Junior Kelen Meyer punts ball downfield. He averaged 45.7 yards per punt.
Doane Football opened their 2024 season on their home field against Graceland University on Aug. 31, losing the game 11-49 and opening their season with a 0-1 record.
After Graceland took the opening position to the endzone, Doane responded quickly with a 40-yard kick return by freshman Andrew Brown. Following a succession of plays, freshman quarterback Sam Hartman brought Doane within one with a seven-yard run into the endzone. The Tigers made an aggressive play, going for two, and junior defensive-back Cade Wiseman took the ball to the endzone, giving Doane an early lead, 8-7.
However, despite Doane’s early offensive attack, Graceland kept their foot on the gas and continued to score, scoring 14 in the first quarter, 14 in the second quarter and 21 in the third quarter. The Doane offense was unable to match the pace of Graceland, who put up an astounding 638 total yards of offense, largely due to Graceland receiver Gerald Monroe, who finished with 16 receptions for 387 yards and five touchdowns. Monroe’s 387 yards marks a new NAIA single-game receiving yards record.
Doane was able to slightly close the gap with a field-goal from redshirt junior Kelen Meyer in the fourth quarter, which brought the score to 11-49. Doane ended the game with 159 yards of total offense, largely off of Hartman’s 114 passing yards and 47 rushing yards from junior James Mills III. The receiving yards leader for Doane was junior John DeRiso with 79. Doane also recorded two turnovers, an interception from junior linebacker Jarrett Boggs and an interception by senior Jaheim Fuller.
The Tigers will begin conference play in their conference opener. Doane will host Briar Cliff University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Crete.
