Martin Luther College Football

The Comeback Kids Prepare for Next Division Match-up

The Knights can take the division lead with a win Saturday

The Knights come into Saturday's game looking to win its third straight, and take an early division lead. With back-to-back come from behind victories against UMAC opponents Maranatha and Westminster, the Knights' confidence is building. Saturday's homecoming football match-up against Northwestern will give the Knights an early indication of where they stand in the North Division.

MLC overcame a 13-point deficit last Saturday, rallying against Westminster, the defending UMAC champions from last year. The Knights scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including the 83 yard deflected touchdown reception by Jake Schwartz that ultimately was the game-winning reception. Against Maranatha two weeks ago, the Knights (2-2 overall, 2-0 in UMAC) rallied in similar fashion, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter. While such victories produce confidence and character, Knights head football coach Charles Hussman wouldn't mind seeing his team try other forms of victory.

"We cannot turn the ball over," Hussman said. "Coughing up the ball in our own territory is not something we can do too often and still end up with a victory. When we do not turn over the ball, we can help keep ourselves out of situations where we have to come from behind."

Despite the close games, Hussman isn't worried about the team giving him any extra gray hairs.

"I think I have enough of those gray hairs already," Hussman said. "I don't think they can add any more."

Northwestern (2-2, 2-0) is also coming off back-to-back victories. After pounding Principia 41-7 two weeks ago, the Eagles fought off a surprisingly strong performance by Crown to win 26-20 Saturday. With the game knotted at 20, Eagles running back Ben Freedman broke free for a 58 yard run with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, giving Northwestern the lead, and the victory. Freedman rushed for 227 yards on 27 carries, and Northwestern pounded the ball 52 times for 379 total rushing yards on the day.

Against Northwestern last year, the Knights were handed its first defeat, losing 20-27. Down 20-6 at halftime, the Knights battled back with Seth Herrmann's 25-yard interception returned for a touchdown late in the third quarter. The Knights tied it up with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter on quarterback Dan Lange's 11 yard pass to receiver Noah Bater. Northwestern would then use the next seven minutes on its final possession, marching down the field 94 yards, capped off by one yard touchdown run.

This match-up will be watched with a keen eye by many in the UMAC, and the Knights will be able to send a strong message about its championship hopes with a victory against another top-flight UMAC opponent. The game kicks off at 1:00 pm.

Keys to the Game

1. Contain Northwestern running back Ben Freedman

The UMAC Player of the week for his performance against Crown last week, Freedman is coming off of back-to-back games with more than 200 rushing yards in each game. Freedman is averaging 8.6 yards/carry and has been tearing up opposing UMAC defenses so far this season. The Knights will counter with its 5-2 defense, and linebackers Jon Bielke, 2003's UMAC Defensive Player of the Year, and A.J. Kruse will have the opportunity to make a lot of plays.

2. MLC pass defense vs. Northwestern passing game

With the emphasis on stopping the running game, Northwestern will have the opportunity to pass in man-to-man match-ups. Westminster gave the Knights fits last week, opening up the offense with four or five receiver sets, and the Eagles may try to do the same this Saturday.

3. Winning the Turnover Battle

The Knights have turned the ball over nine times in its first four games. This has become a area of concern for the Knights and was a focal point in practice this week. Against a strong division rival, the Knights cannot afford to make costly turnovers. A sound, mistake-free game will give the Knights its best opportunity for its first winning-streak of the year, and the overall division lead.

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