GAME OF THE WEEK

Bemidji State (6-1, 3-0 NSIC North) at Minnesota Duluth (6-1, 3-0), 1:05 p.m. Saturday: For the first time in series history (this is the 56th meeting), both teams are ranked. The Beavers, ranked No. 20 in the d2football.com poll, have won three consecutive games since a one-point loss to Sioux Falls. The host Bulldogs, ranked No. 14, have won six straight since losing their season opener. The Bulldogs, who have won 20 consecutive home games, won last year's meeting 14-9. The teams shared the NSIC North Division title last season.

WEEK 8 STORY LINES

• Bethel coach Steven Johnson became the third active Division III coach to reach 200 career victories when the Royals defeated Gustavus 32-17 last week. Johnson, who is in his 28th season at Bethel, has a career record of 200-92-1. The Royals, who are idle this week, have had just two losing seasons under Johnson. Montclair State coach Rick Giancola leads active Division III coaches with 233 victories.

• St. John's QB Jackson Erdmann, who passed for 872 yards and 15 TDs in the Johnnies' first four games, has been sidelined the past three weeks while he recovers from a concussion suffered in the Johnnies' 33-21 loss to St. Thomas. Ben Alvord has started the past three games for the Johnnies and has been nearly flawless. Alvord has completed 35 of 44 passes (79.5 percent) for 574 yards and six TDs with no interceptions while leading the Johnnies to three consecutive victories. The Johnnies play at Gustavus on Saturday.

• The MCAC playoffs begin Saturday with four games: Dakota College at NDSCS, Itasca at Rochester, Vermilion at Central Lakes and Northland at Ridgewater. Rochester, the defending state champion, has been boosted by freshman Treevon Prater, who leads the MCAC with 11 interceptions. The semifinals are Oct. 29, and the championship game is scheduled for Nov. 5 in St. Cloud.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Gena Adams, RB, Bemidji State: The senior from Phoenix is second in rushing yards (769) in the NSIC. He rushed for 152 yards and two TDs in the Beavers' 52-28 victory over Minot State last week.

Alex Berg, LB, Concordia (Moorhead): The sophomore from Moorhead, Minn., leads the MIAC in tackles (10.2 per game). Berg had 12 tackles and an interception in the Cobbers' 34-14 victory over Hamline.

BY THE NUMBERS

3 Blocked punts returned for TDs (a school single-season record) in seven games by St. John's.

3 Quarterbacks in St. Cloud State history who have passed for 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. Nate Meyer has thrown for 2,029 yards this season to become the third.

8 Consecutive games in which Winona State's Cameron Johnson has caught a TD pass.

JOEL RIPPEL