FB: American Rivers Conference

[hazzben]

St. Olaf has Penz and the passing game, but Olaf lost to Northwestern 17-16.

Olaf is in trouble right now. I'd put Luther as a 10-14 point favorite, and I know how historically close they play these games. They looked really slow at the skill positions and really sloppy on the lines on Saturday.

Very impressive start for Wartburg.  I think it's the first time I can ever remember Coach Willis smiling broadly after a game.  The margin (40-3) had to be devastating for Augsburg which returned an experienced and highly-regarded quarterback (Scott), a similarly-respected running back (Washington), and a lot of experience generally. In the conference's video Augsburg said they were well-prepared for Wartburg, and I think everyone in the overflow crowd (2800) expected the game to be more competitive.  So, one down on a pretty challenging stretch for the Knights.  Gotta keep the coach smiling.

Wartburg was impressive! Physical, confident and made tons of big plays.

I was expecting a closer game. But mostly because I thought Augsburg would be able to put up some points. Not surprised that Wartburg lit them up though. Augsburg only brought back 2-3 guys on D and their best player is suspended (don't get me started on this knuckle-head).

Nice opening week win though. Definitely has me nervous for Saturday! 

[Willie University]

From the Spartan Nation ... OUCH!!!

Ouch is probably a safe assessment. It was a tough start for the Spartans. Hats off to UW-Lacrosse, they came out ready to play and have some playmakers for sure. But, you certainly can't expect to turn the ball over on your first 4 possessions and expect to win many games. And I believe 6-7  total turnovers. That was the dagger. Had Blaine Snitker's (Waukon IA) interception return for a TD not been called back because of a meaningless penalty, the comeback attempt would have been within reach.

On the flip side, I was impressed with how the defense responded being put in awful situations all night. I think the offense will improve for sure and the defense will give us a chance in every game.

Possibly the biggest test of the season coming up this weekend at platteville After UWP's dismantling of the Beavers, the spartans better come ready to play and hang on to the ball! 

I am sure the Spartan's realize this but I'd rather play any of the UW schools and even in a loss they will be better prepared for the IIAC then playing cupcakes from some of the other conferences 

GO SPARTANS!

[TheOne89.1]

I am interested to see how Dubuque does against UW-Platteville.  I only watched a little bit of the scrimmage (not the same as a game, but still get to see a team's intensity) when Platteville came to Waverly and the Pioneers looked really good.  Typically UW-L is not as strong as the rest of the WIAC, but with former Wartburg fellas like Dettwiler and Hoskins on the coaching staff, things HAVE to turn around for the Eagles right?

Good luck to everyone in the IIAC again.  Let's see a sweep this week!

[Phred]

It is difficult to tell whether Luther,s win over Presentation means anything.  Presentation does not seem to be the patsy  that was expected.  They recruit well out state and offer some good scholarships as an NAIA school.

Norse did a 99 yard drive to put them on top in the fourth quarter.  Difficult against any opponent .  So, maybe Luther could win one or two in the IIAC.

St. Olaf is a rivalry game of sorts...out of conference however.  Ole,s may be down but doesn.t mean much.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

It is difficult to tell whether Luther,s win over Presentation means anything.  Presentation does not seem to be the patsy  that was expected.  They recruit well out state and offer some good scholarships as an NAIA school.

Norse did a 99 yard drive to put them on top in the fourth quarter.  Difficult against any opponent .  So, maybe Luther could win one or two in the IIAC.

St. Olaf is a rivalry game of sorts...out of conference however.  Ole,s may be down but doesn.t mean much.

Luther lost to Presentation last year, so there might be some progress in finding a way to win this year.

Norse Defense obviously has to get better pretty quick.  The Norse Offense still looks dangerous though.

They beat Loras by 34 last year and lost games late against Wartburg and Simpson, so maybe they could win one or two in the IIAC.

When I was in school Wartburg Football and Wartburg Baseball had not jumped yet to the level they would by the late 1990s.  The Knights were the big rival in football and Central was the respected football power.  St. Olaf and Upper Iowa were the baseball rivals more in some ways while Wartburg was more of just a general school rival in that sport.  The fact that the Norse and Oles play every year now in football but not in baseball is just strange.

I will be happy for a Norse win on Saturday!

[Willie University]

Hey Pat,

We really need Doolittle Dog back on the boards! He said he tried to re-activate his account without any luck and also contact you. Can you work some magic for him 

[IIAC-Lifer]

Loras College FR CB Maurice "Mouse" Young named IIAC Male Athlete of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week and D3 Football Team of the week!

He had three INTs and 2 tackles in Loras's 38-17 victory vs. Elmhurst

Loras forced 7 turnovers and had 7 sacks on the day!


http://www.iowaconference.com/news/2014/9/9/IIAC_0909141340.aspx

http://d3football.com/awards/tow/2014/week1

[Pat Coleman]

I don't remember an email but I probably get a hundred emails a day so have him email me again?

It is really, really difficult to get approved on the board if you have a generic email address. All the yahoo and similar addresses sit in a holding queue until I can establish that there is a real person behind them. About 95% of the attempted registrations for the board are spam, yet spam almost never makes it to the board and that's because the approval process is extensive.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

There are probably several good reasons for Central to play night games early in the season.  There is the variety of the thing, the chance to have fireworks afterward, etc.  I wouldn't be surprised to learn that one of the reasons is that the temperature was pushing 100 at last year's day time home opener.  Looks like it could be about 50 degrees cooler by the fourth quarter tomorrow night. Brrr.  Go Dutch!

[wartknight]

A pretty silent start to the season on the IIAC board (I haven't done my part-need DD to get us going!) Looks like almost perfect football weather in the Wav town (60's-slight breeze) today. While the Knights had an impressive start last week, today will be a very tough challenge. Defense needs to keep the big plays to a minimum & get off the field on 3rd & long. Should be a good one.

[notlongago]

A pretty silent start to the season on the IIAC board (I haven't done my part-need DD to get us going!) Looks like almost perfect football weather in the Wav town (60's-slight breeze) today. While the Knights had an impressive start last week, today will be a very tough challenge. Defense needs to keep the big plays to a minimum & get off the field on 3rd & long. Should be a good one.

That's nice coach speak, but...c'mon. Wartburg will roll.

[hazzben]

lackluster first half in Waverly. 7-3 Bethel

Both D's have looked good. Both special teams have made plays and mistakes. Blocked punt for Wartburg deep in Bethel territory. Missed FG for Wart.

Wartburg Dline looks good. Bethel hasn't been able to get much push and they've brought consistent pressure, keeping Peterson from getting comfortable.

Wartburg starts with the ball. This game feels like it'll be won on D and specials.

I've liked Wartburg's play calling on offense. Nice mix of run, pass. Some miscues and penalties have hurt drives, along with untimely turnovers. If they clean it up they'll definitely put pressure on Bethel's offense to find their groove.

[hazzben]

Congrats to Wartburg.

Defense played really well, especially in the front 7. Consistently in Peterson's face all game. Thought the Knight's called a nice game on offense as well.

[D O.C.]

Good job, Wartburg.
Wildcat11, Gig HarborCat and I were sitting in A/C monitoring your game.
Now we have to go meet Chapman to introduce the LINFIELD WILDCATS.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

Luther beat St. Olaf, 20-3.  The Norse are 2-0 and next face the Pioneers of Grinnell College.

The Norse played solid but I don't think the Oles are what they were even 2-3 years ago.

Congrats as well to Wartburg for a really nice win over Bethel and Simpson beating UWRF.

Loras seems better as well.