Joey Valdivia has eight rushing touchdowns through three games. He had nine through his first three injury-plagued seasons. Photo by Matt Weidner

Joey Valdivia thought he would never play football again after breaking his foot in 2014.

The foot injury that forced him to miss that entire season came after he was a medical redshirt in 2013 because of a hamstring injury. But he bounced back, even after missing four games last year because of an ankle injury. And Valdivia is back with a vengeance as one of the country's top rushers so far this season, averaging 178.3 yards per game.

That total is one of the best in all of Division III football and Valdivia and coach Jim Catanzaro hopes the trend continues going into the Foresters' biggest game of the season against league favorite Monmouth at home on Saturday.

"It was a good feeling staying healthy," Valdivia modestly said this week. "It's been a long road but I'm just happy that things have been outstanding so far. I've been trying to do all the right things with my body to stay healthy.

"The (offensive) line is doing a great job blocking for me and the coaches have been calling all the right plays, putting me in a position to succeed and keep going."

Valdivia said even in the opening game against Carleton, where he rushed for the fourth-highest total in Lake Forest history with 223 yards, it was just all about the team and the victory more than any personal accomplishment.

"For me, it was all about going 1-0 and I was just happy to get the win," Valdivia said. "I was with the guys and I don't pay too much attention about the stats. I just worry about getting the W. That's good enough for me."

Catanzaro said that Valdivia has made the most of his absence and has returned stronger than ever in the Lake Forest backfield, despite the time off.

"The best part about it is that we're finally starting to see the guy that we recruited," Catanzaro said. "He's even improved beyond that but it's great because it allows us to open up some things in the run and pass game because he's contributed there as well."

Always a hard-driving runner, Catanzaro said Valdivia has become more elusive, adding to the ways he can gain extra yardage during carries.

"He's always had that ability to run through guys," Catanzaro said. "I think one of the things he's done with more consistency this season is to avoid the big collision and accelerate. He hasn't had to power run and break through tackles. He's been able to make guys miss tackles.

"The only thing I can say is that he does so much to keep his body healthy that some of the things that were previous concerns are not anymore. The 2014 foot injury was more of a freak thing. He is a guy who really takes his time and gets treatment to stay ahead of any potential injuries."

Catanzaro said with Charlie Quinn, who won all-MWC honors in the past, sharing the backfield, it allows them the ability to make sure Valdivia stays healthy.

"It's on us as coaches to manage the workload on him and make sure we don't solely rely on him," Catanzaro said.

Catanzaro said with Valdivia's contributions and the emergence of quarterback Jagan Cleary, who is averaging 282.3 passing yards per game and completing 66.3 percent of his passes, it has added a potent one-two punch for the Lake Forest offense.

He said in their upcoming game against Monmouth, the Foresters will be prepared for whatever the Fighting Scots are planning to do defensively, whether stopping Valdivia on the ground or their passing game.

"We just want to take what the defense gives us," said Catazaro. "If they want to load up the box to stop Joey, that allows us to get out on the perimeter and get the ball out to some of our great wide receivers and let Jagan throw the football around. If they want to defend the pass, we'll have some things for Joey on the inside."

Valdivia said, though, the game will not be about how many yards he can get against one of the country's best defenses, but simply winning the contest.

"I'm excited but for me it's the biggest game of the year so far because it's our only opponent for the week," Valdivia said. "We need to into it with the 1-0 mentality and being focused. We have a great quarterback; we have great (offensive) linemen, great wide receivers. On offense it's all the guys and it's not just me and (Cleary)."

Lake Forest will be able to turn a lot of heads if it can keep its winning streak going against the Fighting Scots.

Different routes for CCIW leaders

No. 8 Wheaton (3-0) and No. 7 North Central (3-0) took different routes to remain undefeated on the way to their annual Little Brass Bell Game. Wheaton needed Phillip Nichols's 70-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter to provide the Thunder's winning margin in a 19-14 victory over Carthage. North Central, on the other hand, jumped out to a 24-0 lead on the road before subduing previous unbeaten Illinois Wesleyan 34-7. North Central entered the game ranked third in the country in passing efficiency under Broc Rutter with a 204.39 rating.

Big comeback for Lakeland

Lakeland needed a little extra effort in the fourth quarter for the NACC favorites to stay undefeated, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter to edge Albion 40-38. Richard Micheaux caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Michael Whitley with seven seconds left to complete the comeback. Whitley, who led the Muskies to the playoffs last year, completed 19 of 42 passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Kezlow Smith had five catches for 189 yards, two of those for scores.

Game of the week: Monmouth (3-0) at Lake Forest (3-0)

The Midwest Conference favorite against one of the hottest teams in the league for all the reasons mentioned above with Joey Valdivia and quarterback Jagan Cleary. This could be the biggest test for the Fighting Scots defense this season so far. Monmouth's offense, though, can play keep-away with the strong offensive backfield of DeAndre Wright (6.7 yards per carry) and Trent Rains (4.5 yard per carry) taking the load. Expect an exciting game.

Second game of the week: Bluffton (3-0) at No. 20 Franklin (2-1)

The Beavers are the last team to beat Grizzlies in HCAC play two years ago and are now off to their best start since 1999. The Beavers are doing it with defense, surrendering just 173.7 yards per game passing while limiting teams to 26 percent in third down conversions. They have also recovered six fumbles and grabbed three interceptions in their opening contests. Franklin, though, has one of the hottest signal callers in Division III in Chase Burton, who is among the nation's leaders in passing offense. Something's gotta give.

Third game of the week: No. 10 UW-Platteville (2-0) at Lakeland (2-0)

After the big comeback against Albion, the Muskies have another huge test at home against the Pioneers. Lakeland made its big comeback against a winless team, though. UW-Platteville will present an entirely different kind of challenge for the Muskies. UW-Platteville has to play second-ranked and rival UW-Whitewater at home the following week, so could the Pioneers be looking past the Muskies? That could make for an interesting scenario.