ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Concordia football team looks to carry their momentum from last week's big road victory as the play their final road game of 2009 at Upper Iowa in Fayette at Eischeid Stadium. Last week, CU knocked off rival Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn. 29-17 behind a dominant team performance. While CU has never lost to UIU, a win this Saturday would give them a 3-3 road record on the season and allow them to pursue a .500 record in the South Division. CU is currently 2-6 overall, 2-5 in the NSIC and 1-3 in the NSIC South. Upper Iowa is 2-6 overall, 1-6 in the NSIC and 0-3 NSIC South. GAMEDAY LIVE - WEEKLY RELEASES
The series between Concordia and Upper Iowa started in 2006 when the Peacocks joined the Northern Sun. The first meeting in 2006 was the only meeting between the schools played in Fayette, where Concordia stomped Upper Iowa 41-14.
The last two meetings in St. Paul at Griffin Stadium have been tight, however, with CU holding off the Peacocks 20-17 in 2007 and 23-14 last year.
The Golden Bears are riding a lot of momentum into this game off their big win at SMSU while the Peacocks are reeling, losing their last five after a strong 2-1 start.
Last week Concordia quarterback Mitch Brecke (Maple Grove, Minn.) threw for 329 yards on 27-34 passing with three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing) while receiver Jordan Schultenover (Minnetonka, Minn.) hauled in 11 receptions for 125 yards and a score. Sticking on the offensive side, running back Sam Campbell (Cary, Ill.) continued his breakout season with a bruising 61 rushing yards and 78 receiving for 139 all-purpose yards. Redshirt freshman receiver Shane Biggs (East Aurora, N.Y.) had an impact as well with three catches for 73 yards with a long of 29.
Defensively, Concordia forced five sacks and four turnovers while blocking a punt and holding a once potent Mustang offensive attack silent. Concordia held SMSU to just 44 rushing yards on 24 attempts and 211 passing yards for a 255 offensive effort.
Concordia's defense was led by linebacker Trevor Glomski (Wabasha, Minn.) and cornerback Joe Butler (Kansas City, Mo.) with seven tackles and an interception apiece. Glomski returned his INT 39 yards for a score while Butler also blocked a punt, had a tackle for loss and a pass break up.
Of the five sacks by CU's defense, two were from senior Will Brown (Shoreview, Minn.) giving him 6.5 on the season, second in the NSIC and top-25 in the nation while he added two more tackles for loss giving him 16.0 on the season to lead the league with the fifth most TFL's in the nation as he continues to hold his grip on the team lead in tackles with 61 (7th - NSIC).
Concordia also forced a pair of fumbles, both coming on solo sacks by defensive ends Orien Facion (Minneapolis, Minn.) and Zach Moore (Chicago, Ill.).
On special teams, juniors Steven King (Johnston, Iowa) and T.G. Schoenberg (Woodbury, Minn.) continue to lead the Northern Sun. King, the placekicker, is eighth in Division II in field goals made (1.50 per game) and is two field goals shy of the school record (11, Brody Johnson, 2005). Schoenberg, the punter, is 12th in the nation in punting with a 40.8 average.
Concordia continues to feature outstanding athletes on the gridiron, and a win this Saturday would afford them the opportunity to play for a .500 record in the rugged NSIC South Division and would secure a 3-3 season record on the road.
Photo Credits: Glomski, Campbell by Lou Michaels (www.louthephotoguy.com), Schultenover by Justin Oakman (Oakman Photography), Schoenberg courtesy Concordia athletics
