All offseason on our Pigskin Breakdown shows we were talking about the great opportunity for Iowa Top 3 teams in the state to raise the profile of the Iowa D3 teams and their conferences profile in the National Arena.
The American River Conference has raised its profile over the last decade to the point of being considered, nationally and statistically, a top-5 conference. This fall set up with some major tests and opportunities in the Non-Conference schedule.
Dubuque, Coe, and Wartburg Scheduled the Big Boys
Dubuque scheduled two WIAC teams (UW-Stout and UW-Platteville), and in both games it would have been a big surprise to see them pull off a win. They had much better shot against UW-Stout, but Stout closed big late and won 34-20. The UW-Platteville game was much tougher as UWP is top 5 in the country, but in this rivalry game it was over shortly after the whistle, and the Spartans were run off the field and only managed 25 yards of offense in the lopsided shutout loss. 2 big at-bats for the A-R-C and long shots but 0 for 2
Coe stepped up and scheduled defending National Champion UW-River Falls and UW-Oshkosh from the WIAC. UW-River Falls was a physical mismatch and dominated the Kohawks. It was a rough day and being at the game it was apparent to me shortly after kickoff that Coe would have to play a great game and get some breaks. They did not and UWRF dominated in an easy victory. UW-Oshkosh was a toss-up game (Coe was a solid underdog against UWRF) and Coe lead at the start of the 4th quarter, but the wheels came off the wagon and they got dominated in the fourth losing 28-7 on Saturday. Two big at bats for the A-R-C and Coe was 0 for 2.
Wartburg stepped up big with an unreal non-conference schedule that started their annual Monmouth game – a solid top 40 program, but the Scots are not on the same plane as the Orange men from Waverly. They got down early and, after half erased a deficit and pulled away for a solid win (An expected win for Wartburg who have beaten the Scots every year for many years running).
The next week #1 North Central came to Waverly and the Knights had a gritty effort, falling by 6. A late score by the Knights made it look closer than it may have been, and going into the 4th they were right there. The 4th did not work out, and Wartburg fell but the stat sheet looked like North Central was the better team and that the Knights to their credit almost pulled a big upset. Yesterday was a different story as UW-River Falls a week after dominating Coe came in Waverly and dominated the stat sheet. The 31-14 score included a kickoff return for a touchdown by Wartburg. The Knights were smothered in the run game getting only 35 yards rushing (1.6 yards per carry) on 22 carries. The Knights got to the plate for three at bats got a solid single and two outs.
Central College and Simpson College scheduled two solid non-conference games with teams in the 40-75 range nationally against Augustana and Gustavas Adolphus, and winning would have helped the A-R-C as these were solid non-conference games but they both lost these games.
Sept. 18 a break-the-glass-ceiling day, but the attempt failed
In spite of the lost opportunity to close that national gap this year being missed the year os far from over and the conference season starts.
Week 3 DIII Scorecard
Luther A+: The Norse won their second game this year and coming off two straight winless seasons, a dominant shutout win is an A+++ Paper. Joining the Midwest Conference (MWC) gives the boys in blue on the blue turf a much better chance to be competitive. With their new investments in facilities, the Norse have a good shot long-term at being a top-tier MWC team. Congrats to Coach Troche and team they are building in Decorah.
Central A: Central took the long road trip to Jackson, MS to play a solid Bellhaven program in a game they were expected to win by around 14 points. They met expectations and put a solid win on the board today.
Loras A: The DuHawks went up to play in Minnesota in a game they were projected to win by 10 points. Winning going away by 36 points and getting to 2-1 is definitely an A paper. Brandon Novak as a first-year head coach, and the DuHawks are putting together a good start on the bluffs this fall.
Teams who struggled this week in class
Cornell D+: Heavy underdogs at home to Monmouth and projected to lose by 34 means losing by 35 is almost covering. But losing by 35 is still not a fun day and not a passing grade.
Buena Vista D-: In a game they were favored by 10. It was great opportunity to get a W and going home with a close loss stings and not the grade the Beavers wanted.
Grinnell F+: was a heavy underdog at Lake Forest but 63-0 is a tough day in the classroom and a long bus ride home.
Coe and Wartburg are proud D3 Programs both being NCAA DIII playoff teams the last three years running, and it’s burn the tape and rally the troops time and reset. Their season is far from over and the Automatic Qualifier for the A-R-C Awaits.
Editors Note; Nebby Wesleyan C- lost as expected but progress was shown. We rate the Wolves as they are the only non-Iowa team in the A-R-C.
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