dordt would have been content to go to the intermission with the 10 point lead but
Lucas Huttinga snared a pass over the middle on
Concordia's next possession and returned it to the Concordia six and Leinen knocked a 20 yard field goal through for a 20-7 halftime lead.
The defenses took over in the second half with Concordia threatening in the third period but Dordt's defense rose to the challenge and forced a turnover on downs and a fumble. The Defender offense struggled with moving the football and looked destined to punt the ball back for the second time of the third quarter. Dordt's
Blade Koons fielded the low snap and with Concordia's punt return team retreating, was able to run for a first down with a six yard carry. A
Nick Wellen run got the ball to midfield an two plays later
Keenan Valverde scored on a 55-yard run for a 27-7 Dordt lead.
Concordia's answer was swift as McGarvie found Austin Jablonski for a 74 yard pass as the receiver got behind the Dordt defense but a pair of
Stephen Leinen field goals from 48 and 38 yards put Dordt up by three scores and Concordia's touchdown with under a minute remaining made the game a 33-22 final.
THE NUMBERS
- Dordt gained 190 yards passing and 302 rushing and 492 overall.
- Concordia ran for 154 and passed for 222 for 376 overall. 122 of Concordia's yards came on the two long scoring plays.
Dordt Leaders
NEXT
Dordt will host Doane on Saturday, October 5
HIGHLIGHTS
