The William Jewell College football team lost 23-12 to Doane University in the 2016 home opener on Saturday at Greene Stadium in Liberty, Mo.  Jewell falls to 0-2 on the season while the Tigers improve to 2-0. 

The game started with a quick three and out for the Cardinal offense and Doane drove 28 yards in seven plays and kicked a 43 yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. 

Jewell tied things up on their next possession as they drove 65 yards on 11 plays capped off by a 22-yard field goal from Brandon Womack. 

After stopping the Tigers on their next drive, the Cardinals suffered a big loss.  Transfer quarterback Brad Strauss was sacked on third and 10 and came off the field limping.  Strauss did not return to the game and the Cards had trouble moving the ball after he left. 

Jewell's defense rose to the occasion on Doane's next possession when Parker Wood picked off the Tigers' Jack Shadley to set the Cards up in outstanding field position at the Doane 11 yard line.  Unable to punch it in the end zone Womack again came through and nailed a 35 yarder to give Jewell a 6-3 lead. 

Two drives later, Jewell was again the recipient of great field position as Doane's punter shanked a punt so set the Cardinals up at the Doane 29.  After a five-yard penalty, backup quarterback Jared Hobby floated a beautiful pass to Drake Hofer who timed his dive perfectly to give Jewell their only touchdown of the game.  The point after attempt was blocked and the Cards led 12-3. 

The Tigers turned to the ground game on the ensuing drive and gashed the Cards for 46 yards on 9 plays and kicked a 37-yard field goal to cut Jewell's lead 12-6 and that was the score as both teams entered halftime. 

Doane received the opening kickoff of the half and returned it 50 yards to the Cardinal 45.  Six plays later running back Nate Meier found the end zone from 12-yards out and with the point after the Tigers found themselves up 13-12. 

Two drives later, the Cards inserted sophomore Collin Rugg at quarterback to try and provide a spark.  With 2:40 to play in the third quarter the Cardinals missed a golden opportunity.  Facing third and 10 receivers Anthony Mullins broke away from his defender but Rugg's pass was slightly overthrown on what would have been a long touchdown. 

Jewell's defense did a great job stopping Doane on their next three possessions only to be the victim of a costly turnover.  Quarterback Jack Shadley punted for the tigers on fourth down and the punt went off the shoulder pads of Bulla Graft and Doane recovered the ball at the Cardinal five yard line.  Shadley then ran it in on the next play to give the Tigers a 20-12 lead. 

Jewell went three and out on their next two drives and Doane tacked on a 31-yard field goal with 3:29 to play that put the game out of reach.

Meier finished the game with 120 yards rushing for Doane while Jewell's Darmarcus Robinson finished with 45 yards on the ground. 

The Cards defense held Doane to 314 total yards and had two sacks and one interception.

William Jewell will open Great Lakes Valley Conference play next week as they host Saint Joseph's College at 12:00 p.m. in Greene Stadium.