GAME NOTES
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica football team received its first loss of the season last weekend and look to get back on track with another important Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Matchup at the University of Northwestern (Minn.) on Saturday.
Where:
Reynolds Field – St. Paul, Minn.
When:
Saturday at 6 p.m.
Watch: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/unw/
Stats: https://unweagles.com/sports/2012/11/7/gen_1107121456.aspx
Social Media:
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CSSSAINTSFB
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/cssfootball08
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/StScholasticaFootball
St. Scholastica Saints
Stats
Record: 4-1, 2-1 UMAC
Upper Midwest Athletic Conference: Standings | Stats
What You Need To Know about St. Scholastica:
-The Saints were handed their first loss of the season against Martin Luther College on Saturday 27-6.
-CSS threw the ball for only 104 yards, and amassed only 84 total yards.
-The CSS was held to a program-low minus-20 yards rushing and were sacked a program record eight times.
-The Saints average 264.8 passing yards per game, that sits second in the conference and 49
th in Division III.
-The Saints also rank 31
st in the Nation, while leading the conference in Red-zone offense converting on 87.5 percent of trips inside the 20.
-St. Scholastica also leads the conference with total first downs, moving the chains 90 times through five games so far this season.
-CSS is second in the conference in turnover margin, gaining just about one turnover per game. Its turnovers gained (+12) is good for 27
th in Division III.
Players to Watch on Offense:
-Quarterback
Zach Edwards (St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) – Saturday's game was the fewest yards Edwards has thrown for in a game in which he attempted more than 10 passes. Edwards ranks second in NCAA Division III with 18 TD passes.
-Wide receiver
Eddie Lee (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS) – Lee had the second most receptions on Saturday for CSS with three. Lee is second among all receivers with 32 receptions.
-Wide receiver
Mitchell Adrian (Altoona, Wis./Altoona HS) – Adrian led the team with eight receptions, he also scored the Saints lone touchdown in the second quarter. Adrian ranks third in the nation, averaging 9.8 receptions per game.
Players to Watch on Defense:
-Linebacker
Eric Soderberg (Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) – Soderberg again set the pace for the defense, he totaled a program record 22 tackles in the loss. Soderberg ranks third in NCAA Division III averaging 13.6 tackles per game.
-Linebacker
Chase Kleppe (Orr, Minn./North Woods HS) – Kleppe totaled 15 tackles and forced a fumble last week. The freshman is second on the team with 53 tackles on the season.
-Defensive Back
Jake Kukowski (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin HS) – Kukowski had 12 tackles for CSS on Saturday, and two fumble recoveries. Kukowski is tied for the conference lead in fumble recoveries.
Upcoming Opponent:
Northwestern Eagles
Record: 1-4, 1-2 UMAC
What You Need to Know about Northwestern:
-The lone win on the season for the Eagles was a 23-6 victory over Crown College.
-The Eagles were predicted to finish second in the UMAC in the preseason coaches' poll.
-The Eagles defense is giving up 32.2 points per contest, along with 256.8 passing yards per game which ranks at the bottom tier in the UMAC conference.
-George Obitz is second in the UMAC with 56 tackles.
-The Eagles have a balance offense rushing for 165.8 yards per game and throwing for 151.4 yards per game.
-Payton Bowdry is the lead back for the Eagles. Bowdry has carried it 86 times this season for 499 yards and four scores.
-Bowdry ranks third in the conference, averaging 99.8 yards per game.
-Quarterback Damon Clapper is averaging 149.0 passing per game, but has thrown seven interceptions.
-However, Clapper is tied for the most rush yards by a QB in the conference at 207.
-Wide receiver Caleb Sieben is tied for fifth in the conference with 23 receptions.
-The Eagles have only allowed one sack through their first five games, which leads the conference and is fourth in Division III.
-Northwestern doesn't give up many free yards, the disciplined Eagles lead the conference with a mere 45.6 penalty yards per game, good for 57
th in Division III.
-KJ Downey leads the conference, averaging 41.1 yards per punt.
Series Record: CSS leads 7-4 (
Last Meeting: CSS 14-7 – 10/6/2018)
Series History: Each of the last three meetings have been decided by a score of 14-7 with the Saints coming out on top the last two years. It was Northwestern's Homecoming in 2017 when the Saints won 14-7 and it will be Homecoming again this Saturday. Seven of the 11 total meetings have been decided by seven points or less, including each of the last five.
Looking Ahead: The Saints will stay on the road and travel to Greenville, Illinois to face the Panthers of Greenville University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
