Game 5 Preview: Bethel at Concordia

GAME 5: #23/20 Bethel (3-1/2-0 MIAC) at Concordia (3-1/1-1 MIAC)

DATE: October 3, 2015
LOCATION: Moorhead, Minn. (Jake Christiansen Stadium)
GAME TIME: 1 p.m.
RADIO: 1660-AM in the F-M area

Live Video: Cobber Primetime GameDay

Live Stats: Cobber Primetime GameDay

Live Audio: MN Sports Network

Cobbers vs. Bethel Series History:
Series started: 1978
Cobbers lead overall series: 22-15-0
Series Synopsis: Bethel has won six straight in the series and eight of the last nine games played against the two teams. The only win for the Cobbers in that stretch came in 2008 in Moorhead. Before those eight games, Concordia had claimed three of the previous four. The Royals hold a 9-4 advantage in the last 13 games in the series...the most points scored in a single game in the series came in 2007 when Bethel won 48-45 in triple overtime in one of the most exciting games ever played at "The Jake"...Concordia is 8-4 against BU in the last 12 games played in Moorhead. Cobber head coach Terry Horan is 6-8 vs. Bethel.

Cobber vs. Royal Complete Series History (pdf)

Cobber Football in the Fargo-Moorhead Media:
Fargo Forum
- Pirate Steve adds toughness 

Fargo Forum
-  Cobbers looking to break losing streak against Bethel        

Last Year: Concordia 17 at Bethel 27
Concordia turned the ball over twice, conceded a 94-yard kickoff return and couldn't come up with consecutive key defensive stops in a 27-17 loss at Bethel.

The game hinged on a pair of big plays in the second quarter. The first pivotal play occurred after the Cobbers marched 75 yards in 17 plays and took their only lead of the game at 7-6. The Royals took the ensuing kickoff on their own 6-yard line and ran 94 yards to retake the lead at 13-7. The second key play took place after the Royals added a third TD with just over 5-minutes to play in the first half. CC then took the ball and drove 61 yards in 10 plays to get to the Bethel 15-yard line but then had an interception end the drive.

The two teams were almost identical in the statistics category. The Cobbers held the ball for 34:48 as compared to 25:12 for the Royals.
 
The only other statistic that was in favor of one team was turnovers. CC turned the ball over twice while Bethel did not have a single miscue. The Royals have had only one turnover in the past five games against the Cobbers. Concordia has now lost six straight to Bethel. During that six-game stretch CC has turned the ball over 22 more times than BU.

Concordia had a 17-15 edge in first downs while Bethel owned a slim 262-249 advantage in total offense. The Cobber defense held Bethel's running game to 94 yards.

Griffin Neal led the team in rushing. He had 25 yards on 13 carries. He was also 19-for-31 for 158 passing yards.

Jon Baune had team highs in catches and receiving yards.  He caught eight passes for 61 yards.

Levi Hintermeister had a career-high 16 tackles including 3.5 tackles for a loss. 

Stat Central:

- 2015 Concordia Statistics

- 2015 Bethel Statistics

- 2015 MIAC Statistics

- 2015 Concordia NCAA Team/Individual Rankings

- 2015 Bethel NCAA Team/Individual Rankings

Pick 6 - 6 Items To Help You Take It To The House:
Since this is Homecoming week we wanted to add the two-point conversion to the weekly "Pick 6" which gives you eight items for the price of six! 
1. Homecoming History. Saturday is the annual Homecoming game for the Cobbers. Concordia is only 3-2 in Homecoming games since 2010. CC went 6-4 in the 2000's at Homecoming. The 1990's and 1980's were the most dominant decades for Homecoming games. The Cobbers went 8-2 in the 90's and 9-1 during the 80's. Since 1970, Concordia has recorded a record of 32-13 in Homecoming games.  
2. Turnover, Turnovers, Turnovers. Concordia has lost six straight games to Bethel and during that stretch has turned the ball over 22 more times than the Royals. 
3. West Coast Cobbers. Outscoring their opponents by 20 points per game, Concordia puts up 33.8 points per game while opponents average just 13.8 points per game. 
4. Football IQ. Both Bethel and Concordia have a tendency to commit more penalties than most teams. Through the first four games, both teams have committed 28 penalties for an average of seven per game.
5. Red Zone Efficiency. Concordia features one of the top red zone efficient teams on both sides of the ball. Scoring on 94% of their drives this season, the Cobber offense is 15th in the country. Meanwhile, the Cobber "Black Shirt" defense is tied for 12th in the nation in red zone stops, as teams have only scored on 50% of attempts inside the 20-yard line. Those marks are also tops in the MIAC.
6. 4th and Long. Concordia is still a perfect 11-for-11 on fourth down this season, tops in the nation for a team with that many tries without a failed attempt.
7. Big Play Potential. With big play threats on the perimeter and out of the backfield, the Cobbers average 16.8 yards per pass completion, which is ranked first in the conference and 18th in the nation.
8. Time of Possession Battle. Concordia is second in the conference in time of possession as the Cobbers hold the ball on average for 32:32 a game. The only team ahead of them in the statistic? Bethel, who holds the ball for an average of 33:43 per game. 

Scouting the Royals:  
The Royals come into Saturday's game matching Concordia with an identical 3-1 record. They dropped a tough 24-14 decision in a top-25 showdown with No. 6 Wartburg College (IA) in week two. Bethel has dominated in it's first two conference games as they have traveled to St. Olaf and defeated the Oles 49-3 and then beat Carleton 58-21 at home last week.

Bethel boasts the top rushing attack in the MIAC and 18th best rushing game in the nation. Averaging 284.3 yards per game, senior Marshall Klitzke makes the Royals go. Klitzke averages 127.3 yards per game and has found the end zone five times this season, both good for top five in the conference. Klitzke's 127.3 yards per game is also 31st in the nation. The Royals turn to sophomore back Bridgeport Tusler on third down. The Maple Grove native averages 70.8 yards per game and has one rushing touchdown this season. Tusler also plays basketball for the Royals. The tandem makes for quite the load in the backfield. Klitzke averages 7.49 yards per carry, good for 18th in the nation and first in the MIAC, while Tusler averages 7.08 yards per carry, 26th in the country and third in the conference. 

Under center for Bethel is freshman Trey Anderson. Head coach Steve Johnson originally had senior Andrew Dzurik slated in as the team's starter but Johnson handed the reins over to Anderson for the MIAC opener against St. Olaf following the loss against Wartburg. It would seem as if Anderson has been a game manager for the Royals, as he averages just 98.5 yards passing per game. Those numbers are skewed, however, as he has attempted passes in each game this season. In games he has started, he has completed 77% (20-26) of his passes for an average of 183.5 yards per game. He has thrown seven touchdowns in his two conference games, which is tops in the conference. 

Anderson's favorite targets are tight end Drew Neuville and wide receiver Bryce Marquardt. The tandem combines for just over 100 yards receiving per game and seven touchdowns between the two of them. 

It will be Anderson's first true test – he has faced two of the bottom three secondaries in the conference in his first two starts.

The Bethel defense boasts a solid defense. The Royals give up 17 points per game and 324 yards of total offense, which is 3rd in the conference. The team collectively averages just 62.8 tackles per game due to the offense's ability to remain on the field. Senior outside linebacker Jesse Moeckly leads the Royals in tackles with 23 total on the season. Zach Eenhuis and Josh Dalki are behind Moeckly with 19 and 18 tackles, respectively. 

Miscellaneous Stats:
- Punt Return Coverage. The Royals lead the MIAC and the nation in punt return coverage. Opponents average a negative five yards per return. 
- Team Passing Efficiecy. Ranked 11th in the nation and first in the MIAC, Bethel has a passing efficiency of 178.37.
- The Royals time of possession is not only 1st in the MIAC, but 25th in the nation. 
- 3rd Down Conversions. The Royals convert on 3rd down 52% of the time, good for 21st in the country and second in the MIAC.

Cobber SID Picks To Click:
Once again we will choose one offensive player and one defensive player who we think will have a chance to have a big game on Saturday. It will give the fans a chance to watch the "key" players on either side of the ball. It will hopefully give an insight into what the keys to success might be.

Offense: #21 FB Chad Johnson
Johnson has been an integral part of the Concordia offense thus far. Leading the team in both rushing yards (235) and touchdowns (6), he has been punishing opposing defenses through the first four games. Johnson is a bruiser as he averages just over six yards per carry and all six of his touchdowns have been on rushes inside the opposition's five-yard line in goal line formation. After his career day last week at St. Olaf, his six rushing scores are tied with St. John's All-American halfback Sam Sura for 3rd in the conference and 15th in the nation.

Sound smart with your friends: The last time Concordia had somebody rush for four touchdowns in a game was back in 2006 when Kevin Williamson rushed for five scores against Augsburg. Johnson came up one shy of Williamson's mark last weekend at St. Olaf. 

Defense: #49 LB Levi Hintermeister
Hintermeister has been the run-stopper for Concordia this season. The senior has plugged up the middle game in and game out as he leads the Cobbers with 31 tackles this season. With three tackles for loss and a sack thus far, Hintermeister could be the key in stopping the powerful Bethel rushing attack, which averages a conference best 284.3 yards rushing per game.

Coach Horan Preview Interview: