GAME NOTES
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica football team faced its second loss of the season last time out on the road against Greenville University (Ill.). After a bye week, the Saints return home for the first time since October 2 to face Iowa Wesleyan University.
Where:
Public Schools Stadium – Duluth, Minn.
When:
Saturday at Noon
Watch: https://csssaints.com/watch/?Live=363&type=Live
Stats: https://csssaints.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Social Media:
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CSSSAINTSFB
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/cssfootball08
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/StScholasticaFootball
St. Scholastica Saints
Stats
Record: 5-2, 3-2 UMAC
Upper Midwest Athletic Conference: Standings | Stats
What You Need To Know about St. Scholastica:
-The Saints will be happy to see October go by the wayside, as the Saints went 1-2 during the month.
-In the two previous games prior to Greenville, the Saints were held to an average of 163 yards through the air, well below their season average
-However, they bounced back with a huge 509 yards passing performance, and 563 total offense in the narrow loss to the Panthers two weeks ago.
-The 509 passing yards was the second most ever by a CSS team, the 563 total yards was the eighth-best total offensive effort in Saints history.
-The Saints average 293.6 passing yards per game, that sits second in the conference and 28
th in NCAA Division III.
-The Saints also rank 75
th in the nation, while leading the conference in red-zone offense converting on 78.3 percent of trips inside the 20.
-St. Scholastica is second in NCAA Division III in total fumbles recovered with 12.
-CSS leads the conference in turnover margin, gaining one turnover per game. Their turnovers gained (+7) are good for 27
th in the country.
-CSS is outscoring teams 81-46 in the second quarter this season, but are being outscored 45-28 in the first quarter.
Players to Watch on Offense:
-Quarterback
Zach Edwards (St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) – Edwards rebounded to throw for 509 yards, the most in a single game in program history. Edwards ranks fourth in the nation with 25.86 completions per game and ranks seventh in points responsible for (166).
-Wide receiver
Mitchell Adrian (Altoona, Wis./Altoona HS) – Adrian led receivers in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He hauled in 11 catches for 202 yards (fourth all-time) and two scores against Greenville. Adrian ranks second in NCAA Division III, averaging 10.1 receptions per game.
-Wide receiver
Reese Jansen (Eden Valley, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins HS) – Jansen had his first career 100-yard receiving game with five receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown against Greenville. Jansen ranks 29
th in the country, averaging 20.96 yards per reception.
Players to Watch on Defense:
-Linebacker
Eric Soderberg (Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) – Soderberg again led the team with 18 tackles against Greenville, he also mixed in a fumble recovery. Soderberg leads NCAA Division III, averaging 8.6 solo tackles per game and second in total tackles per game (13.7).
-Linebacker
Chase Kleppe (Orr, Minn./North Woods HS) – Kleppe was second on the Saints with 15 tackles, including two for a loss, and a sack. He also had two forced fumbles. Kleppe ranks 22
nd in the country, averaging 10.7 tackles per game and leads the UMAC with four forced fumbles.
-Defensive Back
Jake Kukowski (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin HS) – Kukowski ranks third in the conference, averaging 1.2 defended passes per game. He also ranks second in NCAA Division III with three fumble recoveries.
Upcoming Opponent:
Iowa Wesleyan Tigers:
Record: 0-7, 0-5 UMAC
What You Need to Know about Iowa Wesleyan:
-The Tigers are off to a winless start in 2019 and the schedule doesn't get any easier. They finish on the road against CSS and Greenville, then a final home game against the University of Northwestern (Minn.).
-The Tigers rank towards the bottom of the conference for most stats. Yet, they limit free yardage. They rank third in penalty yards per game in the UMAC. Only surrendering 55 yards per game.
-Iowa Wesleyan ranks second in the conference with 11 fumbles recovered, good for sixth in NCAA Division III
-The Tigers also rank second in the conference, fourth in the nation, in allowing only 10.5 yards per kickoff return.
-Iowa Wesleyan is fourth in the UMAC in limiting passers. They allow just over 200 yards per game through the air.
-Jaheem Hampton is tied for the conference lead with 10 passes defended.
-Kenyon Bagley leads the Tigers with 132 rushing yards on 57 carries.
-Leo Alvarez has 654 passing yards on the season and four touchdowns. He has connected with his favorite target, Jacob Santos, 21 times for 176 yards and one score.
-Comal Phillips leads the defense with 47 tackles, while Chris Hawthorne has eight tackles for a loss.
-David Campos leads the conference with two blocked kicks.
Series Record: CSS leads 6-0 (
Last Meeting: CSS 44-20 – 10/27/2018)
Series History: CSS has won every meeting between the two squads. They have outscored the Tigers 256-86 in those games. The Saints have only failed to reach 40 points once in the six meetings, which was in a 38-28 victory in 2017.
Looking Ahead: The Saints will travel to the University of Minnesota Morris for their final road game of the season next Saturday, November 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
