September 23, 2006

Blair, NE—Dana wide receiver Javon Bell (Miami, FL) became the Vikings career leader in receptions Saturday in Dana’s 51-17 loss to the #3 Sioux Falls Cougars.  Bell came into the game with 156 career receptions and needed six receptions to break the career mark of 161 set by Kevin Stull in 2001.  Bell caught his sixth pass early in the fourth quarter and finished the day with eight catches for 69 yards including a 35 yard touchdown reception from Marcus Sladek (Omaha, NE) late in the fourth quarter.

            The first half of the game was dominated by Sioux Falls who scored 28 points in the first quarter and 10 points in the second quarter.  The Cougars got on board just 2:07 into the game.  Following a failed attempt at a fake punt, Sioux Falls quarterback Chad Cavender hit wide receiver Dusty Hovorka on a 28 yard touchdown pass.  Cavender went on to throw two more touchdown passes in the half and finished the game 12 of 22 passing for 224 yards.  Sioux Falls running back Mike Dvoracek scored two first half touchdowns, and kicker Matt Lindgren made a 29 yard field goal to complete the first half scoring.

Trailing 44-0, Dana got on the scoreboard on the first play of the fourth quarter on a 32 yard Rick Lebeda (Omaha, NE) field goal that followed a fumbled punt return by the Cougars which was recovered by Dana’s Brandon Terry (Omaha, NE).  The Vikings scored two more times in the fourth quarter. Dana’s first touchdown came on a 2 yard run by Tyler Smith (Bellevue, NE) which capped a 94 yard drive. The final touchdown of the game came on the pass from Sladek to Bell with 0:48 remaining.

            Sladek finished the day 15 of 34 passing for 104 yards.  The Vikings were led in rushing by Smith who carried 10 times for 53 yards and senior Matt Neesen (Omaha, NE) who had 11 carries for 51 yards.  Wide receiver Albert Allen caught 3 passes for 25 yards on the afternoon.

            Defensively, Dana was led by senior defensive lineman Ryan Hoden (Council Bluffs, IA) who had 2 total tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss and the only sack of the game.  Mike Buchanen (Omaha, NE) had 6.5 tackles.  Linebacker Shaun O’Connell (Omaha, NE) had 5 total stops including 2 tackles for loss.  Vikings defensive back Shaun Roll (Gretna, NE) had three tackles and an interception.

            The loss dropped the Vikings record to 1-3.  Dana’s next contest is on Saturday, September 30, at Concordia.  Game time is 1:30 PM in Seward.

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