Game Day Credential: Football playing for 3-0 start to season
MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Football team went on the road last week and picked up a 31-14 win at Finlandia. The Falcons will now play the 2016 home opener Saturday against Augsburg College.
THE BASICS
Who: Concordia Wisconsin (2-0) vs Alma (1-1)
Where: Tomasini Stadium (Mequon, Wis.)
When: Saturday, September 17 (1 pm)
Live Coverage: Live video click here or live statistics (also includes video) click here
DIGITAL GAME PROGRAM
- Fans can access the digital program for Saturday's game by clicking here. CUWFalcons.com switched last season to a digital program format. These can be accessed from this link, or by scanning a QR code at the match. Limited printed programs will be available at each game for $2.
NOTES TO CONSIDER
- LAST TIME OUT FOR CUW: The Falcons put on a defensive display not seen in some time, as they held Augsburg to 215 total offensive yards, including 51 rushing yards on 36 carries (1.4 average) during a 24-14 home victory. CUW also intercepted a pass and recovered two fumbles. Richie Guess scored a 20-yard touchdown on a fumble return to start the game.
- THE SERIES (SINCE 2008): CUW and Alma have never met during head coach Greg Etter's tenure, which began in 2008.
- DEFENSE GETS INTO THE ACT: It doesn't happen quite as often, but CUW's defense has scored at least two touchdowns in seven of the past eight seasons (2015 didn't score, but had a safety). Overall, the Falcons defense has accounted for 120 points over the last eight years (10 interceptions, nine fumble returns, three safeties).
- KEY PLAYER TO WATCH FOR CUW: Running back Logan Hass hasn't seen the field much during his career, but has made the most of two games during his senior campaign. He has rushed for 150 yards on 30 carries (5.0 average) and last week accounted for 86 yards on the ground and a touchdown.
- MATCHUP TO WATCH: Not really a player-to-player or unit-to-unit matchup, but how many flags will the referees throw on Saturday. The Falcons have been called for 21 infractions for 201 yards, while the Scots have comitted 12 penalties for 119 yards.
- WHAT IS AT STAKE: A 3-0 start for the Falcons, which hasn't happened since the 2006 season when they finished the year with an undefeated 10-0 regular season record.
- LAST TIME OUT FOR ALMA: The Scots overcame a 20-14 deficit by scoring 17-unanswered points over the last two quarters and six seconds in a 31-20 win over Manchester. They kicked a 19-yard field goal before halftime and Dylan Zaborowski ran for a touchdown in each of the final two quarters to give Alma the come-from-behind victory. The Scots amassed 478 total offensive yards and were 11-of-25 on third-down conversions.
- MIAA-NACC CHALLENGE SERIES: The MIAA has dominated the Challenge Series since its inception in 2012. Overall, the MIAA leads the series, 21-8, and last season won all seven games against NACC schools. CUW is 1-3 in the series and Alma is 2-2, which includes wins in the last two seasons. The NACC has just one win over the last two years.
- KEY PLAYER TO WATCH FOR ALMA: Wide receiver Danny Hugan II is a multi-talented player for the Scots, with a team-high 416 all-purpose yards. The junior has 51 rushing, 183 receiving, six punt return and 176 kick return yards. In the season opener he returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown to begin the second half.
- MATCHUP TO WATCH: Alma's rushing attack versus CUW's rush defense. The Scots average 208.5 rush yards per game, while the Falcons allow just 93.0 yards on the ground per contest. Last week Alma ran for 246 yards on 61 carries (4.0 average), while CUW allowed 51 rushing yards on 36 attempts (1.4 average).
- WHAT IS AT STAKE: Alma could move to 3-2 in the MIAA-NACC Challenge Series. The Scots won their last two games in the series and are 1-1 on the road.
