Area school update: Saturday's games to watch

By JOEL RIPPEL, Star Tribune

Last update: October 9, 2009 - 1:44 AM

SATURDAY'S GAMES TO WATCH

Bethel (3-2, 2-1 MIAC) at St. Olaf (3-2, 1-2), 1 p.m. Bethel will try to regroup after last week's last- second loss at St. John's. Bethel, which led 14-0 early in the fourth quarter, but the Johnnies rallied for a 16-14 victory. With a victory, the Royals can stay within a game of first place in the conference. St. Olaf will try to rebound from a 17-13 loss to Carleton. The Oles trailed 17-0 but scored twice in the final six minutes and had the ball inside the Carleton 15-yard line in the final minute. The Oles defense has allowed only 270 yards rushing (54 per game) and forced 10 turnovers in five games.

Concordia (Moorhead) (2-2, 0-2 MIAC) at St. Thomas (4-0, 3-0), 1 p.m. Concordia (Moorhead) will be looking to avenge a 14-13 loss to the Tommies in Moorhead last season, while the Tommies must avoid looking past the Cobbers to their showdown with St. John's on Oct. 17. After opening the season with victories over Willamette and Valley City State, Concordia has lost to St. John's and Bethel the past two weeks. The Cobbers had five turnovers -- two inside the 25-yard line -- in a 29-10 loss to Bethel. St. Thomas, which is ranked No. 15 in the Div. III poll, has opened MIAC play with impressive victories over St. Olaf (27-16), Hamline (63-10) and Gustavus (45-12). In four games overall, the Tommies have outscored opponents 189-52. Ben Wartman has rushed for 555 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the Tommies.

MSU Mankato (6-0, 3-0 NSIC South) at Concordia (St. Paul) (1-5, 0-2), 1 p.m. A victory over the Golden Bears would give MSU Mankato, which is ranked No. 8 in the NCAA Div. II poll, its first 7-0 start. The Mavericks, who are 6-0 for only the second time in school history (the other time was 1926), are coming off a 36-6 victory over Augustana. Mavericks quarterback Steve Pachan has thrown eight touchdown passes in the past two games. Concordia, which has a three-game losing streak, is coming off a 27-7 loss to Mary. Sophomore Sam Campbell had 184 rushing and receiving yards against Mary. Mankato defeated the Golden Bears 35-0 in 2008.

PLAYERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Adam Meyer, Hamline, QB Meyer, a sophomore from Cold Spring, Minn., passed for a school-record 375 yards in the Pipers' 38-28 victory over Augsburg. In four games, he has passed for 1,020 yards.

Chase Vogler, Minn. Duluth, QB Vogler, a true freshman from Inver Grove Heights, has passed for 731 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He has also rushed for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

BY THE NUMBERS

15 Consecutive victories in NSIC games for Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs, who have also won 12 consecutive NSIC road games, will play at Northern State on Saturday.

20 Consecutive victories by the University of Sioux Falls, which is 6-0 this season. Sioux Falls, which is ranked No. 1 in the NAIA poll, hasn't lost since the NAIA championship game in 2007. The Cougars, who defeated Briar Cliff 41-8 on Thursday, have won 47 of their past 48 games.

75 Times crosstown rivals Carleton and St. Olaf have played for the "Goat Trophy." The teams have played for the trophy since 1931. Carleton defeated St. Olaf 17-13 last Saturday.

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