GAME OF THE WEEK

Gustavus Adolphus at Hamline, 7 p.m. Saturday: Two of the MIAC's five unbeaten teams meet at Hamline. The Pipers are hoping for the school's first .500-or-better record since 1995, and the MIAC opener against visiting Gustavus will be a great measuring stick. Gustavus, led by the passing combination of QB Mitch Hendricks to brothers Matt and Gabe Boyce (each with 18 receptions already), is hoping to contend for its first title since 1987.

WEEK 2 STORY LINES

• Has anyone had a tougher opening schedule than Minnesota Duluth? After opening at Minnesota State Mankato, ranked No. 1 nationally in NCAA Division II, the Bulldogs travel to unbeaten Sioux Falls on Saturday. Sioux Falls is ranked No. 6 nationally by D2Football.com, UMD No. 7.

• It will be St. John's running back Sam Sura against the always tough Concordia (Moorhead) defense, yielding only 189 yards rushing in two games, Saturday at Moorhead in a battle of MIAC unbeatens. St. John's is ranked No. 8 nationally by D3Football.com.

• Minnesota State Moorhead, which last had a winning season in 2006, is 2-0 and on a five-game winning streak dating to last season. The Dragons play host to Augustana, also 2-0, on Saturday in a matchup of two of the NSIC's three highest-scoring teams.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlie Hayes, WR, Augustana: The former Lakeville North standout had 11 catches for 266 yards and four touchdowns in last week's victory over St. Cloud State. The four TDs tied the school single-game record, and he was a yard short of a tying the school yardage record.

Mason Bloomquist, LB, St. Scholastica: The junior had 10 tackles, including three sacks, plus an interception that led to the first Saints TD, in a 22-10 victory over MacMurray College. He returned a fumble recovery for a TD in a season-opening loss to Ripon.

BY THE NUMBERS

.778 Nonconference winning percentage of MIAC teams this season (14-4).

50 Average points per game by unbeaten Sioux Falls, tied for No. 5 nationally in Division II scoring.

325 Yards of total offense per game by Augsburg dual-threat quarterback Ayrton Scott, who ranks No. 5 in the MIAC in both passing yards and rushing yards.

Dennis Brackin