10/22/2012 - http://www.miac-online.org/news/2012/10/22/FOOTBALL_1022123850.aspx
MIAC Football Offensive Player-of-the-Week
Erik
Peterson, Bethel
Orono,
Minn. / Orono
The Bethel football team has largely been known for its running
attack in recent years, but Saturday the Royals and QB
Erik
Peterson (Orono, Minn.) took to the air in a big
way in their 41-21 win over Gustavus. Peterson set a new Bethel
school record by completing 93.1 percent of his passes, and turned
in the first 300-yard passing day for Bethel since 2003. For his
record-setting day, Peterson was named the MIAC Football Offensive
Player-of-the-Week.
Peterson was on-point all day through the air, completing 27-of-29
passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns to help the Royals pile
up 41 points in the road win against the Gusties. The last time a
Bethel QB threw for 300 yards, it was Scott Kirchoff's 380 yards
against UW-Eau Claire in 2003. Peterson's first TD pass in the
first quarter made it 14-0, and he added two more in the third to
push the lead to 41-7. This season, his 68.1 completion percentage
is second in the MIAC, just 0.2 behind the leader, with 1,353
passing yards and eight TD passes.
The win helped Bethel move up two spots in the AFCA Top 25 to No.
15, and now the Royals are 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the MIAC in
second place in the standings. This week, Peterson will try to keep
his hot streak going and Bethel will aim for win No. 7 when Hamline
heads to Arden Hills. The MIAC game will kick off Saturday on the
Royals' field at 1 p.m.
MIAC Football Defensive
Player-of-the-Week
Patrick
Page, Hamline
Minneapolis,
Minn. / N.D. College of
Science
Hamline linebacker Patrick
Page (Minneapolis, Minn./N.D. College of Science)
has had a tremendous season for the Piper defense, and Saturday he
was at his best against a tough opponent. The Hamline junior had a
career day in a 51-9 loss to No. 3-ranked St. Thomas with 17 total
tackles and a seemingly endless stretch of big plays that kept the
Pipers within a score of the Tommies until the final minute of the
first half. For his performance, Page was named the MIAC Football
Defensive Player-of-the-Week.
Page not only led the way with 17 total tackles Saturday - nine
solo and eight assists - but he also intercepted two passes, forced
a fumble and made three tackles behind the line of scrimmage
against the Tommies. His two picks both came in the first half as
Hamline stayed step-for-step with the defending MIAC champions
until the closing minute of the second quarter. His big day helped
him rise on the MIAC leader board to No. 4 in total tackles (73),
while ranking second in assist tackles (36), tackles-for-a-loss
(7.5) and interceptions (three).
This weekend, Page and his teammates will face another tough task
as they travel across the metro to take on another ranked opponent.
The Pipers - now 1-6 overall and 0-6 in MIAC play - head to Arden
Hills Saturday in search of their first conference win of the
season against No. 15-ranked Bethel in a MIAC game. Kickoff is
scheduled for 1 p.m.
MIAC Football Special Teams
Player-of-the-Week
Lucas
Wainman, St. Olaf
Oviedo,
Fla. / Paul J. Hagerty
Field position and special teams are a big deal in a
closely-contested rivalry game, so St. Olaf was happy that
kicker/punter Lucas
Wainman (Oviedo, Fla./Paul J. Hagerty) was at his
best on Saturday. The Oles scored a 27-20 road win at cross-town
rival Carleton, with the freshman specialist nailing all five of
his PAT and field goal attempts, and using his kicking and punting
as a weapon to pin the Knights in their own territory time and time
again. For his performance, Wainman was named the MIAC Football
Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.
Wainman helped St. Olaf on the scoreboard, going 3-for-3 on extra
points and 2-for-2 on field goals to contribute nine big points in
the seven-point victory. His two field goals came from 21 and 31
yards out, and the latter made it 27-7 late in the third quarter to
give St. Olaf enough breathing room. He punted three times for 115
yards (38.3 average) with two kicks inside the 20, and all of his
punts and kickoffs pinned Carleton inside its 32-yard-line to start
each possession. Wainman's 48 points lead all MIAC kickers this
season, as he's gone 7-for-9 on field goals and 27-for-29 on PATs.
He's averaging an even 40.0 yards per punt with a league-leading 13
inside the 20 this season.
The win helped St. Olaf improve to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in the
conference, currently in a tie for fourth in the MIAC standings.
The Oles will get to enjoy the rivalry win for an extra week, as
they head into the bye this Saturday with a week to rest up for a
tough final stretch. St. Olaf will host No. 15-ranked Bethel and
travel to No. 3-ranked St. Thomas over the season's final two
weeks.