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Scots face unique
problem with Grinnell
Release Date: Oct. 1, 2009
MONMOUTH, Ill. —
Don’t let the records
fool you when Monmouth College hosts Grinnell College this Saturday
at 1 p.m. at April Zorn Memorial Stadium.
The Fighting Scots –
ranked 11th in the D3football.com poll – moved up a notch to No. 12
in this week’s AFCA rankings and meet a Pioneers squad fresh off
their first win of the season. Grinnell’s 1-3 record is somewhat
misleading. All three of their losses have been by a touchdown or
less, including a 14-11 loss to perennial conference power St.
Norbert.
While the Scots were
en route to a 41-3 win at Carroll, rolling up more than 500 yards of
offense for the third straight week, the Pioneers were manhandling
Lawrence to the tune of 42-0. Even more impressive, Grinnell did it
without the aid of any Vikings turnovers. Grinnell used a balanced
offense to rack up more than 400 yards of offense while the defense
stuffed the Vikings, allowing just 72 rushing yards and less than
190 total offensive yards. Do-it-all sophomore quarterback Mike
Bogard rushed for 55 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 200
yards and three TDs.
“Their M.O. has been
to get a very athletic quarterback,” reported Bell. “They focus on
that type of athlete at that position. He can run, throw, he punts
and kicks field goals (a long of 36-yards). He’s just a terrific
athlete. They’ll use a variety of formations and Bogard’s
versatility makes it much tougher to defend.”
Monmouth hasn’t been
lacking for solid defense. Through four games, they’ve given up only
26 points, and just six in the last three games. Allowing just over
200 yards per game, the Scots’ defense is ninth in Division III
according to NCAA statistics and they’re sixth in scoring defense,
allowing just 6.5 points per game. They also have the nation’s
second-best turnover margin in Division III at 3.25.
Bell has stressed 11
men to the ball and, while that philosophy won’t change, it will
require discipline against the Pioneers.
“We’ll have to be
conscious of the pass-rush lanes,” said Bell. “We need to be aware
of their use of Bogard as the main ball carrier. They’ve asked their
quarterback to be a big phase of their running game. It’s a little
different than the norm because of that.”
Bogard’s 178 yards of
positive rushing is exactly twice as much as the total for freshman
back T.J. Schaid, who is second on the team. When Bogard does throw,
he has a variety of targets. Four Pioneers have at least a dozen
receptions, led by Robert Seer’s 17. The sophomore wide receiver has
made the most out of his catches, averaging 64 yards per game with a
team-high five TDs on the season.
Grinnell’s defense
has been stingy, especially against the pass. The Pioneers have
allowed less than 120 yards per game through the air, but that stat
might be a bit misleading.
“The teams they’ve
played have tried to run the ball,” explained Bell of the defensive
stat. “Those teams had success doing that, but Grinnell held St.
Norbert to just 14 points, so they must be doing something right.”
The stats back up
Bell’s claim of the Pioneers facing run-oriented teams. Grinnell’s
opponents have run the ball more than twice as many times as
attempting a pass. They’ll see a little more air this weekend, but
the Scots’ offense has begun to show the balance Bell was hoping
for, and that puts added pressure on the Pioneers offense to stop
the run AND the pass. In the last three games Monmouth has 135
carries and 124 pass attempts. That balance may offset the Pioneers’
22 tackles for loss and seven sacks through four games.
“Their coaches are
very good at what they do,” said Bell of second-year coach Max
Hawsey’s staff. “They’ll have them prepared for our offense,
including the passing game. No question about that.”
The question is –
Will the Scots be prepared for the Pioneers’ ultra-versatile
quarterback?
Football
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