FB: American Rivers Conference

[Purple Heys]

Players of the Week Sept. 6, 2009
   

Offense: Brad Boyle, Coe College, New Sharon, Iowa/North Mahaska
Boyle, a sophomore quarterback, was 25-for-32 for 207 yards and a touchdown in Coe's 9-7 season-opening win over Augustana (Ill.). The 25 completions rank fifth-most in school history for a single game. He also tallied a game-high 16 carries for 16 yards.

Defense: Don Bladt, Cornell College, Shelby, Iowa/AHST
Bladt, a senior defensive back, intercepted three passes in leading the Rams to a 28-21 season-opening victory at Grinnell, snapping Cornell's 18-game losing streak. Bladt had a 60-yard touchdown and picked off another pass in the end zone for a touchback in the fourth quarter. His first pick of the day, which he returned 30 yards, set up Cornell's first touchdown in the second quarter. Bladt also tied for the team lead with seven tackles in addition to handling regular kickoff duties.

Special Teams: Elliot Rausa, Coe College, Waterloo, Iowa/Columbus Catholic
Rausa, a junior kicker, was 1-for-2 on field goal attempts, making a 26-yarder with 11:52 to play in the game to provide what ended up being the winning points. He also assisted on a tackle.

More Bladt:  Named IIAC Male Athlete of the Week.  Way to go Don!

[SNCOLDAD]

Purple Heys, what is happening at Grinnell's facilities? We have a game there this Saturday and usually head for the parking lot on the visitors side of the field. And the field there is spectacular. What's happening?

[Klompen]

Central into TOP 25, Wart out

Ah music to my ears.  

Too bad I don't think we deserve it.    I'm glad Central won and it was easier than the final score indicates, but 40-17 against a team that we beat 41-0 in a 6-4 year for us doesn't vault Central into the top 25 in my opinion.  Now a win this weekend, might be a different matter.    

Hey Doolittle, Central IS back!  No not to the Central strength of prior years, but we are back to playing smash mouth football and doing so has been very successful to Central in many of those years.  It sounded like the Central of old in play calling.  Run, run, run, pass only when you have to.  Which was boring to watch, but it was successful back in the pre-Connell days.

I think Coe's win against Augustana was impressive, they aren't the team they used to be either, but they are still a good respectable team.  Congratulations on a nice win, Coe.  Wartburg's loss was most surprising.  I don't know much about this year's St. Norbert's team, it is too early.  Here is what came to mind when I thought about that.  I remembered back to the Tim Connell days at Central, boy were they fun.  I also remember the motto seemed to be "find a way" and there were a lot of games that final season where Connell literally seemed to be the guy that was finding the way, with some help from fantastic punting.  Yordi is a 4 year starter, he is projected as early candidate for POY, I guess my surprise was that he didn't find a way to lead Wartburg to victory.  Not wanting to criticize his stats, he is a great player, but boy am I glad Tim didn't follow his brother's path to college.

Great job by Nate Snead and Jarred Lackey.  That could be a really powerful running combination for Central and, it never hurts to have a former QB at TB in a pinch.

[DutchFan2004]

Purple Heys, what is happening at Grinnell's facilities? We have a game there this Saturday and usually head for the parking lot on the visitors side of the field. And the field there is spectacular. What's happening?

Grinnell has some construction going on.  I dont know what the building is called but the visitors side of the field has a building being added on to it.  There will be new visitors seating when completed.  It looks like a huge addition. 

[DutchFan2004]

Central into TOP 25, Wart out

Ah music to my ears.  

Too bad I don't think we deserve it.    I'm glad Central won and it was easier than the final score indicates, but 40-17 against a team that we beat 41-0 in a 6-4 year for us doesn't vault Central into the top 25 in my opinion.  Now a win this weekend, might be a different matter.    

Hey Doolittle, Central IS back!  No not to the Central strength of prior years, but we are back to playing smash mouth football and doing so has been very successful to Central in many of those years.  It sounded like the Central of old in play calling.  Run, run, run, pass only when you have to.  Which was boring to watch, but it was successful back in the pre-Connell days.

I think Coe's win against Augustana was impressive, they aren't the team they used to be either, but they are still a good respectable team.  Congratulations on a nice win, Coe.  Wartburg's loss was most surprising.  I don't know much about this year's St. Norbert's team, it is too early.  Here is what came to mind when I thought about that.  I remembered back to the Tim Connell days at Central, boy were they fun.  I also remember the motto seemed to be "find a way" and there were a lot of games that final season where Connell literally seemed to be the guy that was finding the way, with some help from fantastic punting.  Yordi is a 4 year starter, he is projected as early candidate for POY, I guess my surprise was that he didn't find a way to lead Wartburg to victory.  Not wanting to criticize his stats, he is a great player, but boy am I glad Tim didn't follow his brother's path to college.

Great job by Nate Snead and Jarrod Lackey.  That could be a really powerful running combination for Central and, it never hurts to have a former QB at TB in a pinch.

Klompen

I think it is a good sign that Central can run the ball.  I think the most successful teams know how to run the ball.  Having said that the years before 04 like 03 and 02 the Dutch didn't do well at running or throwing.  I think the best is some of both worlds.  Know how to run the ball but be able to throw it and adjust if they are stacking the box.  Listen to most coaches and if you make a team one dimensional that is half the battle of the defense.  I hope the Dutch can keep it going.  This week will be a huge test.  I agree if we can get a W this week the Dutch will belong back in the top 25. 

[Purple Heys]

Purple Heys, what is happening at Grinnell's facilities? We have a game there this Saturday and usually head for the parking lot on the visitors side of the field. And the field there is spectacular. What's happening?

Massive renovation and addition to their sports facility...Phase II.  When it's finished it will be nice.  Heck, it's nice now...it'll be spectacular.

http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/institutionalplanning/tour/athletics/includes/index102.jpg

The natural grass field is in great shape...visitors section is the North side of main grandstand.  They didn't charge admission nor did they charge for the game programs.  Very gracious hosts...they brought a golfcart to assist our older tailgaters making their way to the game.

[warthog]

Thought for the day:

Decorum is for sissies.

- Paul Seaburn

[warthog]

What do you think practices were like at Wartburg this week? 

Last year the defense gave up an average of 16 points/game during the regular season.  Last weekend they choked up nearly four touchdowns more than they gave up in an average regular season game during the 2008 season. 

I'm going out on a limb and predicting we'll see some defensive changes this weekend in the Knights' home opener. 

[New Storm]

What do you think practices were like at Wartburg this week? 

Last year the defense gave up an average of 16 points/game during the regular season.  Last weekend they choked up nearly four touchdowns more than they gave up in an average regular season game during the 2008 season. 

I'm going out on a limb and predicting we'll see some defensive changes this weekend in the Knights' home opener. 

Remember this is not last year .. But I agree there will be some changes

[warthog]

Any information concerning the H1N1 outbreak at Luther?  I would assume this has become a real logistics problem for the college as they attempt to get students settled into their dorms for the beginning of classes.  As an example; how would you handle meals for those who have flu?  What do you do with a student who has a roommate with H1N1?  Problems-problems-problems.  

[sportsknight]

Any information concerning the H1N1 outbreak at Luther?  I would assume this has become a real logistics problem for the college as they attempt to get students settled into their dorms for the beginning of classes.  As an example; how would you handle meals for those who have flu?  What do you do with a student who has a roommate with H1N1?  Problems-problems-problems.  

After the scare last spring, if they (or any other college for that matter) didn't have a contingency plan for what they would do in the even of an H1N1 diagnosis, then that is a major lack of planning on their part.  A couple weeks back we did a story on Loras' plans, and how they were formulated given that school's experience with a mumps outbreak back in 2006.  Between H1N1, menengitis, and any other such illnesses, any college worth its salt (and even a few that aren't) will have very detailed, very specific plans in place.

And if they don't, well then may God have mercy on their souls.

[Old Dutch]

Someone asked earlier if H1N1 will have an impact on final standings.  I will say that any flu this year will impact teams that don't stay healthy.  Because of the concerns around H1N1, all flu symptoms will be handled with extreme caution, and going by the guidelines, that means players may be out of practice until 24 hrs after a fever subsides.  Depth will be a factor, and the pre-planning for flu contingencies will become critical to team success.

Having said that lets not over react to this flu season.  Sure H1N1 is a deeper concern, especially for people with chronic health problems.  But I hope we don't see games cancelled, schools closed and general life as we know it shut down for fear of the flu, common sense precautions can prevent all that!

Stay healthy, especially theDutch!

[Walston Hoover]

Looking forward to watching the Knights this weekend, and watching my brother coach against the Knights. I'll probably stay pretty quiet during the game.
Was told the the Wartburg OL looked better than they did when I played. Sounds like defense was athletic but made a lot of mistakes which can be expected with a young unit. They have another weekandahalf to clean that up.

[wartknight]

I am sure the practices will be "spirited" this week. Wartknight II told me the boys know they are in for a tough week....regarding the game, I too believe the young defense will learn from their mistakes & come together as a unit. I was still hoping someone would step up in reg & make a play, that will come also. Offensively, while it is nice to put up good #'s & score 35 pts, when we needed it, it didn't happen. I am confident down the road when we need a 1st down to close the deal or have 4 plays to score from 6 yds, it will happen. While you never like to lose, now is better than later, especially if they learn from the experiance!!

Good Luck this Sat

[DutchFan2004]

Looking forward to watching the Knights this weekend, and watching my brother coach against the Knights. I'll probably stay pretty quiet during the game.
Was told the the Wartburg OL looked better than they did when I played. Sounds like defense was athletic but made a lot of mistakes which can be expected with a young unit. They have another weekandahalf to clean that up.

I am sure that this puts you in a tough spot.  Wanting your alma mater to do well but wanting your brother to do well as well.  Son #2 struggled with that too.