September 2, 2006

The Dana Vikings started off the 2006 football season with a 10-7 victory at Doane on Saturday, primarily relying on the defense to earn a hard-fought win.  The Viking defense held the Tigers to only seven points and a measly four first downs while also causing two turnovers.  Senior linebacker Shaun O’Connell (Omaha, NE) led the Vikings in tackles with 7.5 stops including a sack.  Senior defensive tackle Ryan Hoden (Council Bluffs, IA) had five tackles.  Also, junior Terrance McClean (San Antonio, TX) had four total tackles, a sack, and forced a fumble.

With the score 10-7 and less than three minutes remaining in the game and the Tigers at the Dana 4 yard line, the Viking defense came up with a key third and goal stop which then led to a missed Doane field goal on fourth down.  After a three and out by the Dana offense and a booming punt by the Vikings’ Mitch Bowhay (Bellevue, NE), the Viking defense once again held, preventing the Tigers from getting a first down and sealing the win.

Dana struggled all day on offense only tallying nine first downs.  The Vikings were led in rushing by senior Matt Neesen (Omaha, NE) who had 22 carries for 69 yards.  Viking quarterback Marcus Sladek was 13 for 22 passing with one touchdown and one interception.

Trailing 7-0 in the third quarter the Vikings got on the scoreboard with a Rick Lebeda (Omaha, NE) 45 yard field goal.  The lone touchdown for the Vikings took place in the fourth quarter on a four yard pass from quarterback Sladek to receiver Javon Bell (Miami, FL).

Dana (1-0) will host Nebraska Wesleyan (1-0) next Saturday, September 9, at 1:00 PM.

For more information, contact:


Shad Beam, sports information director, (402) 426-7389, sbeam@dana.edu

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Scott Guzinski, assistant Sports Information Director, (402) 426-7949, sguzinsk@dana.edu