By Darius Hicks–The Morningside College football team will travel to Seward, Nebraska, to face off against the 25th-ranked Concordia Bulldogs November 7.
The Mustangs enter the game holding the number one spot in NAIA football. But they are facing a Concordia football team desperate for a win in order to keep their playoff hops alive, after losing two straight games to conference opponents.
“They’re a very good football team, who is well coached. We’ve got to be at our best come Saturday, and have a championship performance. That’s how you play when your opponent’s season is on the line. You give them your best shot, because you know you’re going to get theirs,” said head coach Steve Ryan.
The Bulldogs are currently the third ranked defense in the nation when it comes to total yards per game, allowing an average of 268 yards. They also have the number one ranked passing defense, allowing a nation’s best 120 yards per game. This may pose a threat to the high-powered Mustangs offense, which is averaging 602 yards per game. Morningside is coming off a record-breaking performance in the 67-0 win over Briar Cliff. The Mustangs compiled a total of 712 yards in total offense, surpassing the old mark of 695.
“It’ll be a challenge for us, but we like to be challenged. Because it brings out the best in us,” said wide receiver Kyle Shuck. The senior was named GPAC Player of the Week and is the new all time touchdown leader at Morningside with 39 after his four-touchdown performance Saturday.
As for the defense, the Mustangs look to prove their dominance for the second week in a row, allowing only 191 yards in total offense against Briar Cliff. They’re facing an offense this week that prides itself on playing a physical style of football. The rushing defense will be tested as they try to stop the Bulldogs read option attack.
Although the Mustangs rank 13th in the nation in total run defense, they have struggled in the past when facing teams that run the read option. During their contest against Dordt College they gave up a total of 272 rushing yards and a total of 294 against Valley City State, two teams that run similar option style offenses like Concordia.
“We have to play assignment sound football this week, it will be important that we execute our responsibilities in order to slow down their rushing attack,” said senior linebacker Aaron Roberg.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 o’clock Saturday at Bulldog’s Stadium, for Mustang fan’s who can’t make the trip. The game will be aired on Concordia’s football homepage.
http://www.cune.edu/athletics/sports-information-office/concordia-sports-network/
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