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Norse coach Mike Durnin told me last week Central is a football program that sets the standard for NCAA Division three football. Numerous Iowa conference championships, playoff apperances and is the only school in the state to win a national title. That said, it's really sweet to beat them and that's exactly what Luther was able to do on Saturday.

Of course, the game changing play was the Alex Mierau record setting 97 yard interception return for a touchdown late in the first half. It was game changing in two ways. One, it kept Central out of the end zone. Central scores there, it's a 14-6 ballgame and the game has a different tone from that point. There's even a different tone if it's 10-6. But to keep them off the board, and score yourself, Central was not the same team after that point.

Another key point in the game that won't get as much attention is after the Central first score. After the Dutch scored with 4:42 left in the first quarter, the Norse rallied back with a 62 yard, eight play drive in 3:52 ending with a Chris Reynolds to Eric Olson 15 yard touchdown reception. An answer there was important meaning the Norse could take the first punch and counter it. It sent the message to Central that they were going to be in for a ballgame.

The defensive performance left a lot to be desired against Simpson a week ago. This week, different story, especially in the second half. Central had five first downs in the second half, but three came on the final drive when the Norse were playing preventive. The two before that were on a fake punt and a penalty on the same drive. That's controlling things. Six of Central's 14 drives were three and out and another was a four and out. Central, who was perfect in the red zone coming into the ballgame, was only one for three on Saturday afternoon. It was the type of effort that many of us expected from the defense on a game in game out basis this season. You could tell the defense was upset at themselves for their performance against Simpson.

Balanced offense was another key to Saturday's victory. The Norse rushed for 186 yards and passed for 199 yards. Freshman quarterback Chris Reynolds accounted for 300 yards of offense, passing for 199 and rushing for 101 yards, including a 58 yard touchdown run. Running back Derek Leigh had a decent day, rushing for 84 yards on 24 carries and is looking more comfortable as time goes by. Jerry and I have talked about the need for consistency on offense all season. Slowly, but surely, Luther is reaching that level.

Luther has defended it's home field in conference play, knocking off Dubuque and Central, two teams that were picked towards the top of the league. The Iowa Conference was rattled a bit on Saturday, with Luther beating Central and Buena Vista taking the conference lead with a victory over Wartburg in Storm Lake. BV will travel to Loras this weekend in a battle of unbeatens. Defending the home field will be crucial to see who wins this league and you'll need to steal some on the road.

Breaking it down, road teams are 4-8 in the league so far, with Coe winning twice (but also losing at home to Loras, albeit in controversial way) and Wartburg. The Norse have only two home games left this season, three in-conference and four total games are left away from Carlson Stadium. To take this program to the next level, wins on the road are necessary. And based on what has happended to this point, they will be anything but easy.

Published Monday, October 6, 2008 at 7:59 AM by Darin Svenson

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