Games to watch for 2005
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As a kid, I remember listening to local broadcaster Kevin Harlan belt out his patented phrase whenever something really exciting was about to happen.
“Hold on folks, buckle up,” would rumble from his baritone voice.
If you heard that saying, whatever followed was sure to border on the spectacular.
Harlan eventually made the climb to the national networks and his trademark line was rarely heard in the Minnesota sports scene.
As the 2005 football season begins in the West Region, there is sure to be spectacular moments, moments that make you scan the box score twice, moments that make parents cry, coaches hug and players thump their chests.
High school legends will become “big men on campus” and conference champions, like Harlan, will become fixtures on the national scene.
The following will highlight games each week that you should put on your calendar. They are games where conference titles could be decided, games where traveling trophies are up for grabs and games where nothing but pride is on the line.
It’s finally September, the season is here and good things are ahead.
Hold on folks, buckle up!
Week 1: Sept. 3
St. John’s at UW-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wis., 7:00 p.m.
One of just two games in Week 1 featuring two Top 25 teams, this border battle is the nightcap of a day full of West Region action — UW-Stevens Point hosts Hardin-Simmons in another key battle that afternoon. The Johnnies are looking for revenge after falling 30-28 in 2004 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 1997.
La Verne at Pomona-Pitzer, Claremont, Calif., 7:00 p.m.
La Verne and Pomona-Pitzer jump immediately into their conference schedule while many other teams feel out non-conference opponents. Both teams finished at 3-3 in the SCIAC last season and the winner of this game should get an early leg up for a higher finish in 2005.
Dubuque at UW-Platteville, Platteville, Wis., 7:00 p.m.
The “Battle of the Bridge” is the newest rivalry in college football. The Dubuque Spartans and UW-Platteville Pioneers will battle in the first game in Platteville’s renovated 10,000-seat Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium with new ProGrass artificial surface. Located on opposite sides of the Mississippi River, these two schools will now battle for a traveling trophy. They haven’t played each other since 1988.
Week 2: Sept. 10
IIAC vs. MIAC All games start at 1:00 p.m.
Four games between MIAC and IIAC foes will decide bragging rights for these conferences from neighboring states. Wartburg hosts Augsburg; St. Thomas hosts Coe; Bethel hosts Central; and Luther hosts St. Olaf. Last year, the four games in Week 2 were decided by a combined 14 points with St. Thomas, St. Olaf, Wartburg and Central all prevailing. These inter-conference rivalries are one benefit of Upper Iowa and Macalester departing from their respective conferences in recent years.
Redlands at Whitworth, Spokane, Wash., 12:30 p.m.
One of many SCIAC vs NWC matchups taking place this season. Last year, this matchup was high scoring and down to the wire. Whitworth prevailed 52-49, but it took over 59 minutes to crown the winner.
Week 3: Sept. 17
Coe at Central, Pella, Iowa, 1:00 p.m.
Coe and Central have spent the last three season as near mirror images of each other. IIAC tri-champs in 2002 at 8-1 with Wartburg, followed by disappointment in 2003 at 3-5. Last year they were separated by one win with Coe tying for the conference championship. Look for them to once again be on each others heels through the 2005 season as both fight for a piece of the conference crown.
UW-Stevens Point at Linfield, McMinnville, Ore., 1:00 p.m.
The Wildcats needed three Brett Elliott fourth quarter touchdown passes to pick up a huge 46-35 road victory in 2004. The Pointers are one of a few teams with a legitimate chance of knocking off the defending national champions.
Week 4: Sept. 24
Cal Lutheran at Occidental, Los Angeles, 7:00 p.m.
Occidental should run away with the SCIAC title this year but Cal Lutheran is one team that could slow them down. Occidental won easily in 2004, 24-7, but the Kingsmen are much improved over last season and ready to make waves in the SCIAC.
Wartburg at Luther, Decorah, Iowa, 1:00 p.m.
Wartburg and Luther were picked by the conference coaches to finish first and second in the IIAC, respectively. Look for both teams to rack up a lot of yards on the ground as both teams battle for an early season jump on the conference crown.
Week 5: Oct. 1
Pacific Lutheran at Linfield, McMinnville, Ore., 1:30 p.m.
On paper, this game shouldn’t last a quarter. However, the deep rivalry between these to storied NWC programs means you can’t count out the Lutes. The Wildcats should have a great crowd as it will be Family Weekend in McMinnville.
Willamette at Puget Sound, Tacoma, Wash., 1:30 p.m.
NWC opponents should hear a lot from Puget Sound this season. After losing 21-19 at Willamette in 2004, the Loggers are poised to gain revenge against the Bearcats in Tacoma.
Week 6: Oct. 8
St. John’s at Bethel, Arden Hills, Minn., 1:00 p.m.
It’s been four long years since the last time St. John’s played at Bethel. In that time the Royals are 0-4 having been outscored 131-52 in those games. However, the last time the Royals welcomed St. John’s to Arden Hills, the Royals prevailed 43-36.
Linfield at Whitworth, Spokane, Wash., 12:30 p.m.
The NWC conference title could be on the line when Linfield travels to Whitworth. The Pirates gave the eventual national champions all they could handle last year in a 48-37 loss. The game will highlight many of the best offensive players in the conference and the country.
Week 7: Oct. 15
Carleton at Macalester, St. Paul, 1:00 p.m.
This non-conference battle between former conference opponents is about more than just who has more points when the final horn blows. These two academically renowned institutions battle for the traveling trophy known as the “Book of Knowledge”. After outscoring Macalester 100-27 in their last two games, the Knights look a bit smarter than the struggling Scots.
St. John’s at Concordia-Moorhead, Moorhead, Minn., 1:00 p.m.
Concordia looks to defend their 2004 MIAC conference title when they welcome St. John’s to Moorhead. While the Cobbers have lost many of the main contributors from their championship team, they return conference MVP Brian Schumacher and will try to knock off St. John’s in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1980-81.
Week 8: Oct. 22
Redlands at Occidental, Las Angeles, 7:00 p.m.
One of these two programs has claimed the SCIAC crown every year since 1999. While defending champ Occidental is favored in this one, Redlands is poised to reclaim the top spot they last held in 2003. Occidental was two touchdowns better in 2004, winning 42-28 at Redlands.
UW-La Crosse at UW-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wis., 11:30 a.m.
La Crosse won the WIAC last season but one of their two conference losses came to UWEC. If the Blugolds can beat La Crosse at home this season and not overlook other opponents, they are prime contenders for the WIAC title in 2005.
Week 9: Oct. 29
St. Olaf at St. John’s. Collegeville, Minn., 1:00 p.m.
Last year, the Oles used a sloppy field and eight St. John’s turnovers to pull off the upset win. Their trip to Collegeville in 2005 will pit them against an angry Johnnie squad looking to show last year’s 21-19 loss was a fluke.
Occidental at Pomona-Pitzer, Claremont, Calif., 1:00 p.m.
These two teams will battle for the Drum in what is now one of the oldest college football rivalries west of the Mississippi and one of the ten oldest in the country.
Week 10: Nov. 6
Willamette at Whitworth, Spokane, Wash., 12:30 p.m.
Many fans in McMinnville, OR, consider this the battle for second place in the NWC. Willamette beat the Pirates last year to claim second place but Whitworth returns plenty of talent to challenge for second place and even the conference title in 2005.
Central at Wartburg, Waverly, Iowa, 1:00 p.m.
Last season, I had the pleasure of attending this game and getting a taste of campus life at Central. The game was phenomenal as most rivalries are. 2005 looks to be no different as both teams are picked to finish well in the IIAC.
Week 11: Nov. 13
St. John’s at St. Thomas, St. Paul, 1:00 p.m.
Two years ago, the Tommies were almost able to postpone history before losing 15-12 and allowing John Gagliardi to tie the all-time wins mark at 408. Last year, the two teams finished at 6-2. The rivalry seems to be picking up again and even if the game isn’t very good the student-body created T-shirts usually are.
West Region Top Five
1. Linfield
2. Occidental
3. St. John’s
4. UW-La Crosse
5. St. Norbert
Reminder
One guy covering five conferences means I could always use your help on story ideas. If you have feedback on a story, have a human interest story idea or want to email me for any other reason, I can be reached at adam.johnson@d3football.com.