MVFC Week 5 Review
Chad Lenz & JT Nutt, MVFC Contributors | October 05, 2015
Chad says-
Indiana State 56 Missouri State 23
Missouri State showed signs of life, for about a quarter. Missouri State out-gained ISU 159-28 in the first quarter, and Bear running back Calan Crowder scored his second TD of the day 3 seconds into the second quarter to give MSU a 14-7 lead. At that point the Sycamores woke up and scored 28 unanswered to start the route. Indiana State has wanted to get a run game going all year, but hasn’t other than Matt Adam. They found their stride last week as rushers, other than Adam, totaled 250 yards on 31 carries which is an astonishing 8.1 yards per carry.
Western Illinois 37 Southern Illinois 36
This was one of the rare games that actually lived up to to the hype of two evenly matched teams. The game featured 7 lead changes, 5 of which game in the second half. The Salukis took a 36-34 lead with 5:38 left in the game. Leatherneck QB Trenton Norvell threw a pick, in SIU, territory with 2:43 left. The ‘necks forced a 3 and out and got the ball back with 1:42 left and 69 yards to go. Norvell and Lenoir hooked up for a big 44 yard pass and with 6 seconds left WIU trotted out Nathan Knuffman. Knuffman nailed the 20 yard field goal with just 2 second left. It was the first game winning kick for WIU since 2000.
JT Says-
Illinois State 21 Northern Iowa 13
Last week I mentioned that questions had been answered for both the Redbirds and the Panthers…well…that’s still true of the Redbirds. They won this game from the beginning and never let up. UNI made thinks interesting late but too many mistakes sank their chances of winning. Illinois State won, but did not look as solid as they had last season. Only getting 80 yards of passing will not get it done in the Missouri Valley. UNI might have the best defense in the MVFC certainly one of the best pass defenses but still, a team looking to knock off North Dakota State is going to need to produce more than that. UNI’s passing game is a joke. Far too many dropped passes and bad decisions by the quarterback. Something got to change or UNI will be out of the playoffs yet again.
North Dakota State 28 South Dakota State 7
North Dakota State looked primed to 5 pete in the FCS after a 28-7 beat down of SDSU. The battle of the quarterback was as expected. Both Carson Wentz for NDSU and Zach Lujan for SDSU completed 19 passes for 1 touchdown and no pics. However, Lujan was sack 3 times and completed only 19-38. Wentz far more consistent with 19-27. Sometimes less is more. But this game was won and lost on the ground. SDSU had -4 yards of rushing compared to 202 for the Bizon. Carson Wentz had 54 yards on 7 carries and a sore. The running back by committee is working to perfection for the Bizon. A great defense, a great running game, and a dual threat quarterback who is very efficient makes the Bizon the team to beat in the Valley.
Youngstown State 31 South Dakota 3
Youngstown State continues to improve week-to-week and looks to make noise in the Valley. A 31-3 victory over South Dakota on Saturday helped matters. Youngstown led the entire way and South Dakota avoided the shutout with a FG with about 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Penguin QB Hunter Wells threw for 158 yards, 2 scores and 2 pics. Martin Ruiz and Jody Webb split the load in the backfield and combined for 36 carries and 127 yards with 2 touchdowns for Ruiz. The Penguin defense will need to step things up a bit if they want to contend for a Valley title. A better offensive team will push them. 262 yards to a South Dakota team that is not nearly as good is more than you’d like to see as a Penguin supporter.
| Illinois State 21 Northern Iowa 13 |
| Indiana State 56 Missouri State 23 |
| Youngstown State 31 South Dakota 3 |
| Western Illinois 37 Southern Illinois 36 |
| North Dakota State 28 South Dakota State 7 |