Week Eight Review

I know it was a while ago now, but think back about Week eight saw a close game, and a few not so close ones. We saw a 58-yard field goal that is the longest field goal made in DIII football this year, which was pretty mind blowing. I know the going back in time thing is old now, but hey, it's gotta be done. Let's rewind and take a look at the results of week eight. 

Westminster 17, Minnesota Morris 14 - This was a tight one, and ended with just a field goal difference. The last field goal kicked by Blue Jay now-superstar kicker Tim Branneky wasn't the big one, but it turned out the be the game-winner, as Morris scored before the game was over but was unable to close the gap. The big news of the game and even the week was that "Branleggy" nailed a 58-yard field goal, the longest field goal made in DIII football since 2013. I'm sure that's a UMAC record as well, as we aren't well known for our field goal-kicking aficionado, but the UMAC doesn't seem to have a record book on their website, and I'm not about to search every teams individual records. The boot earned Branleggy UMAC ST Player of the Week and D3football.com Team of the Week honors, as it should have, while also being crowned UMAC Play of the Week. We often have great UMAC punters, but it's rare to come upon a great kicker in this conference, so it's pretty cool to see. The also crazy thing is that he's not their main guy (correct me if I'm wrong, Westminster folks). Maybe a soccer guy specializing in certain kicks? Anyways great for him and great for the Blue Jays. Westminster was missing their main squeeze QB Wyatt Ellis, and Bryce Moorman filled in efficiently, throwing for 176 yards and a TD to WR Travion Mosby, who accounted for 107 of those yards on 4 receptions. For the Cougars, utility QB Drew Shipley continues to keep Morris in contention, putting up 178 yards and 2 TDs. The Cougars were unable to close the gap though, and fell once again, while the Blue Jays are trying to stay alive to bust into the top half of the conference. 

Greenville 32, Crown 6 - This one wasn't as close of a game as I expected. The Storm had home field advantage and have been solid defensively this year, so I thought it might be a bit closer. Instead, the Panthers dominated, building a 32-0 lead before Crown was able to muster a score halfway through the fourth quarter. Panther RB Paul Garrett led the charge, rushing for 193 yards on 29 attempts and scoring 2 TDs, earning himself UMAC Offensive Player of the Week. For the Storm, RB Avory Caruthers rushed for 95 yards on 16 attempts and WR Cole Mistrietta caught 11 passes for 129 yards, but 5 different Greenville defenders picked off QB Jared Gilmore, and Crown struggled to get into the end zone. The bright spot defensively for the Storm was LB Junior Doe, who earned UMAC Defensive Player of the Week by finishing with 15 tackles with 1 TFL, forcing a fumble, and recovering a fumble. The Storm actually outgained the Panthers 354-332, but it didn't translate onto the scoreboard, and Greenville had a happy trip home. 

Northwestern 20, Martin Luther 41 - The Knights beat up on the Eagles in the Pit. The Martin Luther offensive attack was spearheaded by QB Ethan Aguilar (12/18-232-3), RB Austin DeNoyer (26 rushes for 147 yards and a TD, 2 receptions for 31 yards) and RB Joshuah Kren (12 rushes for 59 yards and a rushing TD, 3 receptions for 93 yards and a receiving TD). Defensively for the Knights, DL Nate Holz piled up 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, and an interception, while DB Aiden Holien picked off UNW QB Ryan Flanigan twice, while also gathering 3 tackles. Eagle WR Evan Pruitt caught 4 passes for 89 yards and a TD, but other than that, Northwestern wasn't able to scratch together much offensively. The Eagles continue their downward spiral into the depths of the UMAC, while Martin Luther stays on their current track.

MacMurray 21, Iowa Wesleyan 12 - In opposition to the Greenville-Crown outcome, this game was much closer than I anticipated. The Highlanders scored all of their points in the first half, going up 21-0 before the Tigers were able to get on the board, but then stalled and weren't able to get much going in the second half. Luckily, their defense stifled Iowa Wesleyan and they were able to hold on to take home the win. Highlander QB Bobby Tedesco continued to impress, throwing for 238 yards and 2 TDs, with both of them going to WR Demetrius Curry, who gathered 88 yards on 5 catches, and currently leads the UMAC in both receiving yards (943) and TDs (13). Mac WR Ian Leib also accumulated 7 catches for 124 yards. WR Shomari Wilson led the Tiger offensive attack, catching 4 passes for 97 yards and a score. Iowa Wesleyan continues to search for their first win of the year, and MacMurray holds on to their dim hope of a conference championship.

Another successful flashback to the past. Keep an eye out for the Week Ten Preview coming out soon!