Staff Blog

Don't Be Fooled by the record

The title of this blog is the theme of the week. Things are rolling with the Norse football program presently with four straight victories. Coe currently has lost three games in a row. That fact alone would make the Norse a favorite going into Saturday, and perhaps they are. But Coe had an October schedule similar the Norse early season schedule. Coe has lost to Dubuque, Central and Wartburg in the last three weeks. Just like the Norse were earlier in the season, Coe will be hungry for a win Saturday. Coe is a solid football team and wants to stay at the top of the league. Luther has gotten there and doesn't want to give it up. Both teams are 4-3 overall. Luther is 3-2 in league play and Coe is 2-3.

The number one key to Saturday will be an obvious one, taking care of the ball. It's something Luther has done a good job of that during the winning streak. Coe comes in second in the league with a plus ten turnover ratio and has forced 18 turnovers, a solid number in only seven games. Luther has won the turnover battle in five of the seven games, including the last four games. That's something that needs to continue Saturday.

Both teams are very good at playing defense by using their offense. Luther is second in the league at 31:34 time of possession per game. Coe is third at 31:28. Since both teams rely on the time of possession statistic heavly, the team that has the ball more will go a long way to winning the ballgame. Time of possession is sometimes an overrated statistic. Saturday I belive it will be very important.

Preventing the key play at the key times. The defense was very solid in getting three and outs last Saturday. On third down conversions, Waldorf was 1 of 17. Coe comes in last in the conference on third down conversions at only 24 percent. To go along with that, the defense must put Coe is difficult situations on third down. That means first and second downs will be key on defense.

The Kohawks bring a lot to the table defensively. Coe is third in the league defensively giving up less than 300 yards per game. They also give up only 14 points per game, which ranks as second in the league. Coe is the second best team in the conference at stopping the run as well. Last week against Waldorf, the Norse had its most diversified attack of the season getting multiple people involved in the offense. The offense will need the efforts of Tyler Sherden, Justy Feldt, Jesse Kent, Tony Brantner and others to work together in the effort to get the victory.

Final point, the boring stuff according to coach Hefty, the little things mean a lot. Special teams, field position, big plays and turnover ratio. You look at Coe over the years, nothing ever sticks out statistically, but they win because of doing the little things well. Luther has won those battles over the last four weeks. They need to win them again Saturday in Cedar Rapids.

Opportunity is knocking. The Norse have a legitimate chance at finishing third in the league. I will nowhere near will call it a guarantee, but the chance is there. An opportunity. What will Luther do when the door opens? That's a question we'll answer over the last three weeks.

Published Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 8:50 AM by Darin Svenson

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Don't Be Fooled by the record

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