College Fanz Sports Network

McKendree University and Ottawa University to Face-off in the Nightcap of the First Down Classic

Thu, Apr 16, 2009 - Viewed 1003 times

Grand Island, Neb. – McKendree University and Ottawa University will meet on August 29th to kickoff their football seasons in the College Fanz Sports Network "First Down Classic" in Platte City, Mo. The game will mark the first-ever meeting between the Bearcats and the Braves as well as the completion of the first ever double header in the "First Down Classic."

"We are very excited for this game to come," said Jason Dannelly, Director of NAIA Relations for the College Fanz Sports Network. "Not only is it a historic game but it will be an extremely entertaining game between two very well coached programs."

The McKendree Bearcats won their final three games of 2008 and finished 6-4. Head coach Carl Poelker enters his 28th season as a college head coach and 14th season with the Bearcats. During his tenure at McKendree, Poelker has led the Bearcats to a 94-41 overall record and seven NAIA playoff appearances in a span of 12 years. McKendree made five consecutive trips to the NAIA post-season from 2001-05. Under Poelker's leadership, McKendree has amassed 71 victories over the last nine years.

The Tigers return to defend their title.

Grand Island, Nebraska – February 16, 2009 – The defending champion of the "First Down Classic" will return this year to Platte City, Missouri for the third annual "First Down Classic," presented by College Fanz Sports Network on Saturday, August 29, 2009.

The Doane College Tigers will be back to face the Avila University Eagles in this kickoff to the NAIA football season. Game time is tentatively set for 1 p.m. Central Time at Platte County R3 High School's Pirate Stadium.

Doane is coached by Matt Franzen, a Tigers alumnus who will enter his third season as head coach of the Tigers. Avila head coach Bruce Young will be starting his fifth season leading the Eagles. He is no stranger to pre-season, featured games as he has coached in the NAIA's Wheat Bowl several times while at Avila and Baker University.

Jaremy Puthoff of Doane

Tiger kicker finishes 3-for-3 on field goals to earn player-of-the-game honors
PLATTE CITY, Mo. – Dustin Groteluschen's 47-yard field goal gave Doane College a three-point lead as time expired, sending the Tigers past William Jewell College 15-12 in the Second-Annual Victory Sports Network First Down Classic at Platte County High School in Platte City, Mo.

Jewell (0-1) had tied the game just minutes earlier, as Jerail Johnson went 77 yards on a catch-and-run from Drew Whitman, but Doane blocked the point-after attempt after a penalty pushed the Cardinal kicker back past the 10-yard-line to keep the game tied, 12-12, with less than two minutes to play.

Whitman threw for 289 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals, while Jaremy Puthoff ran for 81 yards for Doane, but it was Groteluschen – the game's offensive player-of-the-game – who was the Tiger hero, hitting 3-for-3 on field goals of 25-, 34- and 47-yards.

Platte City, Mo.- The City of Platte City honored the Victory Sports Network today as they declared August 30, 2008 "Victory Sports Network Day".

Mayor Frank D. Offutt declared, "The Victory Sports Network has proven a valued asset to the citizens of Platte City and I wish to do the same."

The Victory Sports Network has hosted four football games in Platte City starting with the VSN "Senior Classic" in 2007.

"I am very happy to have the support of Platte City," said Jason Dannelly. "The community has really rallied around the games we bring to town."

This Saturday VSN hosts William Jewell and Doane College in the "First Down Classic" at Platte City's Pirate Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 with tailgate parties starting around 4:30.

Aug 30th - 7:00 Kickoff

by SJ Munoz - VSN Staff
Pick your favorite storyline for the upcoming VSN "First Down Classic."

Coach and player will meet as opponents for the first time as Doane College faces William Jewell in the Victory Sports Network's "First Down Classic," August 30^th, in Platte City, Mo.

William Jewell Head Coach Fran Schwenk, recruited and coached Doane alum and 2^nd year Tiger head coach Matt Franzen.

On top of that, alumni from the football programs from both schools will come together to finally "break the tie". In 1967, Doane and William Jewell played to a 14-14 tie in the Mineral Water Bowl. The tie was the only blemish on both teams records as the Tigers and Cardinals finished the season without a loss.

Grand Island, Neb. – When fans make their way to the Victory Sports Network's "First Down Classic" on August 30^th they will have plenty of atmosphere to soak in prior to the game.

Both schools alumni groups have announced they will be providing a tailgate party in Platte City, Mo. for their fans, alumni and supporters.

William Jewell's tailgate will be located on the north end of Platte County R3 High School's parking lot at 4:30. Cardinal faithful and supporters can contact Dr. Jim Redd for more details at 816-415-5943.

Doane College's pregame tailgate will begin at 5 o'clock at PC R3's covered shelter located between the baseball and softball fields just south of the football stadium. Tiger fans who would like more information can contact Cody Vance at 402 826-8549.

Grand Island, Neb. – It will be the mentor versus the student, the coach versus the player in this year’s Victory Sports Network’s “First Down Classic” on August 30^th. Doane College of Crete, Neb. will travel to Platte City, Mo. to take on William Jewell of Liberty, Mo. in a game that will feature two coaches that know each other quite well.

The Doane College Tigers are coached by alum Matt Franzen who will enter his second season as head coach of the Tigers while the William Jewell Cardinals feature Fran Schwenk as their head coach. Schwenk is the former head coach of Doane College and recruited Franzen. Franzen earned All-American honors as an offensive lineman in 1993 while Schwenk was his coach. The Tigers also advanced to the NAIA Championship Series that season.

Kickoff is tentatively set for 7:00 p.m. CST at Platte County R3 High School’s Pirate Stadium.

APU's Peltier dragged down by MNU

Schneider throws for 374 in season-opening Pioneer win

PLATTE CITY, Mo. – Matt Schneider threw for 382 yards on 22-of-33 passing with 4 scores, leading MidAmerica Nazarene to a 59-38 win over Azusa Pacific in the Victory Sports Network First Down Classic Saturday in Platte City, Mo.

MidAmerica (1-0) out gained Azusa (0-1) 605-382 in the game including 303-132 in the first half. Pat Ealy carried 27 times for the Pioneers to cover 173 yards and two touchdowns, while LaDrew Murrell hauled in four balls for 153 yards and two scores for MNU.

Edward Hawkins put the Pioneers on the board eight seconds into the game, scooping up a fumble on the opening kick inside the 15 and skirting across the goal line to put MNU up 7-0.