MLC Stats

Knights Kick Off Season With Big Non-Conference Battle

Luther Stats

2005 Team Statistics

22.1 ppg

282.6 yards per game

163.4 rush yards per game

12.8 ppg allowed

276 yards per game allowed

121.1 rush yards per game allowed

            Come 1:00pm the questions that loom over the Knights entering this season will become a search for answers.  One of the biggest questions that needs to be answered, the Knights depth, will face a strong test in the opener against Luther.  The Knights field a team of 46 players, while the Luther Norse are 63 strong, after trimming the roster down from around 110.

            “We don’t have the same problem they have,” Knights head football coach Doug Lange said.  “Luther’s depth did a very good job in wearing us down and was a big factor last year.”

            In last year’s match-up, the Knights put up 220 yards of offense in the first half and went into the locker room down by one touchdown, 28-21.  In the second half the Knights didn’t have enough fresh legs to contain Luther’s constant attack, as Luther scored 27 unanswered points.

            The Knights enter the season on a four-game winning streak and are still working out some of the kinks that will be needed to get to win number five.  Number one on Coach Lange’s list, centers on the offensive line.

            “We need to work on staying low, especially offensively on the line,” Lange said.  “If we don’t, it’ll be extremely difficult to move an inch.  But if we make these improvements on our technique, then we’ll be successful.”

            The biggest key for the Knights will be ball control.  On the defensive side of the ball, the Knights need to try to make quick work of Luther’s offense and force as many three-and-outs as possible.  Offensively, the Knights need to work at sustaining drives and to be effective in their red zone offense.  It’s the little things, however, that Lange believes will matter most.

            “We’re still in the learning process,” Lange said.  “The biggest improvement I would like to see is the execution of our assignments.  Taking care of these things will be a big help as we prepare for conference games.”

2005 Team Statistics

Word From the Coach

Coach Lange discusses some of the biggest challenges the Knights will face against Luther.  Click here to listen to what he had to say.