Staff Blog

Dubuque Preview

The Norse will look to close out 2007 on a positive note in a trip to Dubuque. The winner of this game will likely finish in a tie for third place in the conference behind Wartburg and Central. With the Norse picked sixth in the league, that would be a solid accomplishment.

This is a big game for many reasons on the surface. A win would make it three 6-4 seasons in the last four, something that hasn't happened in a while with Luther football. A win would send 27 seniors and coach Naslund out with a victory and positive feelings. It would also unofficially start the 2008 season in a good way with winning six of seven to end the season. Coach Hefty said that would make getting to the weight room and working out that much easier in the off season. After an 0-3 start, I don't think there's many people that would have thought Luther would give themselves an opportunity like they have. Credit everyone associated with the program with that.

Lost in all of the emotion of last week's double overtime win was the fact that the Norse should have put away the Storm earlier in the ballgame. Despite many solid plays on offense, defense and special teams, all aspects helped in getting Simpson back into the game. Granted, credit must be given to the Storm for getting the job done, more consistency is needed on offense, defense and special teams this week. The good thing last week, all three aspects stepped up when necessary. Especially if the Norse get the lead this week, it would be nice to see them step on their throats and not them breath. Getting a lead and keeping one will not be an easy task against a talented Spartan squad.

It will be interesting to see how Dubuque comes out this week. Last Saturday they made the long trip out to Buena Vista and lost to the Beavers 35-14. Will Dubuque come out like the team they were the first eight weeks of the season or will their confidence be shaken? From a Luther perspective, you have to assume the former will be the case.

The Spartans come in the top offense in scoring, rushing and total offense. They're averaging 440 yards and 35 points a game. A large reason for that is senior quarterback Jermar Jackson, one of the better athletes in the league. Jackson provides a nice pass-run threat being the fifth leader passer and the second leading rusher in the league, with only the Norse's Tyler Sherden with more rushing yards. Having a quarterback that can do both causes the defense to respect all aspects of the Spartan offense, creating many opportunities if the rest of the offense executes well. Based on the statistics, they've done that for the majority of the season. To go along with that, Dubuque is also the top team in the league in the red zone.

Defensively, largely due to team speed, the rankings also impressive for the Spartans. They're second in total defense and third against the run. Dubuque also gives up only twenty points per game. So needless to say the Norse offense will have some challenges as well.

But breaking down the game further, I see some keys for Saturday's game.

1. More consistency from all aspects of the game. We've seen a lot of good things from the Luther offense, defense and special teams all season. That said, the Norse have yet to play a full, solid 60 minute game. No time like Saturday for it to start.

2. Defensively, defend the screen and the slant better. Those were two plays that killed the Norse last Saturday. That means playing smart, disciplined but aggressive football. With as much as Dubuque brings to the table offensively, you need to do two things a lot better that killed you Saturday.

3. Also on defense, first down will be key. The Norse need to put Dubuque in third down and long situations. As good as they are offensively, they're only 31 percent on third down which is eighth in the league. That's a stat that the Norse have struggled a lot two weeks ago and a little against Simpson. Sounds simple, but third and longs, at least statistically, will lead to success.

4. Discipline. Discipline. Discipline. The penalties situation improved last week, but key penalties at key times cost Luther in the second. Dubuque comes in as the most penalized team in the conference. So sit back, play hard and let Dubuque make the mistakes related to discipline.

It's been another fun season. A win Saturday will make it more fun and end a remarkable stretch of the final seven games of the season. Also a note, KWLC radio will have a Norse sports doubleheader Saturday. Luther and Dubuque on the football field at noon (11:30 pregame). That night, Mike and I will broadcast the Luther vs. Upper Iowa exhibition women's basketball game at six (5:50 pregame)

Published Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 4:54 PM by Darin Svenson

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