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It's another case of a couple of teams trying to get to the top division of the Iowa conference Saturday as Luther takes on Buena Vista for Homecoming 2007. The Norse will be looking to win its third game in a row. The Beavers have won nine in a row in the series, the longest current losing streak for the Norse against any Iowa Conference opponent. Most of the time it has been a competitive game, as only five times in the last twenty games between the two schools has the margin been beyond a ten point game. Two of the last three games have went to overtime, including a Beaver 30-27 win last year.

Buena Vista will test an improved Norse secondary. Quarterback Chris Hawkins was the player of the week in the Iowa Conference last week in a 42-7 win over Cornell. Hawkins was 18-27 for 285 yards and passed for six touchdowns, including three to receiver Randy Kaufman. The six touchdown passes tied a conference record and set the school record. The Beavers come in passing for 218 yards per game, while the Norse give up 217.8 yards per game. Luther statisically has the advantage in the ground game, as Buena Vista is averaging 63.2 yards per game rushing, last in the conference, and Luther is giving up one hundred yards per game on the ground, which is third in the league. With the solid play of the front seven all year it seems the running game could be held in check. But Hawkins and the Beaver passing attack should be confident after last week's performance.

The Norse are hoping to get more productivity with their offense, after barely getting over two hundred yards in last week's win over Loras. The Duhawk defense was able to keep the Norse in check. The Beaver defense held Cornell in check last week, holding the Rams to 208 yards of total offense. But even with that, the Beavers are giving up 359 yards of offense a game, which is seventh in the league, including 218 yards a game passing. So, statisically the Norse could have the opportunity to have some productivity. But of course games aren't played on paper.

The little things have made a big difference over the last two weeks-special teams, field position and turnover ratio. The Norse have the advantage in the turnover ratio, plus one on the season and plus five over the last two weeks, as compared to the Buena Vista ratio being negative seven. Punting, punt coverage, kick coverage all seem pretty equal. When it comes to field goal kicking, the Norse have the edge statisically, something rare with the great history of kickers that the Beavers have had. Luther is 10-13 on the season in field goals. Buena Vista is 0-2.

Luther comes into the matchup in fifth place in the league at 2-2. Buena Vista is 1-3 and tied for sixth place. Two programs are trying to reach the top of the league. Just like the last few weeks, a win Saturday means one team going to north and the other heading south. If you're coming in for homecoming, stop by and stay hi. If you can't make it, tune in here to kwlc.luther.edu or AM 1240-KWLC Saturday. 12:30 pregame. 1:00 kickoff. Forecast calls for sunny and 60's so it should be a nice day.

Published Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 6:40 AM by Darin Svenson

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