GAME OF THE WEEK

Gustavus Adolphus (3-3, 2-2 MIAC) at St. John's (6-1, 4-1), 1 p.m., Saturday: The Gusties, who opened the season 3-1, bring a two-game losing streak into the game. The Johnnies, ranked No. 7 in the AFCA Division III poll, are on a three -game winning streak. In the past two weeks the Johnnies have defeated Augsburg (49-3) and Carleton (35-0) to improve to 16-0 in October in coach Gary Fasching's five seasons. The Johnnies have won 28 of the past 30 meetings in this series.

WEEK 8 STORYLINES

• St. Cloud State is enjoying its best season since 2013. The Huskies (5-2, 2-1 NSIC North), who play at Mary in Bismarck, N.D., are averaging 207 yards passing and 172 yards rushing per game. The Huskies, who were 12-2 in 2013, were 6-5 in 2014 and 2015. Last season the Huskies lost three of their last four games to finish 5-6.

• In 2011, David Franta, Carter Hanson and Sam Lee helped Blue Earth Area go 10-2 and win a section title. The next season, Franta and Hanson led the Bucs to an unbeaten season and the state Class 3A title. All three went on to play college football and in the past two years all three have been nominated for a prestigious national student-athlete award. Last year, Hanson, who played at St. John's, was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, given to the player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. This year, Lee, a senior at Augustana, and Franta, a senior at St. John's, are semifinalists for the award.

• Other area players who are nominees for the Campbell Trophy are Josh Dalki (Bethel), Jacob Krause (Bemidji State), Isaac Seering (St. Thomas) and Brian Sumption (Northern State). Dalki, Will Gillach of St. John's and South Dakota State's Jake Wieneke, a senior from Maple Grove, have been named to the 22-player AFCA Good Works Team.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Zach Edwards, QB, St. Scholastica: The sophomore from West St. Paul, in his first season as a starter, leads the UMAC in passing yards (1,788) and touchdown passes (17).

Javian Roebuck, RB, Winona State: The sophomore from Avondale, Ariz., who is in his first season with the Warriors, is fifth in the NSIC in rushing yards (566). The transfer from Glendale (Ariz.) C.C. rushed for a career-high 170 yards and two TDs in the Warriors' 28-10 victory over Concordia (St. Paul) last week.

BY THE NUMBERS

35 Victories (in 35 games) by St. John's over Carleton. The Johnnies defeated Carleton 35-0 last Saturday.

83 Yards in total offense allowed by Minnesota Duluth in a 41-0 victory at Northern State. It's the fewest yards allowed by the Bulldogs since 2009.

100 Games played in its 11-year program history by St. Scholastica. The Saints improved to 71-29 all-time with a 56-21 victory over Martin Luther last week

JOEL RIPPEL