Whitworth faces stern test
Whitworth College, armed with another top-20 ranking and one of the nation’s most productive and efficient NCAA Division III quarterbacks, will try to keep its record unblemished today when it takes on Wisconsin-Stout in another non-conference football showdown in Menomonie, Wis.
The Pirates (2-0) are ranked No. 17 in this week’s D3football.com Top 25 poll and are coming off an impressive 37-16 win over La Verne (Calif.) in last Saturday’s home opener at the Pine Bowl.
Wisconsin-Stout (2-0) knocked off Division II Upper Iowa last weekend and, with 18 starters back from last year’s 6-4 team, is expected to be a top contender in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference this fall.
The Blue Devils boast a ground-oriented offense that features the running back tandem of senior Ryan Englebert and junior Andy Reese, who have combined to rush for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
But the key to today’s game, which kicks off at 11 a.m. (PDT) in Williams Stadium, will be how effectively the Blue Devils defense deals with Whitworth quarterback Joel Clark, who accounted for 331 yards and had a hand in three touchdowns in the Bucs’ win over La Verne.
“Going on the road is always a challenge, especially halfway across the country,” said Pirates coach John Tully. “(The Blue Devils) are likely the biggest team we have ever faced. We expect them to be very physical, but they also have good skill people.”
Today’s meeting will be the first between the two schools, who have a rematch scheduled next fall in the Pine Bowl.