The Sower Logo

Home Sports Concordia Football Falls in Overtime

by Garrett Suchanek

 

Third-string quarterback sophomore Riley Wiltfong put No. 23 Concordia football team in a position to upend undefeated No. 6 Doane, but a costly turnover sealed the Bulldogs’ 20-23 fate in overtime at home Saturday afternoon.

Injuries to both the first and second-string quarterbacks forced Concordia to look to Wiltfong to make his first career start.

On Concordia’s opening possession, Wiltfong threw an interception, which resulted in three points for the Tigers.

After a couple of possessions, Wiltfong settled in.

Late in the first quarter, Wiltfong connected with sophomore Jared Garcia for a 64-yard touchdown pass to give Concordia a 6-3 lead.

Both teams went back and forth forcing punts for most of the second quarter.

However, with about five minutes left, Doane lined up for a punt. Concordia’s senior linebacker Tait Sibbel got to the punter and blocked the punt. While the ball was still live, sophomore Tarence Roby scooped it up and ran it back for a touchdown to extend the Bulldog lead to 13-3.

After a punt by both teams, Doane took over with 59 seconds left in the first half.

Doane’s Brandon Stuart connected with Drew Klein on the opening play of the drive for 38 yards to put the Tigers in business.

After moving the ball down the field and using good clock management, the Tigers were able to strike right before half.

Stuart found Holden Wetzler for a 9-yard touchdown pass to cut the Bulldog lead to 13-10.

To start the second half, Doane received the kickoff and took the half’s opening possession down the field and put points on the board.

Stuart found Jacob Cornelius for a catch and run of 55 yards into the end zone to give the Tigers a 17-13 lead.

The rest of the third quarter was quiet until Doane tacked on a field goal with 44 seconds left in the quarter to make it a 20-13 game.

On Concordia’s second possession of the fourth quarter, Wiltfong threw for his second touchdown of the game.

Wiltfong found Garcia streaking down the sideline. Garcia hauled in the pass and cruised down the field for a 67-yard touchdown to tie the game at 20.

As the game continued to wind down, Concordia had an opportunity for points and the lead. The Bulldogs moved the ball down the field with a combination of running, throwing and defensive penalties by Doane.

Concordia had a third and goal from the two-yard line and ran it down to the one-yard line, bringing up fourth down.

On fourth down, Wiltfong tried sneaking it in the end zone, but was stuffed by the Tiger defense.

Doane moved the ball out from the one-yard line all the way down to the Bulldog 34-yard line with six seconds left. The Tigers’ 51-yard field goal attempt fell short and the game went to overtime.

In overtime, the Bulldogs played defense first. Concordia’s defense came up big with a three-and-out to force a successful 40-yard field goal attempt.

Wiltfong and company took the field knowing that the Bulldogs needed at least a field goal to keep the game going.

In the first two plays, Concordia moved the ball to the Tiger 15.

On the next two plays Wiltfong was tackled in the backfield, which forced a third-and-thirteen.

On third and long, Wiltfong dropped back and heaved the ball to the corner of the end zone towards Garcia, but the result wasn’t what Concordia wanted. Doane’s Tyler Chapa came down with the ball and ended Concordia’s hopes of winning.

Despite throwing two interceptions on the day, Wiltfong had impressive numbers. Wiltfong finished with 15 yards on 10 carries and went 17 of 27 for 261 yards through the air.

Junior Bryce Collins led the way on the ground for Concordia as he finished with 56 yards on 18 carries.

Garcia led all receivers with 192 yards on six catches and had a pair of touchdowns.

The loss drops the Bulldogs to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in GPAC.

The Bulldogs look to bounce back when they host No. 3 Morningside at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Please leave a reply. Your comment will be reviewed by the Sower editors before posting.