FB: American Rivers Conference

LC65 · September 20, 2005, 09:20:19 AM

Last year was the first time in 24 years that the Norse had beat the Dutch, and Central greatly underestimated Luther and Sheridan. But lets keep in mind, yes, Sheridan is a great back, but he also has a great line. The Norse are returning 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen this year. Luther also returns some very good wide receivers. If teams key on Sheridan and the running game, and start putting 8 guys in the box, Luther will be able to air it out. I think a lot of people are under-estimating Luther, just as Central did last year.

The Show · September 20, 2005, 10:52:37 AM

vinnysboy - If for some reason you go to Storm Lake this weekend, you can sit by me and cheer on the Beavers, but they're playing Cornell, not Dubuque. I think you want to travel to Indianola, IA to watch the Spartans play the Storm...Simpson that is. Didn't want you to travel all that way and show up at the wrong game!

As for thoughts on Loras' offense, I posted some on page 30. They seem young and not as athletic as they have been in the past, especially at RB. And it probably didn't help that they lost the starting RB and QB to injuries during the game. The QB who was injured was able to make a couple nice plays with his legs early on, but neither QB was very accurate in the passing game.

Walston Hoover · September 20, 2005, 10:55:06 AM

Go ahead and play the "no respect" card all you want LC 65. I think you've got plenty. The coaches and most of the people on here voted you to finish 2nd in the conference and the best you've finished in a long time is 6-4. Let us remember that Central also only finished 6-4 last year.

lorbec47 · September 20, 2005, 11:09:20 AM

Thoughts on BV/Loras:

Both defenses looked very good. A huge kick return, and an interception return for TD were the differences. Loras 12 first downs, BV 8. The game pretty much seemed to drag on. That being said, the Beavers made the bigger plays. Tough game to lose. Not sure what happened to Loras' running back, they were looking at X-Rays on his lower leg by the end of the game. Not a good sign. Loras was close to breaking off some big pass plays, but the timing wasn't there on Saturday. Should be a good contest between Loras and Central. The Loras DL is tough.

vinnysboy · September 20, 2005, 11:22:43 AM

Thanks for the clarification show. I traveled Iowa this summer and tried to figure all of the small towns out. Thank god I'm acctually staying and traveling with one of my boys @ IA state. Enjoy your game though. I am hoping DBQ plays better than last week. I heard that 1 of my former players might be suspended and I'm hoping that another one that was hurt last week will be able to play.

NorseFan · September 20, 2005, 12:02:52 PM

I'm gonna go ahead and agree with Walston on this one. Luther has received quite a bit of respect so far. Now it is up to them to keep it.
I do feel confident that they will do well. I however have not been able to watch them this year that is why I've tried to keep my opinions to a minimum.

Floyd in Iowa City · September 20, 2005, 12:50:05 PM

LC65,

I am not sure how much Central underestimated Luther last year, since Luther won 30-24 in double overtime. The Norse out gained the Dutch 416-268, but Central led 14-0 for a majority of regulation.

Usually when a team is trying to snap a long losing streak they must play fairly mistake free. The exception in my mind of course is 1998 when Iowa State finally snapped Iowa's long 15-game streak. That was a very ugly game between two bad teams.

coocooforcoekohawk · September 20, 2005, 01:42:55 PM

Under estimating,
You've got to be kidding. Luther was ranked second in the preseason poll, and Co champ Coe behind them. Luther has done nothing to earn their ranking of second in the preseason poll. Now, I have seen a lot of respect for Coe on this board, except from SPORTSKNIGHT. I'm not complaining about respect for Coe. Luther needs to prove themselves this week and next week to continue their respect, however. I'll go as far to say that the St. Olaf game was not a good barometer of Luther's talent. St. Olaf will be one of the top two in the MIAC at seasons end. If you norse want to complain about something, complain about being scheduled against the top four teams in the league in succeeding weeks.

dbljay21 · September 20, 2005, 02:05:36 PM

coocoo,
First of all, not everyone is complaining and I don't think LC65 was complaining about being underestimated by Central last season. He was just stating that they underestimated the Norse. And from what I heard walking off the field that day from the coaching staff and the Dutch players, none of them thought the Norse should have won. Yes, the Dutch were in control most of the game, but the outcome was proof that you have to play four quarters of football to win in the IIAC.

As for the issue of respect in the conference, I think that Wartburg, Luther, Coe and Simpson were all well respected from the people on this board and coaches in the conference. And you can never count out the Dutch. The fact is that this year could be even closer than the past years and that the conference champions will have definitely had to earn it on the field on saturdays.

As for the schedule, whether you play the tough teams early or late in the season, you still have to play them. No complaints about the schedule here.

LC65 · September 20, 2005, 03:34:13 PM

Hold on, back the boat up! First of all, I am not complaining in the least about being underestimated by Central last season (dbljay21 is right on). Anyone who has been around the Luther program for the last 3 1/2 years knows that the Norse strive and love it when they are considered the underdogs. Also, I am on here to petition for Luther to gain respect, I agree that they have gained respect from most people. HOWEVER, I feel that this week, against Wartburg, Luther is being underestimated. Yes, many are saying, "it will be a close game," but most still pick Wartburg to win, and maybe with good reason (history). All I am saying is that Luther was VERY close to beating Wartburg last year in Waverly, and this year, Luther returns almost their entire O-line, QB and WR's, and has a better back in the backfield this year.

To address the St. Olaf game, they are a good team. Anyone who was at the game or looked at the stats knows that the Norse shot themselves in the foot that game with turnovers. If that continues to happen, we will be in for a rough, disappointing season in the IIAC.

Finally, Floyd, Central DID underestimate us last season:
"When you let bad teams like that hang around and play with you instead of putting them away, this is what happens." - Central Head Coach Jeff McMartin after the Luther loss last year

War Pig · September 20, 2005, 04:27:25 PM

LC65, I don't have any respect for Luther at all, which is why I am taking Wartburg -10 points on Saturday. If a 6-4 season and a win against mediocre Central are the main credentials for getting respect, that dog won't hunt for me.

As far as McMartin's quote goes, that guy should hire a public relations manager. I got a kick out his quote about his quarterback, and how he would never have recruited the kid to Central. Since McMartin has been there two years and doesn't have a better backup quarterback to bring in, he must not be a very good recruiter.

miacfb · September 20, 2005, 04:37:47 PM

LC65,

Let me get this straight...a team gives up 580 yds. of offense (including a 98 yd. drive), sees their opponent go on a 30-0 scoring run, can't convert in the red zone...but yet they "shot themselves in the foot with turnovers." Wrong...St. Olaf stuffed the ball down Luther's throat and they had no answer for it. St. Olaf had 4 touchdown drives that were 75 yards or longer, so a short field resulting from turnovers had nothing to do with it.

NorseFan · September 20, 2005, 04:42:58 PM

Ohh snap. LC65 might as well let it rest now.

spartanfaithful · September 20, 2005, 07:16:55 PM

Luther is a very good football team, they have a physical o-line a good runningback and an able quarterback. I would imagine a very good game this week. Im picking luther as an early prediction, but only if they play solid football.

LC65 · September 20, 2005, 07:30:58 PM

miacfb,
That 98 yard drive you were talking about was enabled by a Luther fumble on the Olie 2 yard line. Also, the being in the redzone and not converting would also consitute turning the ball over (on downs). That is exactly what I mean when I say they shot themselves in the foot. I'm not going to get into a "my team did this, your team did that" match with you. I've made my statements about Luther and what they are playing with this year and what I predict is going to happen on Saturday. I may predict right, I may predict wrong, but I know the potential the Norse have this year.