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2021 Dordt Football Record: 7-3

Season Overview

The Defender football program had their fourth season in a row of 7+ wins, establishing themselves on the national level. Dordt spent all but one week in the Top 25 of the NAIA Coaches' Poll and finished third in the conference standings.

Dordt opened the season with a combination of new faces and experienced talent in the lineup. Midland was the first opponent of the year, a team that won 25-24 on the final play of the game. The early adversity was a test for the Defenders, who then responded with a 61-10 win at Hastings the following week. It was a big game on the ground, as Dordt got 475 of their 738 total yards via the rush. Anthony Trojahn had a season-high 166 yards with two touchdowns.

Anthony Trojahn (JR; Berthoud, CO)

Winning Streak

Dordt used the offensive showcase at Hastings to then spark a five-game winning streak. The Defenders hosted Concordia in a 27-7 win and followed it up with another 27-7 win at Doane. Along with a 100-yard rushing performance for Josh Bush against Concordia, the defense only allowed 182 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers. Head Coach Joel Penner credited the defensive performance as a key to the win:

"Our defense was incredible today. We made plays and the adjustments we needed to move the ball and score. It was not our cleanest game but the game provided so much to learn from to keep improving."

The Defenders entered the bye week with a record of 3-1 after their game at Doane, where freshman quarterback Kade McDaniel threw for two touchdowns. It was an opportunity for the team to make early adjustments and recuperate from the opening weeks.

Kade McDaniel (FR; Gill, CO)

The Defenders continued their winning streak in a home contest against a first-year program in Mount Marty. Dordt won 63-21, as three touchdowns on the first three possessions of the second half set the tone for the offensive performance. Levi Jungling caught 11 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns. The next weekend, Dordt hosted Dakota Wesleyan for Defender Days, a game that the Defenders won 45-13. It was another positive overall day, as Dordt combined for 558 total yards, including 347 on the ground. Nathan Kabongo also picked off two passes in the win.

Deciding the GPAC

The Defenders entered the final two weekends of October in the midst of a battle for the GPAC Championship. With only one loss on the season, Dordt sat behind their next two opponents, Morningside and Northwestern, in the standings. The Defenders first traveled to Sioux City to face the Mustangs in a matchup with the defending conference champions. To start the second half, Dordt drove the ball down the field to take a 14-12 lead. Morningside answered with a 72-yard drive to regain the lead. The Defenders led by as much as nine points in the waning minutes, but Morningside fought back to win a close game.

"Our guys executed with precision and unbelievable effort. The next step for our program is finishing these tough ball games." - Coach Penner after the game

Dordt then went on the road against Northwestern, losing a 63-28 decision on the road. However, they would bounce back the following weekend on Senior Day versus Briar Cliff. The Defenders defeated the Chargers 58-0 in the first shutout of the season. The game saw plenty of playing time for the seniors and younger players on the team. The Dordt running backs found the end zone seven times, as Anthony Trojahn, Nick Wellen and Daniel Dickerson each had two touchdowns, and Josh Bush also scored.

Daniel Dickerson (FR; Jackson, MO)

Dordt completed their season at Jamestown, scoring a program-record 77 points. The Defenders limited Jamestown to just 235 total yards while picking up 677 of their own. Kade McDaniel threw for three touchdowns, Levi Jungling had all of a passing, receiving, and rushing touchdown, and the Defender rushers had seven touchdowns by seven different players. The win pushed Dordt to a record of 7-3, their fourth season in a row with seven wins or more.

All-Conference Selections

First Team

Levi Jungling (WR)

SR; Pella, IA

"In Levi's first college football play in 2017, he scored a touchdown. On his last college football play, he scored a touchdown as well. Levi will have records at Dordt that will be difficult to beat. His greatest legacy as a member of the Dordt football team will be his leadership. Levi was a world-class teammate who brought a winning attitude along with a spirit of humility."

Alex Huisman (OL)

SR; Pella, IA

"Alex embodies Industry Standard as much as any player on our team. His standard for excellent work shows up in his offensive line play, his academics, and in his faith. I believe Alex has All-American talent and his work ethic is even better."

Nathan Kabongo (CB)

SR; Plano, TX

"When we nominated Nathan for First-Team All-Conference you just hope that the coaches who vote understand his impact on the field. Shut-down corners have fewer stats than many others because offenses simply target him less. Nathan is a shut-down corner who has quite possibly developed into the best defensive back that's ever played at Dordt."

Second Team

Josh Bush (RB)

FR; Mariette, GA

"Josh had an extraordinary freshman season. He changed the way teams defended us with his speed on the edge. As Defender Nation continues to get to know Josh, they will find that his character is even more impressive than his speed."

Anthony Trojahn (RB)

JR; Berthoud, CO

"We are so proud of Anthony's development as a running back. He is a world-class teammate, he leads the way in our offseason training, and his skill is really starting to blossom. We believe Anthony has not reached his potential yet and his best football is still in front of him."

Walter Black (OL)

SR; Guntersville, AL

"We ask a lot of our guards in our system, and Walter has become one of the GPAC's best guards. Walter trains extremely hard in the offseason and it shows up in his longevity and dependability throughout the long season."

Mitch Van Regenmorter (OL)

SR; Maurice, IA

"Playing center is one of the hardest positions to play on the football field. This is especially true in a shotgun style offense like ours. Mitch has been a three-year starter and has anchored the interior of one of the best offensive line groups in the NAIA. He is a leader both on and off the field."

Jessup Leakey (DT)

JR; Independence, MO

"Jessup embodies everything we are looking for in a defensive lineman. The work he does on the interior line requires tremendous toughness and durability. Jessup's work ethic along with his talent allows him to consistently make plays for our defense."

Brayton Van Kekerix (LB)

SR; Rock Valley, IA

"Brayton is a linebacker at heart. His football instincts, toughness, physicality, and passion for the game are why he's earned this honor."

Honorable Mention

Abe Stoesz (S)

SO; Mountain Lake, MN

"As a sophomore, Abe was the third leading tackler on our defense. He is the rare combination of a guy who blitzes and sacks the quarterback, plays mane and zone coverage on opponents' slot receivers, and has to tackle in the open field. Because of Abe, our defense can do much more schematically."

2021 Results

  • vs Midland - L 24-25
  • at Hastings - W 61-10
  • vs Concordia - W 27-7
  • at Doane - W 27-7
  • vs Mount Marty - W 63-21
  • vs Dakota Wesleyan - W 45-13
  • at Morningside - L 28-34
  • at Northwestern - L 28-63
  • vs Briar Cliff - W 58-0
  • at Jamestown - W 77-6