Each week we grade Iowa’s DIII teams versus expectations using the point spreads from Hansen Ratings.
Week Two- Star Students
Cornell A: Curt Ritchie and the Rams with the best D3 Uniforms in Iowa (IMO) had a dominant D with 4 takeaways and pitched a 10-0 Shut out for the win in Mt. Vernon. Much to improve on offensively but winning your first game automatic A.
Simpson A: A Bounce Back at Home as the Storm hammered Crown 52-0 in Indianola. The Storm were heavy favorites, but a 52-0 shoutout anytime, anywhere is a 4.0 on the grade scale.
Wartburg A-: The Knights played unquestioned #1 North Central – who has played in 6 straight DIII National title games in an absolute dogfight in Waverly. What a game and falling just short against the Super Power of DIII Football. The A- Minus paper grade we give the Knights is no consolation to Coach Winter and the boys. They only want wins, and moral victories are not a class they offer in Waverly, so they threw the paper back on the teachers desk. The Knights got a huge opportunity this Saturday against UWRF….
Central B+: The Dutch made the trip up to the twin cities and put it on Northwestern -St. Paul. A strong bounce back win for the Dutch. The Road Warriors from Pella head to Mississippi for a game against Bellhaven this week
Buena Vista B-: The Beavers (best D3 logo in the state IMO) took a long road trip up to Lawrence in Wisconsin and had a solid win to bring back to Storm Lake. Solid work by the Beavs.
Loras C+: The purple boys on the bluff had a tough one on the road and fell just short against a solid team that won at Buena Vista by 27 in week one. Joe Novaks Rock Bowl warriors are off to a solid start. They won’t be happy with a loss but there is progress in DBQ, On Academic Probation for the week.
On Academic Probation but plenty of time to get right this semester
Luther C-: A week after breaking the losing streak in Decorah the Norse headed to Millikin (Decatur IL) and played a solid game. Not a W but progress from Joe Troche and the Blue Faced Norse is apparent this year.
Grinnell D: The Pioneers had a tough one in Chicagoland in a game they were heavy underdogs, but this game got away from them.
Coe D: We saw this game from the sidelines and UWRF is the defending DIII National Champion and top 5 team this year for a reason. Playing the big boys is to be commended but not the day Coach Staker and the boys wanted. Coe has a huge bounce back opportunity next week versus UW-Oshkosh.
Dubuque F+: The Spartans went up Hwy 151 – 20 miles to play top 5 DIII power UW- Platteville (expected National Title Contender in 26 once again) in a game they were heavy underdogs. Playing the WIAC teams is very tough so we applaud the boys from the bluff for scheduling up…but Platteville dominated only allowing 25 yards of offense to the Spartans. A tough day in class for DBQ.
Editors Note: We score Nebby Wesleyan because they are the only Non-Iowa A-R-C team that 7 of the Iowa teams play in conference. NW had a rough week in the classroom. Coach Donohue (Williamsburg, IA) took over a complete rebuild in year one and it will take time.
As always, we appreciate your comments and support,
