When college football programs start to build, growing pains and losses mount. However, those challenges must be overcome if they are to make it to better times. Buena Vista, representing the American Rivers Conference, and Lawrence, out of the Midwest Conference, collided in Appleton, Wisc., looking to build momentum. While Buena Vista headed home to Iowa with a 26-14 victory, each team learned something vitally important, which can ultimately serve as the impetus for change.
Photo Cred: BVU
Rough Voyages
BVU competes in the ARC, a conference dominated by Wartburg, a nationally ranked powerhouse that always seems in playoff contention. Meanwhile, Lawrence must contend with conference foes Ripon, Illinois College, Lake Forest, and Monmouth. Neither conference affords the schools any semblance of rest or easy games on the schedule. In the last ten seasons, Lawrence has won less than a dozen games. Equally, Buena Vista continues to struggle. Why?
It’s not for a lack of effort. Each team showed today that they are capable of playing hard-nosed, aggressive football. Although that aggression occasionally led to carelessness, resulting in penalty flags being thrown for extracurricular activities. At the same time, that does not tell the story of not only the game but also the direction that each school wants to head.
Scoring Flurry
For a five-minute stretch in the first quarter, the two schools traded scoring blows, recording three total touchdowns in less than 300 seconds. BVU opened the scoring with Johnny Messerly’s 35-yard touchdown grab. A little more than a minute later, the Vikings stormed back as Ethan Holland broke loose for a 74-yard bomb, streaking past the Beavers’ secondary. Lawrence seemed to be competitive in a game, especially considering that they had faced too many recent opponents who built insurmountable leads against them.
Photo Cred: BVU
Determined Rushing Attack
Despite displaying the ability to throw the ball vertically, BVU wanted to pound the ball downhill against the Vikings. Cink, a sophomore, enjoyed a career day, rushing for 106 yards on 20 carries. BVU plodded ahead, moving the chains and fatiguing a game but smaller Lawrence defense up front. Additionally, Cink added 33 receiving yards to his day. Let’s just say that the Beavers could have found another weapon, given that he had only four carries going into the game.
“We’re Not Going to Lay Down”
Those five words from an unidentifiable Lawrence player in addressing his teammates exemplified what the coaching staff and athletic department want to build in their gridiron program. It’s the team’s heart that kept Lawrence working until the echo of the whistle. Teams in the past would have repeatedly lost the fight and given up. Even though it sounds corny and full of moral victory syndrome, the Vikings continued to play physically and chase the ball.
Long Road
Both shows need to examine themselves at this early stage of the season. Each played well enough to win today. Yet, only one did. For BVU, with momentum, they will take on Minnesota-Morris and Simpson before they face Wartburg. Similarly, the Vikings face conference threats from Illinois College and Lake Forest College. Harnessing some of the emotion from today’s game and channeling it into production could suit them well. College football is a game of uncertainty. Yet, both teams will pad up and keep trying to knock down doors.
