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CRETE, Neb. — In search of its first win of 2022, the Dakota Wesleyan football team built a 10-point halftime lead on the road, only to see it slip away in the second half.
Cruz Kirwan’s 52-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Joaquin Gutierrez gave Doane, which scored all its points after halftime, its first lead of the game and proved to be the game-winning score, as DWU fell 16-13.
DWU went ahead 7-0 late in the first quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run by Jamin Arend that punctuated a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Later in the second quarter, DWU was repelled on three straight goal-to-go plays from the 1-yard line and settled for an 18-yard Jaxon Patrick field goal.
Doane breached the scoreboard with a 45-yard field goal by Kelen Meyer on the first possession of the second half, which was answer by Patrick’s second successful try of the day from 34 yards out.
But that’s when Doane seized momentum. Jeremiah Payne took the ensuing kickoff back 91 yards for a touchdown.
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Before the quarter had expired, DWU was driving in Doane territory when a fumble halted the advance. Doane took over and, on the second play of the fourth quarter, Kirwan connected with Gutierrez for the game’s final score.
For the game, DWU outgained Doane 417 yards to 193, but three lost fumbles, two in the second, the last of which came in the red zone on the final drive.
In the passing game, Austin Lee and Connor Drake combined to go 18-of-29 with 246 yards, as Kiel Nelson was the leading receiver with five receptions for 80 yards. On the ground, Arend carried 29 times for 133 yards and the early touchdown.
For Doane (3-2, 3-2 GPAC), Kirwan was 5-for-11 passing for 92 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Adam Wasserman had 12 rushes for 73 yards.
DWU (0-7, 0-6 GPAC) returns home for a matchup with Briar Cliff at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Joe Quintal Field.
