Surprises top Iowa Conference standings
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Simpson has climbed on the back of All-American candidate Mike Donnenwerth and he has carried them to a 3-0 start for the first time in recent memory. With a strong arm and powerful leg Donnenwerth has stuffed the stat sheet and made Simpson into legitimate IIAC contenders. He is second in Division III with 46.5 yards per punt and 21st in total offense at 269 yards per game. Donnenwerth’s favorite target on offense is receiver Dusty Kain who hauled in ten passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns in their upset of Coe College on September 20th. Last week, the Storm manhandled an overmatched Dubuque squad putting up 37 first quarter points before resting the starters in the second half. Donnenwerth finished 12-of-13 for 242 yards in just under 30 minutes of action. A victory against Central in their showdown this week in Pella, Iowa, could legitimize their conference championship hopes.
The other surprise team in the three-headed conference tie is Loras, who just knocked off Central in Dubuque. The DuHawks broke to a 21-14 halftime lead and held on to beat the Dutch 21-20. Dee Hill has paced the running game with just over 100 yards per game and quarterback Matt Hintz has been solid at 227 yards per game through the air. Loras has used the second quarter this season to pounce on their opponents outscoring them 45-14 in that quarter. Loras did receive one first place vote in the preseason coach’s poll and have played like a first place team through three weeks.
If Loras or Simpson want to prove they’re legit they are going to have to knock off Wartburg who has been nothing short of dominant all season. The Knights have outscored their opponents 145-28 and have used their juggernaut defense to open up lopsided victories through the first three weeks of the season. It’s been the H&H show for the Knights all season with running back Brad Hodapp and quarterback Reed Hoskins accounting for over 350 yards of total offense a game. Two-way star Cody Kelley has contributed to the Knights success from both sides of the ball leading the team in interceptions, receiving yards/game and punt returns. It’s beginning to appear as though the IIAC conference championship goes through Waverly as Simpson, Coe and Central will all have to win their to have any chance of winning the conference crown.
Although the season is young, the IIAC appears to be having a changing of the guard. And while three-way ties are no surprise to IIAC followers, the fact that Coe and Central are winless three weeks into the season is anything but expected.
 Matt Diercks knows how to kill a drive. Photo by Jon Scott |
Gustavus defensive back Matt Diercks became the third player in Division III this season to return an interception 100 yards for a touchdown. With the Gusties on top 21-0 midway through the second quarter, Augsburg had driven to the Gustavus 6-yard line. Auggie quarterback Tony George threw into the end zone where the ball was momentarily juggled and then caught by Diercks just inside the goal line and he took it the other way for six points. Diercks’ return broke the Gustavus school record for longest interception return previously held by Steve Leth who had a 94-yard return against St. Thomas in 1997.
Impressive company, impressive coach
AFCA’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Award boasts a long list of household college names from Paterno to Woody and Parseghian to Bo.
The 2004 winner, Ron Schipper, isn’t as well known but has the respect of peers and players throughout all divisions of college football. Schipper took over the Dutch of Central College in 1961 and in 36 years amassed 287 wins. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and has collected numerous other awards since his retirement in 1996. The Amos Alonzo Stagg Award honors those “whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football.”
“It’s really a special honor,” Schipper said. “My involvement in football for 60 years has been a labor of love. I’ve been blessed and have received more than I’ve given because of the people I’ve worked with. It’s been a fantastic experience.”
Schipper led the Dutch to 36 consecutive winning seasons. His Central teams won a record 18 Iowa Conference championships and claimed 10 crowns in his final 13 years as head coach. During his last 12 years, Central compiled a remarkable Iowa Conference record of 89-5. Central was selected for the Division III playoffs 12 times between 1974 and 1996, including 10 appearances between 1984 and 1996. The Dutchmen won the NCAA Division III national title in 1974 and advanced to the national finals three times, placing second in 1984 and 1988. Central won the West Region championship in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990. He remains involved in Division III, coaching and helping select the Aztec Bowl squad, the Division III senior all-stars which play the Mexican collegiate champion every December.
Freshman gets his kicks
In 2002, Lewis & Clark made only 50% of its PATs and never once attempted a field goal. In search of a kicking game the Pioneers recruited kicker/punter Matt Welch from John Burroughs High in California. On Saturday, he was kicking for the Pioneers and they couldn’t have been happier. With 0:25 seconds to go Puget Sound had the Pioneers down two, but when Welch split the uprights from 23 yards away the Pioneers had found their kicking game and their second win of the season.
Welch also booted five punts for a 50.8 average pinning UPS inside their own five yard line twice.
Games of the Week
Pacific Lutheran at Linfield, McMinnville, Ore., 1:30 p.m. PDT: Many would consider this the “Game of the Year” in the NWC. There are more storylines surrounding this game than Kobe Bryant’s trial: Frosty’s last game in McMinnville … Game 2 of Linfield Football A.R.—After Ray … Linfield’s last NWC loss was to PLU in 2001 … Best NWC passing team (Linfield) against best NWC pass defense (PLU). Although Linfield boasts the title of defending conference champion PLU holds a 6-3 advantage over the last nine meetings. Throw out the stat sheets, conference standings and overall season records because this one won’t be decided on paper — a good rivalry never is.
No. 22 Bethel at UW-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wis., 1 p.m. CDT: It’s the latest border battle for Minnesota and Wisconsin, at least for the regular season. The Blugolds already have a 1-1 record against MIAC opponents and will look to push it to 2-1 with a strong performance at home against Bethel. The Royals however have shown they are for real this year led by the strong arm of preseason All-American Scott Kirchoff and the inspired defensive play of Sam Lacy who blocked two punts against Hamline. The score of this game will likely be compared to the 24-10 defeat the Blugolds suffered at St. John’s for an early comparison of the Royals and Johnnies before their Week 10 showdown.
Simpson at Central, Pella, Iowa, 1 p.m. CDT: It’s homecoming and it’s do or die time for the Central. At 0-2 in the IIAC for the first time since 1978, Central desperately needs a victory against first place Simpson to get back in the IIAC conference race. A win by Simpson would send a clear message to the league that the Storm is for real in 2003. Simpson is 2-0 in conference with victories over Coe and Dubuque and rank nationally in several statistical categories. Led by quarterback Mike Donnenwerth, the Storm put 37 first quarter points on Dubuque. The Dutch certainly won’t allow that but if they allow even the narrowest of victories their chances of repeating as conference champs will be all but dashed.