Week Ten Review

I wanted to write up this review separately, because there is a pretty significant game included in this week. The MacMurray Highlanders came to New Ulm to challenge the Martin Luther Knights for the UMAC title, and the home team came out on top in a surprising way. So without further adieu, I give you...the Week Ten Review!

MacMurray 6, Martin Luther 40 - Woah. The Highlanders strode into town, thinking they had a shot at the UMAC title and an automatic bid to the NCAA D3 playoffs, but boy were they shocked to find out they weren't even on the same level as the Knights. After a scoreless first quarter, Martin Luther exploded and built up a 26-0 lead at halftime by the efforts of the usual suspects; QB Zach Bloomquist (9-10, 192 yards, 2 TDs), RB Austin DeNoyer (24-124-2), and WR Joshua Arndt (4-155-2). Despite the MacMurray defense and Javon Muhammad's best efforts (8 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF), the Highlanders couldn't keep up and fell hard to Martin Luther. While it was clear that this MacMurray team didn't quite live up to their 2017 selves, they sure didn't expect to get walloped this bad.

Northwestern 20, Westminster 17 - This actually might have been an interesting game to check out, in a way. While Northwestern's talent level is also down a bit this year, they showed that they are still a better team than about half the UMAC in 2018. When was the last time a team only mustered 158 total yards of offense and still managed to win the game? The Eagles used a kickoff return TD by KJ Downey and a few field goals by Josiah Donat, the latter being the game-winner in OT, to pluck victory out of the outstretched arms of the Blue Jays. A costly fumble by Westminster QB Trent White at the one yard-line in OT changed the outcome of the game, as the Blue Jays actually had some momentum at home in this one. White ended the game with 161 yards and a TD passing, and also tacked on 42 rushing yards. Westminster ended their season on a disappointing note, especially for super-senior White.

Greenville 30, Iowa Wesleyan 20 - The Panthers were in control of this game the entire way, as QB Dalton Mitchell led the charge by passing for 167 yards and 2 TDs while also rushing for 41 yards and 2 TDs. Star TE Gregoire Franchomme caught 7 passes for 99 of those yards, and DL Anthony Esquivel led the Greenville defense with 8 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and 1 pass breakup. For the Tigers, QB Demarcus Collins tried to keep the offense afloat by passing for 116 yards and 3 TDs, but it wasn't enough as Iowa Wesleyan was picked apart by Greenville.

Minnesota Morris 16, St. Scholastica 47 - Eh, there isn't much to say about this one. The Cougars are a bad UMAC team, and the Saints are a good one, and it showed. St. Scholastica built up a 40-0 lead before Morris was able to put up points on the board, and by then it was obviously too late. Saints star QB Zach Edwards threw for 318 yards and 4 TDs, with 8 balls going to WR Eddie Lee for 110 yards and a TD and 5 balls going to Aaron Olson for 88 yards and a TD. RB Spencer Ross also got in on the fun, running for 153 yards and 2 TDs. The Cougars didn't have much of a chance in this one, but QB Justin Masloski did his best, throwing for 138 yards and 2 TDs (which both went to WR Brendan Carlson) and also running for 64 yards.

Okay, after week ten, I was 35-4 in my picks. Dang, I guess the UMAC is a pretty predictable conference. Or, I'm just a genius. Stay tuned for the Final Week Review, coming right at ya!