By John Regenfuss
D3sports.com
It's fairly unusual for a team to score 60 or more points in a game, but when both teams manage to accomplish that feat, it deserves recognition. Last Saturday, Olivet of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association topped Franklin (1-1) of the HCAC in an offensive extravaganza 63-62. The teams not only combined for 125 points but for 1,121 yards of offense and, maybe even more amazing, 443 kickoff return yards. Franklin sophomore wingback Danny Sears had a career game, returning a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and a punt 71 yards for a score, both in the first quarter. Quarterback Andy Clark also starred for the Grizzlies, throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns. The Franklin defense, as you may have guessed, struggled mightily, allowing Olivet two 180 yard-plus rushers.
If the remainder of the season goes according to its first two games, Franklin fans are in for an exciting year. Besides their one-point game with Olivet last weekend, the Grizzlies' Week 1 contest with Ohio Wesleyan was decided by a single point: a 34-33 victory. This week, Franklin will hit the road to take on Millikin of the CCIW.
Crashing Falcons
The defending IBFC champion and 2003 postseason qualifier Concordia (Wis.) Falcons appear to be in trouble. Yes, it's just two weeks into the 2004 season but two double-digit losses to begin the year is definitely cause for alarm. The main reason for its 0-2 record and the area of greatest concern to head coach Jeff Gabrielsen has to be the number of costly mistakes his team is making. Through its games with Monmouth and UW-Oshkosh, Concordia has a minus-9 turnover ratio. However, it's not just the turnovers that is the problem, it is what other teams are doing with them. Monmouth returned two interceptions for touchdowns and UW-Oshkosh scored on a blocked punt and a fumble recovery. Versus the Scots, the Falcons also lost two fumbles and against the Titans they coughed up the ball six times, losing four. The good news is that Concordia has winless and scoreless Wisconsin Lutheran next on its schedule. Correcting these mistakes in a hurry is an imperative, as a matchup with 2001 and 2002 league champion MacMurray is looming just one week later.
The Replacements
Throughout their illustrious careers, quarterbacks Brett Dietz of Hanover and Joel Steele of Anderson posted record-breaking numbers at the helms of their pass-happy offenses. However, both Dietz and Steele graduated last year and everyone associated with the football programs at Hanover and Anderson knew that filling the void left by the prolific trigger-men would be very difficult. And, thus far this season, as expected, their replacements have experienced ups and downs.
Hanover coach Wayne Perry tabbed Rick Webster as his starting quarterback, but the junior lasted just over one half before leaving the Panthers' game vs. Thomas More with an injury. His replacement, sophomore Greg Gogel, filled in admirably, leading Hanover in a comeback attempt that would fall just one point short. In limited action that day, Gogel completed 24-of-41 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. This past weekend, in his first collegiate start, Gogel threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns but was picked off twice and the Panthers lost to Washington and Jefferson, 27-15.
Heading into its season opener, Anderson quarterback Maurice Swain won the Ravens' starting job. But Swain was ineffective versus Olivet Nazarene, throwing for just 32 yards, and was pulled in the fourth quarter in favor of backup Chris McKee. In one quarter of play, McKee passed for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but the damage was done and Anderson fell 43-20. In Week Two, Anderson reversed its fortunes, winning against Taylor 19-12, but McKee's performance was subpar, throwing for just 128 yards and completing just 39% of his passes. He did, however, connect on two touchdown passes with Hyman Smith.
UAA and Midwest Region Independents Update
Teams of the University Athletic Association and those schools unaffiliated with a conference in the Midwest Region often don't get much publicity, so in an attempt to preemptively address this oversight, I offer this early-season progress report.
Blackburn (0-2)
It has been a rather inauspicious start to the 2004 season for Blackburn. Bad losses to Illinois College (53-20) and Dubuque (33-0) point to a rough season ahead for the Beavers. The Blackburn offense is averaging just 189 yards per game, but a chance to improve upon that number is just ahead. Next up: Trinity Bible (0-2)
Chicago (1-0, 0-0 UAA)
Behind receiver Micah Dawson's seven-reception, 188-yard, two touchdown performance, the Maroons kicked off the 2004 season in successful style, doubling up North Park of the CCIW, 40-20. Next up: at Elmhurst (2-0)
Maranatha Baptist (1-0)
The Crusaders cruised in their season opener, beating Crown, 32-14. Next up: Martin Luther (0-2)
Principia (1-1)
Despite most assuredly being outmanned on a weekly basis (the Principia roster contains just 25 players), the Panthers persist. Week 1 was ugly for Principia, as the Southwest Assemblies of God breezed to a 56-7 victory. Week 2 brought victory: a 12-7 win at Trinity Bible. Next up: Northwestern (Minn.) (0-2)
Rockford (1-1)
No 105-0 scores this season, at least not yet (the Regents don't face Trinity Bible until Oct. 16). In Week 1, Rockford lost to Eureka 27-21, but managed to follow it up with a 17-0 win versus Wisconsin Lutheran in Week 2. The Rockford defense shined against a poor Warrior offense in the victory, holding WLC to 16 yards rushing on 17 attempts. Next up: Crown (0-1)
Thomas More (1-1)
Thomas More has had two great early-season tests thus far in 2004, facing Hanover and MacMurray in Weeks 1 and 2. The Saints made the grade versus Hanover, edging the defending HCAC title-winner, 31-30. Defensive tackle Dan Ollberding blocked an extra point attempt that would have tied the game to give Thomas More the victory. However, against MacMurray, TMC fell short, losing to the Highlanders 35-20. Next up: at Wittenberg (0-1)
Washington U. (1-1, 0-0 UAA)
Washington U., the preseason favorite to capture the UAA, began the 2004 season with the unenviable task of facing D-III stalwart Mount Union. With eight months to think about their failure in the 2003 national championship game, the Purple Raiders took their frustration out on the Bears to the tune of 38-0. However, Washington rebounded nicely in Week Two, knocking off independent Westminster (Mo.), 41-20. The Bears' attack was balanced, getting touchdowns from six players, including a 60-yard interception return by defensive back Joe Rizzo in the second quarter. Next up: at Wabash (1-0)
Westminster (Mo.) (0-2)
For Westminster, 2004 has not been kind, at least through two weeks. Two losses, both by double digits and both including 40-plus point outputs by their opponents, have marred the Blue Jays' season to date. The two early-season defeats equal the total number Westminster has suffered each of the past two seasons. Next up: Minnesota-Morris (1-1)
Notes
In his first collegiate start, UW-Stevens Point quarterback Brett Borchart threw for 254 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for another 63 yards and a score in a 57-3 trouncing of Tri-State. Borchart is a sophomore transfer from Division II Saginaw Valley State. ... UW-Stout quarterback Nick Ohman passed for 216 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Blue Devils to a 23-0 blanking of DePauw. ... Cornerback Josh Otto picked off two passes to help spur UW-La Crosse to a 34-13 defeat of D-II Minnesota-Duluth. ... UW-Eau Claire avoided the post-St. John's upset hangover, beating Illinois Wesleyan 28-7. ... Receiver Tyke Spencer, a transfer from Division I-A Indiana and younger brother of Brad Spencer, the Cardinals' leading pass-catcher in 2003, hauled in five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in North Central's season-opening 34-0 win against Benedictine. ... Matt Roe scored from 11 yards out with 2:38 remaining to lift Augustana (2-0) to a 29-28 victory against Upper Iowa. ... Through its first two games of the season, Elmhurst (2-0) has scored a combined 106 points and amassed a total of 1,012 yards of offense. ... Behind 190 rushing yards and two touchdowns from tailback Garrett Granberg, the Wheaton Thunder rolled over Gustavus Adolphus, 42-21. ... After catching eight passes in Mt. St. Joseph's 21-3 win versus Rose-Hulman, Andy Wellendorf is just four catches shy of becoming the Lions' all-time leading receiver... By virtue of its 24-6 win against Hiram, Bluffton is 2-0 for the first time since 1999. ... St. Norbert's Ryan Hartman became the fourth Green Knights' quarterback in school history to surpass 5,000 career passing yards with his 139-yard performance in a 39-20 win versus Beloit. ... The Illinois College defense held Lawrence to 73 yards of rushing on 40 carries in the Blue Boys' 50-7 victory. ... Ripon collected nine more first downs, ran 19 more offensive plays, and outgained Monmouth by 6 yards but lost to the Scots in decisive fashion 45-21.
Games of the Week
No. 2 Linfield (1-0) at No. 7 UW-Stevens Point (1-0), Goerke Field, Stevens Point, Wis., 2 p.m.:
Without a doubt the most anticipated Game of the Week here and around the nation and could quite possibly prove to be the game of the year in the Midwest Region. The Wildcats of the Northwest Conference have won 25 consecutive regular season games -- a streak which spans four seasons. Neither team was challenged in its season opener, as Linfield dominated Division II's Western Oregon, 58-17, while Stevens Point pounded Tri-State, 57-3. Junior quarterback Brett Elliott, who accounted for six touchdowns in Week 2, and preseason All-American wide receiver George Carter, lead Linfield. The Pointers will enjoy a huge home field advantage considering Linfield must journey cross country from McMinnville, Oregon, to Stevens Point, an excursion of 1,973 miles, for the contest.
St. Norbert (1-1, 1-0) at Monmouth (2-0, 1-0), Bobby Woll Memorial Field, Monmouth, Ill., 1:30 p.m.: Monmouth, winners of eight consecutive league games, welcomes reigning MWC kings St. Norbert to Bobby Woll Memorial Field for a crucial intraconference tussle. The Fighting Scots' last Midwest Conference defeat came at the hands of St. Norbert on September 20, 2003. Monmouth is off to a flying start in 2004, cruising past IBFC champion Concordia (Wis.), 52-39, in Week 1 and dispatching Ripon, 45-21, in Week 2. St. Norbert bounced back from a crushing season opening loss to UW-Whitewater to top Beloit 39-20 last weekend. The Green Knights have not lost a MWC game since the final week of the 2002 season.
No. 3 UW-La Crosse (1-0) at Division II South Dakota (3-0), DakotaDome, Vermillion, S.D., 2 p.m.: UW-La Crosse goes for the sweep of its 2004 Division II opponents and the non-conference portion of its schedule versus familiar foe South Dakota. A year ago, La Crosse edged the Coyotes, 28-24. In their 2004 opener, the Eagles embarrassed Minnesota-Duluth on its home field, 34-13. South Dakota will unveil a prolific offense when La Crosse comes calling at the DakotaDome. In three games this year, the Coyotes have scored 156 points, including 56-0 and 51-3 victories, while allowing just 25. South Dakota is coached by Ed Meierkort, who left UW-Stout following last season.
Hanover (0-2) at No. 19 Bridgewater (Va.) (1-1), Jopson Field, Bridgewater, Va., 1 p.m.: Hanover's nightmarish non-conference schedule continues when the Panthers travel to Virginia to play four-time defending Old Dominion Athletic Conference champion and No. 23-ranked Bridgewater. In Week 2 vs. Washington and Jefferson, Hanover, the 2004 HCAC favorite, fell, 27-15, marking the first time since 1993 that the Panthers have started the season 0-2. Both teams have had their problems on offense thus far this season, so a defensive struggle might be in the offing.
