NCAA DIVISION III FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 1ST ROUND
Coe College (9-1) at Wheaton College (9-1)
12 PM -- November 20, 2010
LINK TO THE INTERACTIVE PLAYOFF BRACKET
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WHEATON AUDIO BROADCAST -- COE AUDIO BROADCAST
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VISITOR GUIDE
COE COLLEGE (9-1)
For the first time in school history, the Coe football team is making back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division III Football playoffs. Fresh off its second-straight runner-up finish in the Iowa Conference, the Kohawks finished 9-1 overall, with the lone loss coming to undefeated Iowa Conference Champion Wartburg. In Coe’s nine wins this season, the offense has out-scored the opposition by an average margin of 24 points. The Kohawks are currently ranked No. 13 in the country in the D3Football.com and AFCA polls.
In national statistical rankings, the Coe offense as a whole is ranked No. 14 in total offense (469.4 yards per game), No. 19 in passing offense (282.7 yards per game) and No. 21 in scoring offense (38.4 points per game).
The Kohawks have a balanced attack on offense, led by reigning Iowa Conference MVP Brad Boyle. Using his arm and his legs, Boyle has put up numbers unseen before for a Kohawk quarterback. While his passing numbers have put him in an elite category, his rushing touchdown totals put him in a class with former Gagliardi Trophy winner Carey Bender and current Buffalo Bill Fred Jackson. Boyle has had two 300-plus yard passing games this season, giving him five for his career, the most in school history. Boyle is ranked sixth in the country in passing efficiency with a 175.39 rating. He is also No. 12 nationally in total offense at 290.5 yards per game.
Joining Boyle in the backfield is sophomore running back Brendan Leiran. Leiran has rushed for over 100 yards in nine of the Kohawks 10 games this season, something that hasn’t been done at Coe since Fred Jackson did it in eight games in 2002. Leiran eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career, becoming the 15th player in school history to do so.
When the Kohawks are running the ball, they are spreading it around to an array of receivers. Michael Rozum, Nick Ratchford and Tyler Takes have all gone over the 1,000-yard mark for their careers. Adding to that, Rozum and Ratchford both have over 100 career receptions.
A slew of first-year starters have populated the Kohawk defense this season. After replacing three All-Iowa Conference linebackers, along with an injured All-American, at defensive end, many new faces saw the turf on the defensive side of the ball. Juniors Connor Worthington and Ben Carr have picked up the slack at linebacker, leading the team in tackles this season.
COE FOOTBALL RESULTS & STATISTICS
WHEATON COLLEGE (9-1)
Wheaton finished the regular season with a 9-1 overall record and a 6-1 record in CCIW play to finish second in the CCIW. The Thunder earned an at-large bid into the playoffs. Wheaton is making its seventh appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs and the program’s sixth postseason berth in the past nine seasons. Wheaton has a 10-6 all-time record in the postseason and perfect 6-0 record in the first round.
The Thunder has had a strong season with impressive come-from-behind wins against Augustana and Carthage among the highlights. The offense has churned out 406.3 yards per game, including 203.7 yards rushing and 202.6 passing yards per contest. Quarterback Jordan Roberts leads the team with 1,258 yards passing with a 66.5% completion rate and 12 touchdowns through the air. He also has 394 yards rushing for an average of 6.6 yards per carry and two touchdowns. At running back, the Thunder have three players with least 400 yards this year, including Rocky Gingg (478 yards), Peter Jarrett (467 yards) and Joey Skogen (409 yards). Freddy Ellis has made 35 catches, with 543 yards and two touchdowns. Teddy Watkins also has 31 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns.
The Thunder defense has tallied 33 takeaways on the year, with a school-record 22 interceptions. The previous record for interceptions in a season was 21 in 1950 and 1952. Wheaton’s defenders are also holding opponents to a 46.8% completion percentage, with a pass efficiency defense rating of 94.86, and 79 tackles for a total loss of 344 yards. The defense is paced in tackles by linebacker Jordan Chapman with 58 total, including 5.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Cornerback Tyler Langs leads the secondary with six interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Langs is also currently ranked 11th in Division III in punt returns, with an average of 15.8 yards per return with 26 returns for 411 yards, with an 80-yard touchdown return against UW-Platteville. Defensive end JD East is tops on the team with nine tackles for a loss while defensive end Ryan Dougan has five sacks on the year.
A total of 12 Thunder players earned All-Conference distinction in the CCIW this week - seven on defense and five on offense. The First Team selections included cornerback Tyler Langs, defensive end JD East and center Nick Biggee. The Second Team honorees were safety Brian McMullen, linebacker Jordan Chapman, linebacker Cory Hart, defensive tackle Charley Mitchell, defensive end Robert Ramsay, tight end Austin Zoerhof, wide receiver Freddy Ellis, offensive tackle Tommy Burggraf and offensive tackle Luke Griffith.
Kicker Scott Roche now owns the school record for field goals in a season as he has gone 16-of-25 on the year, which puts him first in the nation in field goals per game. He is now 25-of-40 in two years as the full-time kicker for the Thunder. Andrew Day holds the record for most career field goals in school history with 32 (2002-05).
WHEATON RESULTS & STATISTICS
