Area school update: Saturday's games to watch

By JOEL RIPPEL, Star Tribune

Last update: October 22, 2009 - 10:52 PM

SATURDAY'S GAMES TO WATCH

Minnesota Duluth (7-1, 4-0 NSIC North) at Bemidji State (6-2, 3-1), 1 p.m. Minnesota Duluth, ranked No. 7 in the NCAA Division II poll, has won six consecutive games since a 13-10 loss to Central Washington on Sept. 3. The Bulldogs have outscored their past four opponents 184-21. The Bulldogs, who have won 17 consecutive NSIC games, have been led by junior running back Isaac Odim. Odim has rushed for 1,258 yards averaging 8.0 yards per carry and 19 touchdowns. Bemidji State, picked to finish fourth in the NSIC North in the coaches' preseason poll, is coming off solid back-to-back defensive performances. Last week, the Beavers defeated Minnesota Crookston 45-6. Two weeks ago, the Beavers defeated Wayne State, ranked No. 14 in the Division II poll, 21-10.

St. Thomas (5-1, 4-1 MIAC) at Carleton (3-3, 1-3), 1 p.m.

The Tommies, ranked No. 19 in the NCAA Division III poll, will try to rebound from a 20-17 overtime loss at St. John's. Their first loss of the season dropped the Tommies out of a tie for first in the MIAC. Ben Wartman has rushed for 748 yards and Fritz Waldvogel has caught 42 passes to lead the Tommies. Carleton will try to regroup after a last-second 28-21 loss to Gustavus. The Knights led 21-6 early in the third quarter. Two weeks ago, the Knights lost 31-28 to Augsburg. Sophomore Vaughn Schmid has passed for 1,310 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the Knights. He's also rushed for four TDs.

Southwest Minnesota State (3-5, 1-4 NSIC South) at Minnesota State Mankato (8-0, 4-0), 1 p.m.

After opening the season with three victories in its first four games, the Mustangs have lost four in a row. Last Saturday, Southwest lost 29-17 at to Concordia (St. Paul). The Mustangs, who scored 254 points in their first six games, have been held to 24 points in their past two. MSU Mankato, ranked No. 5 in the Division II poll, is 8-0 for the first time in school history. The Mavericks have scored 113 points (while allowing only 17) in the past two weeks victories over Concordia (St. Paul) 54-3 and MSU Moorhead 59-14. It's the final home game of the season for the Mavericks.

PLAYERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Derek Edholm, Bemidji State, quarterback

The junior from Anoka threw a career-high five TD passes in the Beavers' 45-6 victory over Minneosta Crookston. On the season, he has passed for 15 TDs and run for seven.

David Vavra, Bethel, defensive back

Vavra, a sophomore from Cambridge, intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble to help the Royals outlast Hamline 20-17. Vavra also had eight tackles.

BY THE NUMBERS

Touchdown receptions in the past two games for Gustavus receiver Elliott Herdina. Herdina has caught the game-winning TD in the final 20 seconds in each game. He has caught 17 passes in the past two weeks. On the season, he has 35 receptions and seven TD catches.

Kicks blocked by Minnesota State Mankato in its past two games -- four against Concordia (St. Paul) and three against MSU Moorhead. Senior linebacker Kevin Klug blocked two punts against Moorhead last Saturday.

Years since both St. John's and St. Thomas were unbeaten in MIAC play going into their game before last Saturday's matchup in Collegeville. The Johnnies won in overtime 20-17 -- the first overtime home game in Johnnies history.

9,112

Yards in total offense (an NSIC record) for Wayne State quarterback Silas Fluellen. Fluellen had 367 yards last week in a 48-25 victory over Winona State to surpass the previous mark of 8,953 yards held by James McNear of Concordia (St. Paul).

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