FB: American Rivers Conference

[Schipper Strong]

Loras again seemed to be better prepared for the game than Central was yesterday. Central made the necessary adjustments at the half and came away with a comfortable win. Hunter Hoffman has perfected the art of throwing an interception to the end zone. Is there a national stat for that? He's done it three weeks in a row. Glad we have a bye week to break that cycle. Other than that he has taken the reins that no one else seemed to want as starting QB. Which we definitely needed. The good outweighs the bad and fortunately the defense offset 2 of 3 of those with a pick 6. The Central defense has proven to be the most consistent of the two units giving the offense as many opportunities as possible. They just need to keep working on getting better each week. A share of the conference title is still within reach. A big ask, but we tend to play better on the road than at home. Since Wartburg didn't want to come back here this year, it might work to our advantage.

[doolittledog]

We visited Dubuque on Saturday and it was fun to watch the Spartans beat NWU 56-28.  Prairie Wolves with -2 yards rushing. 

[DriftlessDuhawk]

A great homecoming weekend at Loras did not get the exclamation mark that many of us alums were looking for. The Duhawks continue to not be able to put two good halves together... This week it was a good first half (went into halftime tied 14-14) but then special teams and the offense fell off in the second half due to some good adjustments by the Dutch. The defense looked quite good throughout the game realistically only holding the blame for 21 of the 38 points scored by Central (punt blocked leading to a 5ish yard field/pick 6/3 and out after a turnover on downs leading to a field goal) which was a positive sign. Not sure what is holding the Duhawks back from playing a complete game on both sides of the ball but it has eluded them this entire season.

On to next week!

[doolittledog]

Weekend games...

Dubuque @ Wartburg
Coe @ Simpson
Loras @ NWU
Luther @ BVU

Sketchy weather and a solar eclipse on Saturday.  Could make things interesting across the conference tomorrow.

[doolittledog]

Games this week turned out about how I expected. 

Coe 28-0 over Simpson
Loras 41-38 over NWU in 2OT
BVU 17-10 over Luther
Wartburg 31-10 over Dubuque

The Loras/NWU ending was entertaining to watch on my phone while the UD/Wartburg game was on my TV. 

[DriftlessDuhawk]

I was able to catch the end of the Loras/NWU game on my phone while I was in Madison to watch was supposedly a football game. Was quite the finish in double OT! Unfortunately I feel like the story is the same for the Duhawks as they cannot get the offense and the defense to play well on the same day. It was the offense's turn to perform well in Lincoln and that they did. This being said I truly think that Mani Brown is the best WR in the league. From what I have been able to watch around the league I'm not sure there is anyone who is more unguardable/creates as much as he does.  Very exciting that most of the Duhawk offense will return next year and should continue to improve. I just hope that the defense is able to improve with them.

With Wartburg coming to the Rock Bowl next week I am not very optimistic for a Loras win. That being said I saw that UD had success against the Knights in the first half last weekend. Question for the Wartburg people here. IF Wartburg were to lose a conference game how does it happen? Is there achilles heel/weaker part of the Knights team this year? Would love to hear what your perspective is.

[Knights88]

I was able to catch the end of the Loras/NWU game on my phone while I was in Madison to watch was supposedly a football game. Was quite the finish in double OT! Unfortunately I feel like the story is the same for the Duhawks as they cannot get the offense and the defense to play well on the same day. It was the offense's turn to perform well in Lincoln and that they did. This being said I truly think that Mani Brown is the best WR in the league. From what I have been able to watch around the league I'm not sure there is anyone who is more unguardable/creates as much as he does.  Very exciting that most of the Duhawk offense will return next year and should continue to improve. I just hope that the defense is able to improve with them.

With Wartburg coming to the Rock Bowl next week I am not very optimistic for a Loras win. That being said I saw that UD had success against the Knights in the first half last weekend. Question for the Wartburg people here. IF Wartburg were to lose a conference game how does it happen? Is there achilles heel/weaker part of the Knights team this year? Would love to hear what your perspective is.

Wartburg fan here.  Not sure I can identify an achilles heel other than what appears their slow starts in games.  The team has a significant number of starters back from their national semifinal team, but the execution hasn't been as consistent as what it was at the end of last year.  In the past 4 games, Simpson was 0-0 at then end of Q1, then Wartburg proceeded to score 56 in the next two quarters.  Coe they were behind 0-14 in Q1, Luther 7-0 through Q1, and Dubuque were down 0-10 then proceeded to score the next 31 points.  They haven't played a complete game yet.

I'm looking forward to my first trip to the Rock Bowl this weekend!  It appears the Duhawks have a very potent offense and I look forward to a great game!

Question for you, is there handicap parking near the visit side bleachers?  It appears the visitor stands are on a rock ledge.  Appreciate any feedback. 

[MediaGuy]

If I recall there is a large parking area across from the tennis courts and there is a ramp into the stadium behind the end zone but it is rather steep so if you have someone in a wheelchair its not to bad to push them up the ramp, but someone with lower mobility trying to walk it might want to just sit on the home side...the way Wartburg travels...there will be spillover fans on the home side anyway.

[DriftlessDuhawk]

There are some handicap parking spaces in-between Rohlman Hall and Graber Sports center. This is on the visiting sideline and should only be a short walk to the stands on that side of the field. If those are not available then I would suggest parking on Alta Vista Blvd and walking down to the stadium. Much easier than parking by the tennis courts and walking up to the seats (there is a ramp up to the field but there are stairs to get up to the level of the stands).

The Duhawk offense has been great this year when they decide to just let the QB and WRs cook. They have often gotten stuck trying to "establish the run" to no avail. The QB and receiving core are phenomenal and when they are featured and can put up points. The defense is something that could use some work...

[Jay Murry]

Hello All,

While I will be following from afar WashU's efforts against North Central, it won't be idle following.

I will be in the midst of my Rett Gets Rocked 2023 24-hour ultramarathon at WashU to raise awareness of Rett syndrome and research funds to find a cure.  I'm starting around 8:00 Friday night (after I provide the call for the WashU-Saint Louis U. swimming and diving meet), and ending at 8:00 Saturday night. 

Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome.  It lays in the weeds until a child is between 6-18 months old, just when a child is learning to walk and talk.  Rett is like Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip when she pulls the ball away from Charlie Brown, as he tries to kick it.  Unlike Charlie Brown...when Rett pulls the ball away from children, they don't get a chance to get up and try again.  Children go into severe neurological regression; many end up in wheelchairs and most lose the ability to talk and to do sign language.  Those with Rett also are prone to seizures, extreme nerve pain, GI issues, breathing abnormalities, and eating difficulties that can all be life-threatening.

Researchers are relentless, providing hope on two fronts.  Back in March of this year, Daybue became the first FDA-approved drug to target the effects of Rett syndrome.  Daybue helps blunt some of the seizures and has helped improve some vocal and gross motor skills.  Gene replacement therapy clinical trials in two North American locations have helped one patient sit up independently for the first time in a decade, and to grasp objects for the first time since infancy.

It is this momentum of hope and progress that I am trying to assist and perpetuate.

If you would like to make a donation, click on this Rett Racers link:  https://rettracers.funraise.org/fundraiser/jaymurry

The families of children who have Rett and fight a tough fight every day, will be very grateful for your help.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and enjoy the games this weekend!

[Schipper Strong]

Looking forward to Central's game today. I know we will be successful in the air today with no interceptions on our side. Look out NWU our defense is mighty grabby when the ball is in the air.

[Schipper Strong]

No interceptions on either side in Central's game today. Really breezy especially in the first half. Once the Dutch got going, with a few major assists from special teams play, they really played well. Rolled up a 72-0 game with the top two QBs not playing in the second half. Or not at QB anyway. They are trying to find the best alternative position to take advantage of Glover's skills.

The whole Central team came to play today. Special teams really were out of this world special today. After Central's first TD they recovered the kick at the 20 yard line. Then they blocked two punts giving us the ball at roughly the 5 yard line and running the other one in for a touchdown. Defense did not get their normal dose of interceptions, but they still got the shutout. Nice game for the Dutch, long ride home for NWU.

Big game next week in Waverly. The Dutch don't have an undefeated season on the line. Likely no playoff consideration either. Might as well go in and play lights out spoiler and get a share of first place.

[doolittledog]

No close games this weekend.

Central 72-0 over NWU
Wartburg 62-7 over Loras
Simpson 56-14 over Luther
Dubuque 41-0 over BVU

We were in Dubuque for their homecoming.  That was a good time with good weather and good friends.  The game was never in doubt.  UD defense shut down BV.  Spartan offense looks good with new starters stepping in for some injured players and doing well. 

[Schipper Strong]

I always hate playing the Knights on/around Halloween. Just seems like orange and black is everywhere. Thanks to this week's podcast calling those teams the pumpkin spice teams I have a whole different perspective!  They may be picked to win in the podcast, but Wartburg's Pumpkin Spice just don't seem overly intrepid. Thanks Pat and Greg!

[DriftlessDuhawk]

Winning college football games is hard... That being said it is a lot harder when a team in your conference has 21 better players starting than your team does. I am still a strong believer that Brown is the best WR in the league (although he did not have a great game this weekend), but that was the only position that the Duhawks were better than Wartburg. Loras has come a ways over the past few years to get out of the cellar of the conference but they are leagues behind the top end of the conference. Last weekend was my first time getting eyes on Wartburg for an entire game this year but as our friends over on the MIAC board would say the game was an absolute monkey stomping. Wartburg is a great team and have clearly set a new standard in the ARC.