Staff Blog

Coe Recap

It was a frustrating day for the Luther College Norse at Clark Field in Cedar Rapids Saturday. It was an opportunity to win their fifth game in a row and take a big step in finishing as well as third in the Iowa Conference. Unfortunately, the Norse didn't play well enough to win. Thus a 24-17 loss.

Now a breakdown.

Coe made plays at the quarterback position. Luther did not. Andy Tekippe was able to elude Norse defenders all afternoon. Plays that the Norse were getting sacks the last four weeks, Tekippe was able to do positive things for the Kohawk offense, with both his arm and legs. He was 19-33 for 215 yards with two touchdowns and one pick. Tekippe also ran the ball for 48 yards on eight carries.

Justy Feldt for the Norse struggled all afternoon. As comfortable as the offense looked last week, was as uncomfortable as he looked this week. Feldt was 15-27 for only one hundred yards, was sacked twice and threw two interceptions as well as one touchdown. Feldt made some poor decisions and also missed some open receivers. Feldt did make some nice throws that were also dropped by receivers. For whatever reason, whether lack of execution on the offense's part or Coe's defense playing well, (most likely a little bit on both), the passing game just wasn't in sync Saturday. We mentioned as one of the keys to the game in facing a good Coe defense is getting many people involved in the offense. Unfortunately, the Norse were one dimensional with Tyler Sherden being the only guy on offense.

Two key turning points in the second half. After the Norse were able to score on the first possession of the second half set up by a special teams return from Sherden, the kickoff coverage on the ensuing kickoff was good, with Matt Reyhons tackling Nick Ratchford at the 29 yard line. But then Joe Taylor was called for a late hit out of bounds. Instead of forcing Coe into what would have been their worst field position of the day, Coe started at the 44. Six plays later we have a tie ballgame. Start at the 29, the Norse keep the momentum. Starting at the 44, it didn't happen.

After that touchdown Mike Tangen was able to return the ensuing kickoff to the Coe 42. Then Tangen was hit out of bounds, giving the Norse possession at the Coe 27. But it was a one yard pass to Jesse Kent, a negative two yard pass to Sherden, a sack of Feldt that lost ten and Feldt overthrowing Sherden on a fourth and 21. Convert that drive, with the wind at your back, into points, momentum back on your side. Didn't happen, Coe took the monmentum back for good.

Statistically, the Norse were prehaps a little lucky that the margin was only a touchown. Despite running three more plays offensively, the Norse were outgained 389 to 277. Coe averaged 5.3 per play and 4.3 per rush. The Norse averaged 3.6 per play and per rush. The defense also struggled to get off the field on third down, with the Kohawks converting seven of 15 on third downs. Coe came in the worst team in the Iowa conference at converting third downs. Not to mention, Coe kickoff Elliott Rausa missed three field goals from inside 25 yards. Credit Trevor Theobald and Cody Webb for the blocks, but an 18 yard field goal hitting the upright and the kicker not getting enough height on the ball in at least one of the two misses, the Coe special teams unit has a lot to work on. And finally, penalties. Seven flags for 53 yards. 15 penalties the last two weeks ago. Way too many to be successful.

Finally, the simple things. Field position and turnovers. For the first time since the Wartburg game, the Norse did not win the turnover battle. It was even on the day at two a side. It's a battle that Luther has won the last four weeks, hence four victories. Saturday, it didn't happen. But the reason Coe football has been solid over the years is because they don't beat themselves. They certainely didn't Saturday. Field position battle was definately in Coe's favor. Coe averaged starting at its own 46, Luther averaged starting at its own 31. That's a minus 180 yards in hidden yardage. You're not going to win when that happens.

Now, it's back home for the final Carlson Stadium presentation of the year against Simpson. It's a winnable football game. But the little things must be won by the Norse, the offense must perform better, the defense must be more sticky and the kicking game has to step it up. If that doesn't happen, the Storm could come in and steal the thunder next Saturday.

Published Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 9:33 AM by Darin Svenson

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