Miscues cost the Rams as they fall to 0-2 in conference play
by Jeff Boyle, Sports Editor | Photo by Aaron Hall, Photo Editor

The Rams football team started off the conference season with two tough losses, including one to a ranked Wartburg team. The Rams fell in their non-conference games to Grinnell and Carleton and were looking to get a leg up in the conference. Those hopes were dashed, however, when first Coe and then Wartburg defeated the Rams.

The first conference game of the season pitted the Rams against their archrivals, the Coe Kohawks. The game marked the 118th time the two schools met with Coe holding a 63-51-4 edge in the series. The Rams started the game effectively, holding Coe to a three-and-out in its first offensive possession. On the ensuing Kohawk punt, fourth year Leif Goleman burst through the line and blocked the punt. First year Aaron Spickermann scooped up the loose football and raced 20 yards for the opening score. As the Rams roared faithfully, fourth year Don Bladt added the extra point to give the Rams an early lead. The score was the second special team’s touchdown of the season for the Rams who returned a kickoff for a score in their opener against Grinnell.

This small spark, however, was all the Rams would get for the rest of the half. The next three Kohawk possessions would end in touchdowns and the Ram’s offense struggled to get anything going, ending the half with only 50 yards of total offense. The Rams headed to the locker room down 28-7 and searching for answers on the offensive side of the ball.

In the second half, the Rams defense began to buckle down, especially against the Kohawk rushing attack. The stout Rams defense held the Kohawks to seven points in the second half with gritty play. Unfortunately for the Rams, the offense was able to muster only seven points in the second half, ending the game with Coe the victor, 35-14. The Rams lone score of the half was a twenty yard strike from quarterback Dallas Bush to wideout Jesse Struble.

Bush ended the game with 148 passing yards and a touchdown on 36 attempts. Third year tight end Alex Macey was the recipient of nine of those passes and led the team in receiving with 75 total yards. Struble added 33 yards on three catches and one for a touchdown. The Rams struggled to run the football against the Kohawks, but Travion Hardman, fourth year, still gained 38 yards on 16 carries. Defensively, the Rams were led by Goleman, who racked up 10 tackles, nine of which were solo. In the secondary, Jared Sanches and Bladt each had eight tackles to help a Rams defense that got stronger in the second half.

Though the Rams did not win their first conference game of the season, they looked to win number two against the nationally ranked Knights of Wartburg. The Knights, ranked number 22 in the country, were fresh off a big win against Central the week before. The Rams, once again, struck first in the contest when Bush scored on a six-yard scamper just three minutes into the game. However, much like the Coe game, this would be the lone spark for the Rams in the first half. Rams turnovers, and the Wartburg passing game made the first half a one-sided affair, ending with Wartburg in front 27-7.

The second half again saw the Rams defense stiffen, but the offense could not muster more than seven points, and the Knights emerged victorious, 37-14. After a field goal by the Knights early in the third quarter, Cornell drove down the field and Hardman punched it in from two yards out. The Knights would score again in the fourth, however, and turnovers killed the Rams’ hope of winning. Special teams also struggled, as the Rams had a 27-yard field goal blocked.

Bush had a big day for the Rams with 342 yards of total offense. Bush rushed for 113 and threw for 229 yards. The Rams’ receiving corps was led once again by Macey, who caught seven passes for 77 yards. Second year Morgan Campbell caught six for 75 yards to be the second leading receiver. Other than Bush, Hardman led the Rams rushing attack with 77 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the Rams were led by Garrett Weddle and Bladt, who had nine tackles apiece to lead the team. Goleman also had eight tackles, and Joe Barlow had an interception in the third quarter.

Though the Rams started the conference season with two losses, there is ample reason to believe they will win this season. The Rams outgained the Knights on offense, racking up 416 total yards. Should the Rams be able to keep their turnovers down, their offense appears to be on the right track and will score plenty of points this season. Defensively, the Rams seem to actually get stronger as the game progresses, holding teams to less in the second half than in the first. Should the Rams be able to do the same in the first half, they have a great chance to win some conference games this season. All can catch the Rams at homecoming on Oct. 11 against Simpson.