By Adam Johnson
D3sports.com
Two running backs in the West region put up some eye-opening numbers on Saturday. Whitworth scored six touchdowns in their 40-29 victory over Pacific Lutheran and Adam Anderson hogged them all. The junior carried the ball 31 times for 217 yards including three touchdowns in the second quarter alone. The Pirates needed every one of them to come from a 29-21 third-quarter deficit to win. Anderson's two fourth-quarter touchdowns sealed the victory.
It is the second highest total in NWC history behind Rory Lee's total of seven in 2006 for Puget Sound.
Halfway across the country, St. Thomas running back Ben Wartman was tallying his own mind-boggling stats. The sophomore scored all three of his team's touchdowns and hit the 300-yard plateau on 37 carries including two 57-yard touchdowns. The Tommies fell short however, 22-20 on a late field goal by Augsburg.
Wartman's 300 yards is just 14 yards shy of the MIAC and St. Thomas single-game records held by Peter Ridley and is believed to be just the third 300-yard rushing game in 85 seasons of MIAC football.
Ruetzel storms to record
Simpson running back Adam Reutzel ran for a career high 236 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-26 victory over Dubuque. Reutzel's performance pushed him over 1,000 yards for the season (1,185) for the first time in his career. His 33 carries were a career best and moved him past Ricky Gales (758, 1988-89) for the Storm record for career rushes with 784.
"It's funny to say, but it was the first time Adam has taken advantage of the things that have been available to him within our offense," said Simpson coach Jim Glogowski. "He's finally gotten comfortable in our schemes."
Low five
With visions of a MIAC crown shining in the distance, league leading Concordia Moorhead overlooked visiting 1-4 St. Olaf and found themselves on the short end of a 28-25 score. The Cobbers outgained St. Olaf by 98 yards but coughed the ball up three times and were intercepted twice. The five turnovers were a season high for the Cobbers. The loss created a four way tie for first place in the MIAC.
Linfield looks weak, extends the streak
Even with an ugly performance against the NWC's worst team, Linfield was able to persevere in a 32-24 victory over Puget Sound. The victory was Linfield's fifth of the season against two losses, clinching a 53rd consecutive winning campaign. That extended the Wildcats all-divisions' record that began in 1956.
The Wildcats were outgained by a lopsided 424-208 margin, including 200-54 at the half, but took advantage of four Loggers turnovers and good field position throughout the game to keep the streak alive.
Good Knight
Perennial IIAC power Wartburg continued more than a decade of dominance in the IIAC by Saturday's 14-0 shutout of Luther. They've now won at least seven games in 16 consecutive seasons including six trips to the NCAA playoffs since 1993. A victory over Dubuque next week will put them in position to share or win their 11th IIAC crown.
A familiar non-conference opponent
UW-Whitewater's 40-10 victory over UW-Eau Claire on Saturday was not counted as a WIAC conference game. This is because both teams were struggling to fill their ten game schedules and decided it was better to play each other twice than to only play nine games on the season. To be fair to the other WIAC teams, the first meeting between these two clubs, a Warhawk 16-14 victory, was considered the conference game.
News, notes and things you might have missed
• Menlo ended a six game road losing streak with its 49-20 victory over Lewis & Clark.
• Chapman has not given up an offensive touchdown in nine quarters.
• UW-Platteville recorded its first league shutout in 16 years, stopping UW-River Falls 7-0.
• Loras tailback Alex McGrew tallied 219 yards on 45 carries and a touchdown that tied two former Duhawks, including All-American Shane Davis, for the single-season mark of 18.
• UW-Stevens Point quarterback Jared Beckwith had a career day passing for the Pointers, finishing 32 of 59 with 470 yards two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 34-33 victory over UW-Oshkosh.
A special thanks to the West region SIDs and their respective school's athletic departments for their hard work in promoting their school's football teams.
