Doane falls to Hastings as comeback comes up short

HASTINGS, NE — In the 121st meeting between the Doane Tigers and Hastings Broncos, the contest would come down to the final minute. 

The first half was dominated by defense, with the only score coming on a 16-yard run by Antoine Murphy for Hastings College. The Broncos led at the break 7-0. 

Doane had a promising drive in the first quarter that spanned over 60 yards and took over 7 minutes off the clock, but a field goal attempt into the wind from 42-yards was missed. 

In the second half, Doane did convert a field goal on its first possession to cut the Hastings lead to 7-3. 

Toward the end of the third quarter, Hastings QB John Zamora connected with Courtney Lane for a 59-yard touchdown pass, pushing the score to 14-3. 

The Tigers offense struggled to get down the field in the fourth until late, punting on its first three drives of the final period with two three an outs. With just over 3 minutes left, though a quick 4-play 55-yard drive ended with freshman QB Cruz Kirwan hitting wideout Colby Frazier for a 25-yard score. Doane went for two, but couldn't convert brining the score to 14-9. 

Doane was out of timeouts, but the Tigers defense forced a three-and-out from Hastings, giving Doane one final chance with 41 seconds left. 

The Tigers though were unable to move the ball down the field as Hastings took home the 14-9 win, beating Doane for the first time since 2018. 

Kirwan finished 17-38 for 198 yards and a touchdown in his first start behind center for Doane. Adam Wasserman led the Tigers ground game with 43 yards on 16 carries. 

For Hastings, Zamora was 19-32 passing for 246 yards and one touchdown. 

Also of note, Doane freshman kicker/punter Kelen Meyer set a new school record with an 86-yard punt in the second quarter. Punting from their own 11-yard line, Meyer kicked away a ball that didn't land until hitting the Hastings 14-yard line before rolling down to the 3-yard line where it was downed. 

The previous record was held by Josh Warren, who had an 83-yard punt against Sioux Falls in 2007.

Six games into the season, Meyer now holds Doane school records for longest field goal (54 yards) and punt. He's also tied the school record for most field goals in a game, hitting four in the Tigers win against Concordia. 

After today, the all-time series between the two teams stands at 57-54-10 in favor of Doane. 

Next week, Doane (3-3) returns home to Crete to face the fourth-ranked Northwestern Red Raiders. 

Hastings (6-2) travels to North Dakota to play the Jamestown Jimmies next week. 

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