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With one week in the regular season to go,
there is still a lot at stake for a few teams in the Northern Sun. This week's
Super Region 3 rankings came out, and while the NSIC holds a strangle hold on
the top two spots, it looks to me, that the only two teams that are likely to
get into the playoffs from the Northern Sun are Minnesota State and Minnesota
Duluth.
The Mavericks are 10-0, and will have a scary
test in the season's final week against St. Cloud, while Minnesota Duluth who
sits at 9-1 has a tough match up themselves with Winona State this week. But the
more interesting portion comes in after that. So if those two are in, one team
is in from the RMAC, which means that three of the spots in the six team Super
Region 3 are taken.
Grand Valley State is going to be in, so that
makes four, and Saginaw Valley State and Hillsdale are both at 8-2. Between the
two right now Saginaw Valley State is sitting in front of Hillsdale, while
Hillsdale though is the one team who beat Grand Valley State. All bets are off
if either of them would somehow lose this week, but right now it looks to me
like all three of those teams from the GLIAC are into the playoffs.
That leaves Bemidji State, Wayne State, Winona
State, and Augustana on the outside looking at a bid for the Mineral Water Bowl.
Being that all three could finish at 7-3 in the Northern Sun, it would come down
to tiebreakers. Well, the second tie breaker would be which team is ranked
higher in the Super Region three rankings, and it looks like at least for now, a
Bemidji State win, would put them in. Although, you never know with these
formula's what's going to happen from week to week. The main thing is that
Bemidji State holds a tie breaker over Wayne, because they beat the Wildcats
head to head, and if they are next to each other in the rankings Bemidji will
jump over Wayne State.
Three of these teams find themselves in this
position because of just two kicks. Bemidji missed an extra point to tie the
game and send it to over time with Minnesota Duluth last week, and Augustana had
two field goals blocked against Winona last week the last was a 23-yarder with
just 4:33 to play that would have put the Vikings in front of Winona State on
Saturday. Obviously had the field goal gone through, and Winona didn't score
again, the Warriors wouldn't even be a part of this conversation.
But the Wildcats, Augustana, and Winona State
all would still have a chance if Bemidji were to lose to Concordia in St. Paul.
So, the bottom line is, we will wait one more week, to see what happens.
To the week that was, Fred Williams had an
outstanding week for St. Cloud State. He tied a school record with four
touchdown receptions in the Huskies 47-0 win over Minnesota State Moorhead.
Williams tied the school record which was previously held by Ben Nelson, the
former Minnesota Viking who caught four touchdowns three different times in his
career. Williams was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week, for that
accomplishment.
The NSIC's Defensive Player of the Week went to
Southwest Minnesota State safety Levi Reiff who intercepted a pass, and returned
it 71-yards to set up the Mustangs first score in their 34-10 win at Northern
State on Saturday. Reiff also led the team with nine tackles in the contest.
That win ended a five game losing streak for Southwest, and was just the second
win for the Mustangs at Northern State in the school's history.
And Minnesota State's Kelvin Rodgers was named
the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week. Rodgers returned a kickoff 78-yards
for a touchdown, and helped to spark a 20-point second quarter for the Mavericks
in their 48-17 win over Upper Iowa in Fayette.
Minnesota State (10-0) at St. Cloud State
(5-5)
Last Year: 16-7 Minnesota State
In the last two seasons, Minnesota State has
intercepted 54-passes. The Mavericks intercepted three passes last week against
Upper Iowa, upping their single season interception total to 27 so far in 2009.
That ties a school record with 27 interceptions, set by last season's team.
Bryce Kinnery had one of those three
interceptions, his fifth of the season. Kinnery has had an interception in four
straight games, which is likely the longest such streak in college football. He
has intercepted five passes on the season, and he is the third member of the
Mavericks who has five interceptions on the season. Troy Jones and Joey Hamilton
each have six.
I have been trying to think if there is a
better secondary in the country, and I'm really not sure there is. You could
certainly make a case for the Mavericks as they lead the nation in interception,
but imagine being an opposing quarterback and looking into their defensive
backfield and seeing Kinnery and Kelvin Rodgers at the corners, and Jones and
Hamilton as safeties.
Now imagine, you are St. Cloud State, and you
head into the rivalry game about to take on the powerful Mavericks without your
top running back Brandon Geiss, who is out for the season, and with your
starting quarterback Mitch Watkins considered to be a game time decision.
The Huskies though do have a solid offense even
without those two running back Jake Mahacek was over 100-yards rushing last week
against Minnesota State Moorhead and in doing so has gone over 2,000 career
rushing yards at St. Cloud. Backup quarterback Derek Stripling has proven
himself the last two weeks as well as he connected with Fred Williams on four
touchdown passes in the Huskies victory last week, and rushed for over 100-yards
the previous week.
Williams was the first St. Cloud receiver to
have four touchdown catches in a single game since former Minnesota Viking Ben
Nelson accomplished that in 2002.
The Mavericks have some injuries of note as
well, obviously quarterback Ryan Fick is out for the season, but additionally
Steve Pachan was hurt in the victory over Upper Iowa last week. I am told though
that he will start against the Huskies on Saturday. In addition, the Mavericks
also expect to get wide receiver Vinny Flurry back this week. That would be a
major boon to the offense just in time to go into the playoffs on a positive
note.
This one I think will be an exciting game,
maybe the game of the week in the Northern Sun, and when they put the Traveling
Training Kit on the line, throw the records out (ok so that's a clich?' I know,
but I couldn't refuse).
These two teams weren't exactly offensively
explosive last year in their match up, the Mavericks won 16-7 in a game that saw
both teams combine to go 5 of 28 (St. Cloud 3 of 13; Minnesota State 2 of 15) on
third down conversions in the game.
The Mavericks haven't won the kit in back to
back seasons since between 1998-2000, but that will change this week, I expect
the Mavericks to win the game, and retain the kit.
Extra Point: The Traveling Training Kit is the
second most unique traveling trophies in college football as voted on by ESPN.
Only the Ye Old Skull trophy which is awarded to the winner of the game behind
Ohio Weseleyan and Wittenburg is considered to be more unique.
Minnesota-Duluth (9-1) at Winona State (7-3)
Last Year: 38-7 Minnesota-Duluth
Minnesota-Duluth won their eighth straight game
last week when they defeated Minnesota-Crookston 44-0.
The Bulldog defense held the Golden Eagles to
just 78-yards of offense and sacked Crookston quarterbacks four times in the
game. Isaac Odim rushed for 147-yards on just 18-carries, as Brad Foss rushed
for 102 yards on 10-carries in the contest.
But the challenge this week is going to be a
lot tougher than Minnesota-Crookston. Winona State has won four of their last
five games, and other than a hard to figure loss at home to Wayne State right in
the middle of those five games, we might be talking about playoffs as a
possibility for the Warriors today.
It might be a long shot, but the Warriors can't
be ruled out of anything just yet, they are in the Top 10 in Super Region 3 at
this point, and a victory over Duluth certainly wouldn't hurt their strength of
schedule any. Would it be enough to get them into the playoffs? I don't know,
but a win over Duluth and for Bemidji and Wayne State could put them into the
Mineral Water Bowl, especially with that victory over Augustana last week.
What's more, the Warriors are playing at home,
where they have already lost two games this year, and considering this is a team
that has always prided itself in winning at home I'd have to think the team will
bring a tremendous amount of pride into that game.
The Warriors also figured out how to win a game, when their rushing game wasn't
at its best, last week, as Greg Preston threw for 325-yards connecting on
touchdown passes of 52 and 54-yards.
Now, how can they beat Minnesota Duluth,
honestly I don't know if they can, but the Bulldogs do still have some
inexperience at the offense's most important position, quarterback. Still
though, Chase Vogler has completed nearly 64-percent of his passes and has
thrown nine touchdowns to just five interceptions.
The Warriors did limit the Augustana Vikings
last week to just 101 yards. But no one runs the ball like Minnesota Duluth, not
even Carson Newman. The Bulldogs have rushed for more than 3,000 yards this
season, meaning they are averaging more than 300-yards on the ground each week.
I think it's going to be tough, it will be close, but I have to take the
Bulldogs to beat the Warriors in Winona.
Extra Point: Winona State last beat Minnesota Duluth in 2003, it was also the
last time that the Bulldogs came to Winona.
Bemidji State (7-3) at Concordia St. Paul
(3-7)
Last Year: 24-12 Bemidji State
There is one thing we know, a win, and Bemidji
State should have a 12th game, maybe. Anyone who knows me knows I am not a big
fan of all of these crazy regional ranking formula's but the one thing that I
think football has right is that they account for head-to-head competition.
Because Bemidji State defeated Wayne State head
to head, any time they and Wayne State are right next to each other in the
rankings, Bemidji State will move ahead of Wayne. So, that means, that Bemidji
with a win, should be the Mineral Water Bowl Representative for the NSIC.
Could something crazy happen, and either they
or Wayne sneak into the playoffs? I'm never going to rule anything out, but I
think Bemidji has the upper hand.
Last week, Bemidji defeated Mary, and in the
game Dustin Kroeplin rushed for 105-yards and two touchdowns, upping his total
to 810-yards and 9-TD's on the season. At this point, 1,000 yards seems
unlikely, but not a bad freshman season for the Beaver running back.
Concordia did give up 469-yards of total
offense to Wayne State last week, and lost it when they gave up a late touchdown
to Wanye State's Nick Pulscher. The Golden Bears have been playing better over
the last few games.
Bemidji intercepted Mary quarterback Henry Lau
three times last week, and Brecke was intercepted twice in their loss to Wayne
State one of those interceptions sparked a six play 82-yard drive that ended in
a Wayne touchdown.
Interceptions have been too much of a theme for
the Golden Bears this year, as Mitch Brecke and Spencer Ohm have combined to
throw 21 of them during the season, Brecke has thrown 14.
They can't afford those turnovers against a
Bemidji team poised to get themselves into the Mineral Water Bowl I like the
Beavers to win in St. Paul.
Northern State (2-8) at Augustana (7-3)
Last Year: 43-7 Augustana
It has been a long two years in Aberdeen. The
Wolves won just one game in 2008, and have won just two in 2009, to this point,
and then came word Tuesday that Northern State University head Coach Chris Boden
has been relieved of his position. He will coach Saturday's game against
Augustana, but that will be the last time he is on the Wolves sideline.
Last week the Augustana Vikings controlled their own destiny. They were in the
driver's seat to get themselves either a Mineral Water Bowl, or an appearance in
the Super Region 3 Playoffs.
That was before they met up with Winona State, a game they inexplicably lost at
home, 23-21. The Vikings gave up way too many yards through the air as Winona
quarterback Greg Preston passed for 325-yards on the afternoon.
The disappointing thing for the Vikings is that they held a 14-0 lead in the
game, but it got away as Winona connected of 52 and 54 yards on the day,
additionally Augustana had two field goals blocked in the game, one at a crucial
point, with just four minutes to go in it.
So that set up the recipe for disaster last week for Augustana. I really don't
see a circumstance that could lead to them to lose this one on Saturday.
Northern moved the ball with some limited success against Southwest on Saturday,
but even when they did, they couldn't turn those drives into points, as they
were 1 of 4 in the red zone. Brian Jark is getting healthier, he had eight
catches for 80-yards and Montrel Richardson is a threat any time he touches the
ball, but the Viking defense is too strong for the Wolves.
The news on Boden doesn't come as a surprise as in the last two seasons Northern
has put together just a 3-18 record.
Last year, Augustana piled up 43-points and rushed for 220 yards, while only
attempting three passes in the game.
I like the Vikings to win the game, but there season will come to an end on
Saturday regardless.
Extra Point: In his five seasons at Northern State, Coach Boden holds an 18-36
career record.
Mary (5-5) at Wayne State (7-3)
Last Year: 31-16 Wayne State
With 2:12 to go in the game, Nick Pulscher broke into the end zone to capitalize
on a 11-play 73-yard drive, which would give Wayne State their go ahead and
eventual game winning score in their 26-21 win over Concordia St. Paul on
Saturday.
The Wildcats put up 469-yards of offense in the game against the Golden Bears on
Saturday and that's nothing new for this Wildcat offense which has put up
450-yards in seven games this season. Additionally the Wildcat defense though
played a big part in their victory on Saturday as they held the Golden Bears to
27 yards rushing in their win.
Mary last week comes into the game off a 21-7 loss to Bemidji State however they
still have a lot to play for as they are playing for a winning season, in 2009.
The Marauders certainly don't want another sub-.500 season, as they lost three
straight to close out the season a year ago, to finish at 4-7 it was their first
losing season since the Marauders have joined the NSIC in 2006.
Despite the final score showing a 15-point win for Wayne last year in Bismarck,
the Marauders and Wildcats each put up an identical 406-yards in their game a
season ago, meaning the game was fairly even. Henry Lau was intercepted twice in
their game last year, and he was intercepted three times last week.
Obviously those turnovers won't help the Marauders, but they'll have to do a
better job at stopping the Wildcat receivers and passing attack than Concordia
did as well. Frederic Bruno finished with 10-catches and 111-yards receiving on
Saturday, while Logan Masters finished with six catches for 94 yards.
Additionally the Marauders will have to get Jamal Lomax going, and try to keep
the ball away from Wayne if they want a chance, but given the fact that the
Wildcats still have a pulse for the playoffs or a Mineral Water Bowl, I think
they'll come away with the win.
Extra Point: The two teams have only met twice before both games have been won
by Wayne State.
MSU Moorhead (2-8) at Southwest Minnesota
State (4-6)
Last Year: 22-8, Southwest Minnesota State
The drought for Minnesota State Moorhead has
been a long one the Dragons have lost five straight games, and have been shut
out in the last two against Northern State and St. Cloud State.
It's not hard to see why the Dragons are
struggling, from the top down the program is in disarray. The offense has been
downright offensive in Moorhead, as the Dragons have been able to run for just
592-yards on the season, additionally freshman quarterback has thrown
21-interceptions. When you turn it over that often, and you can't run, you can't
score points.
On the season the Dragons have scored just
122-points in 10-games, and defensively, it hasn't been a whole lot better. The
Dragons have allowed 387-points on the season, more than three times what they
have scored.
Obviously off of back to back shutouts there
hasn't been a lot for the Dragons to cheer about the last two weeks. Southwest
Minnesota State has not shut an opponent out since 2004, when the Mustangs shut
out Waldorf in Coach Eric Eidsness second career game.
Last week, Southwest broke a destructive five
game losing streak last week with their 34-10 win over Northern State.
That streak ended what had been a promising 3-1
start for the Mustangs this season, and they were able to end it, by running the
football. Zach Wysong ran the ball a season high 26-times for a season high
192-yards in the contest last week.
A 100-yard day for Wysong would give him the
school record for most career 100-yard rushing games, I expect that to happen on
Saturday. Ryan Ratekin needs just over 200-yards passing to reach 3,000 for the
year he also needs just one touchdown to throw 30 in a season. All of that is
reasonable in what should be a decisive Mustang win on Saturday afternoon to
close out the regular season.
Extra Point: Minnesota State Moorhead has been
shut out the last two games, they were also shut out in the second half against
Minnesota State, meaning they have not scored a point in the last 10-quarters,
additionally though they did score one of their touchdowns on a blocked punt
against the Mavericks, which means they have had one offensive touchdown in the
last three games.
Upper Iowa (2-8) at Minnesota-Crookston
(1-9)
Last Year: 37-36 ot Upper Iowa
With a combined record of 3-17 Upper Iowa and
Minnesota-Crookston will meet in the regular season finale.
Minnesota Crookston has been outscored 114-7 in
their last two games against Minnesota-Duluth and Winona State. In the game,
against the Bulldogs the Golden Eagles were held to 78-yards of total offense,
and a -12 yards rushing on the afternoon.
Upper Iowa last week, lost 48-17 at home to
Minnesota State. In the game the Peacocks used three different quarterbacks in
the game. Sam Epsteen was the major bright spot, in the loss for Upper Iowa, as
he rushed for 98-yards on 16-carries and a pair of touchdowns. It was a nice way
for him to cap off Senior Day in Fayette.
I don't think the rushing yards will be as
tough to come by for Minnesota-Crookston this week. The Peacocks have given up
an average of 190-yards rushing in games this season, but Keith McBride didn't
play last week for the Golden Eagles.
I don't really see the Golden Eagles turning
things around after the last two weeks, I'll take the Peacock
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