Game 8 Preview: Concordia at Hamline

GAME 8: #20/17 Concordia (6-1/4-1 MIAC) at Hamline (2-4/0-4 MIAC) 

DATE: October 24, 2015
LOCATION: St. Paul, Minn. (Klas Field)
GAME TIME: 1 p.m.
RADIO: 1660-AM in the F-M area

Live Video: Hamline Stretch GameDay

Live Stats: Hamline Stretch GameDay

Live Audio: MN Sports Network

Cobbers vs. Hamline Series History:
Series started: 1936

Cobbers lead overall series: 59-11-0

Series Synopsis: Concordia has won the last 23 meetings between the two teams. The last time the Pipers prevailed was in 1991 when they won 30-20 in St. Paul....the Cobbers have only played at Hamline seven times since the 2000 season and are 7-0 in those games. The closest game during that streak came in 2008 when CC prevailed 18-17. In that game, Concordia needed a 27-yard field goal with 12-seconds to play to earn the win. The strangest game for CC on the road at Hamline came in 2005 when Concordia turned the ball over eight times but still won 24-7…the teams have played two games in domes with Concordia winning both. The Cobbers won 49-19 in the Fargo Dome in 1997 and 28-24 in the Metrodome in 1987…the teams have also played in a white-out blizzard. In 1986 the Cobbers hosted Hamline in the final game of the regular season. A winter storm blew into the F-M area on Friday night. By Saturday morning Highway 94 was closed and the game was played before a few hearty souls and in 35mph wind that made seeing more than 10 yards ahead almost impossible. Concordia won the "Snow Bowl" game 19-3...the most points ever scored by a team in a single game is 64. That occurred in Concordia's 64-14 win in 1955...Cobber head coach Terry Horan is 14-0 vs. Hamline.

Cobber vs. Piper Complete Series History (pdf)

Cobber Football in the Fargo-Moorhead Media:

Fargo Forum
- Cobbers on a roll heading into road game at Hamline

Stat Central:

- 2015 Concordia Statistics

- 2015 Hamline Statistics

- 2015 MIAC Statistics

- 2015 Concordia NCAA Team/Individual Rankings

- 2015 Hamline NCAA Team/Individual Rankings

Pick 6 - 6 Items To Help You Take It To The House:
1. West Coast Cobbers. Concordia nearly doubles up opponents scoring wise each game. Averaging 34.4 points per game, opposing teams average just 17.7 points per contest against the Cobbers. The mark of 34.4 points per game is 54th in the nation.
2. Move the Chains. The Cobbers have picked up 161 first downs this season despite averaging the fifth most yards per game in the MIAC. Only Gustavus has dialed up more first downs and Concordia is 16th in the country in the statistical category.
3. 3rd/4th and Long. A staple in the pick six thus far, Concordia is extremely efficient on third and fourth down. The Cobbers are 43-84 (52%) on third down and 15-16 (94%) on fourth down. Those marks are tied for ninth and second in the country, respectively. 
4. Stellar Sophomores. With the absence of Rick Hutchinson, the Cobbers have had three sophomores in the backfield step up in a big way. The trio of Chad Johnson, Jason Montonye and Conor Gessell are the team's leading rushers, averaging just over 135 yards per game combined. With 14 touchdowns between the three, they have amassed over 900 yards together this season. The most impressive statistic is the average yards per carry. While Johnson bruises opponents going for 6.1 yards a carry, Montonye and Gesell possess breakaway speed as they both average 7.5 yards per attempt. Michael Herzog and Adam Essler are fourth and fifth, respectively in rushing yards and are also sophomores. 
5. Battle of Field Position. On kickoffs, Hamline averages under 50 yards per kick. Standing back deep in Concordia territory is Brandon Zylstra who averages over 31 yards per return. 
6. Red Zone Hayday. Hamline is ranked 239th out of 241 teams in the country in red zone defense as teams score 95% of the time in the red zone. Concordia scores on 85% of it's red zone possessions which is tied for 44th in the nation.

Scouting the Pipers:
Hamline comes into Saturday's game with a 2-4 record and an 0-4 mark in MIAC play. Last week the team traveled to nationally ranked St. Thomas and was defeated 78-7.

The Pipers have been juggling three quarterbacks under center this season. Kyle Johnson has taken the most snaps under center but Luke Lindquist has seen the majority of the time on the field over the last few weeks. However, last week at St. Thomas freshman Justice Spriggs made his first start at signal caller for Hamline. Spriggs went 12-for-27 with 144 yards, 70 of them coming on a 70-yard touchdown connection with Naji El-Araby. That play was the longest play from scrimmage for the Pipers this season.

Senior Austin Duncan takes the bulk of the carries out of the backfield. The senior, and New Orleans native, averages just over 60 yards per contest and has found the end zone four times this season. Brendan Nachtrieb has been the back on later downs and averages nearly 40 yards rushing per game.

On the perimeter for Hamline are wide receivers Nick Kampa and El-Araby. Kampa has been the most consistent target, as he averages 18.61 yards per pass hauled in and just over 85 yards receiving a game along with four touchdowns this season. El-Araby averages 47 yards a game and has found the end zone three times. El-Araby is also the primary punt returner for the Pipers.

The defense is led by Darrian Smith. The starting safety has recorded a team high 37 tackles and one interception this season. Junior linebacker Jonny Nguyen follows right behind Smith with 36 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.

Miscellaneous Stats:  
- The Pipers commit the second most penalties of all MIAC schools with eight per game.
- Hamline averages 112.2 yards rushing per game which is last in the MIAC. 
- 3rd/4th Down Doom. The Pipers only convert on third down 31% of the time and just 29% on fourth down.

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 - #19 QB Michael Herzog
The dual threat quarterback will need to use this game as a final tune-up before St. Thomas the following weekend. The Detroit Lakes' product averages 98 yards through the air and another 30 yards on the ground per game. 

Defense –#30 CB Christian Erickson
Erickson will be facing a freshman quarterback in Spriggs presumably, and will look to lock up big play threat Nick Kampa on the perimeter. Erickson's 27 tackles is first on the team among cornerbacks.

Coach Horan Preview Interview: