Doane ready to start Chris Bessler era on Saturday

KLKN Sports Staff

sports@klkntv.com

CRETE, Neb. – Doane is ready for the 2018 season under first-year head coach Chris Bessler. 

The Tigers are picked to finish seventh in the GPAC this season, but they aren’t listening to any of the preseason polls. The players are just excited to play for coach Bessler, who has been a part of the program for more than a decade under long time coach Matt Franzen. 

"He’s brought a new energy too us. He’s really instilled a toughness level too us that we’ve had in the past," Jacob Beller, a senior wideout, said. "But really trying to focus on the little details and really getting that toughness that wen the fourth quarter rolls around we can play our best football. "

Bessler, who was the defensive coordinator for 11 seasons before taking over for Franzen, is also ready to kick things off. 

"We’re very excited," Bessler said. "We’re happy with where we’re at with camp, we had a really good camp. A lot of enthusiasm and a lot of improvement throughout. So you know, we’re getting to that point where it’s time to play someone else."

The Tigers open the season at Friends University on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.