Another week, another round of great football. Let’s get to it:
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BR-220 Finlandia
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BR-2 UW-Whitewater
BR-220 The Warhawks opened the season with a 62-6 blowout victory over BR-212 Belhaven, rendered all the more impressive when you take into account the fact that the defending champs only passed for 70 yards and a single touchdown.
Rather than air it out, head coach Kevin Bullis opted for the ground ‘n pound game, utilizing running backs Jordan Ratliffe (103 yards, two touchdowns), Dennis Moore (81 yards, one touchdown), Nick Patterson (66 yards, two touchdowns) and Tyler Glass (23 yards, one touchdown) throughout the ballgame. Newly minted QB Chris Nelson finished with just 58 yards and a touchdown on nine passing attempts.
There will come a time when the Warhawks will have to lean on their QB, but this week expect more of what we saw last week — a high powered run game with the occasional pass — especially since Finlandia ranks near the bottom in rushing defense.
After two games played, the Lions have given up 659 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. They surrendered 43 points to BR-204 Alma College in Week 1, and then were gobsmacked by BR-6 UW-Oshkosh 86-0 in Week 2.
Still, it would be nice to see Whitewater air the ball out a little more, if only to prepare for its upcoming WIAC schedule that features stiffer competition.
Things to know:
A win would give the Warhawks their 34th consecutive victory (including playoffs), currently the longest active streak in D3 football — by far.
Don’t be too harsh on Finlandia. This is the football program’s first year, and the schedule maker did them no favors with three-straight bouts against the WIAC — the toughest conference in the division.
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BR-155 Muskingum
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BR-4 Mount Union
BR-155 The Fighting Muskies are looking for their first victory of the season after losing 35-10 to BR-97 Waynesburg in Week 1, but will likely have to continue looking since their Week 2 match-up won’t be any easier.
The Muskies travel to Mount Union to square off against the Raiders, who are coming off a 47-0 victory over BR-136 Bethany — a game that saw new QB Taurice Scott rack up over 200 passing yards and three touchdowns in his first career start under center.
Things to know:
A victory would extend the Raiders home winning streak to 88 games, a record which dates back to 2005.
The Muskies haven’t had much luck against the Raiders in a rivalry that dates back to 1906. According to Mount Union’s athletics site, this marks the 70th meeting between the two clubs. The Raiders currently hold the most wins with a 38-29-2 record versus the Muskies, and have won 26-straight meetings. The last time Muskingum came close to winning was a 17-17 tie back when Johnny Carson was still on the air.
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BR-49 Redlands
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BR-1 Linfield
BR-49 The Bulldogs lost a close game to BR-154 George Fox in their season opener, a 39-35 defeat decided in the final 20 seconds of the contest. Redlands led for most of the game and seemed poised to start the year 1-0 before George Fox went on a 13 play, 85-yard drive that culminated in a game-winning touchdown.
Things wont get easier this week as the Bulldogs travel to Linfield to square off with one of D3 football’s best teams.
The Wildcats opened the year with a convincing 52-14 win over BR-36 Chapman, a game that saw QB Sam Riddle amass 238 passing yards and two interceptions. Wide receiver Spencer Payne finished with six receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
In the meeting last season, Linfield walked away with an authoritative 36-3 win. Riddle threw for 355 yards and two touchdowns in that contest and added 51-yards and an additional touchdown on the ground.
Things to know:
Redlands ground attack is quite stout, featuring running backs Devin Appleton and Curtis Tanquary, who combined for 192 yards last week.
Last week’s win gave the Wildcats their 19th straight Homecoming victory.
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BR-46 UW-La Crosse
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BR-3 Mary Hardin-Baylor
BR-46 After starting the season with a win over BR-81 Luther College, UW-La Crosse couldn’t muster much against BR-11 St. Thomas in Week 2, ultimately losing 51-7. It was an inauspicious start for a team looking for its first-ever winning season.
On the flip side, UMHB got off to a roaring start, crushing BR-126 Ohio Wesleyan 42-3 in Week 1 and annihilating BR-109 Millsaps 65-12 in Week 2. Against the Majors, QB Blake Jackson put up 116 yards and two touchdowns on 10-of-15 attempts, while the running corps combined for over 375 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Things to know:
La Crosse currently ranks 179th in rushing defense, giving up and average of 207 rushing yards in its first two games.
MHMB ranks No 14 in rushing offense, averaging over 300 yards per game. Their running corps already has eight touchdowns on the season.
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BR-68 Christopher Newport
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BR-7 Wesley
BR-68 Wesley showed why it ranks among the top teams in D3 football with a 44-3 win over BR-80 Frostburg State in Week 1. Quarterback Joe Callahan finished with 424 yards and a whopping five touchdowns, while running back Jamar Baynard chipped in 136 yards on 18 attempts.
Defensively, the Wolverines held Frostburg to just 201 yards of total offense and zero touchdowns.
Christopher Newport enters this contest having gone 1-1 in the first two weeks. The Captains defeated NJAC rival BR-143 College of New Jersey 31-21 in Week 1, then lost to BR-43 Hampden-Sydney College 24-9 in Week 2.
Things to know:
The Captains went 8-4 last season, won a conference title (their last in the USA South Conference) and earned a playoff bid. After defeating BR-39 Delaware Valley in the opening round, the Captains lost to BR-27 Widener 37-27.
Wesley leads the league in per-game passing offense after one week of play, thanks to its 479-yard performance in Week 1.
