Tigers look for revenge at Martin Luther

NEW ULM, Minn. - In last year's homecoming game, Iowa Wesleyan nearly pulled off the upset of the year against first-place Martin Luther.

The Tiger defense had held the Knights to just seven points through three quarters, and then put up 11 points in the first four minutes of the fourth period to lead 21-7 with less than nine minutes remaining.

The Knights, however, turned what could have bene a marquee Tiger win into a homecoming nightmare. Martin Luther scored on passing touchdowns from 27 yards and 28 yards respectively to tie the game. Then, with less than three minutes left in the game and the ball at their own 26, the Knights went deep into the playbook to call a trick play on first down that ended with wide receiver Joshua Schroeder throwing a 74-yard touchdown pass to a wide open man, stunning the Tigers in what would end up a 28-21 Martin Luther victory.

Martin Luther springboarded that victory into five more to finish the conference undefeated. The IW game was Martin Luther's closest loss in UMAC play, and the Knights ended their seaosn in the NCAA Division III playoffs, albeit losing 84-6 in the first round.

The Tigers could use some of the magic it used in the first three-and-a-half quarters last season when the two teams play again on Saturday, Oct. 12. The two teams kick off at noon, with Martin Luther coming in 3-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while IW is 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the UMAC.

Martin Luther sports the most balanced team in the conference. The Knights have the second-best scoring offense, putting up 30.8 points per game, and the second-best scoring defense, allowing 22.5.

IW is scoring just 6.8 points per game, which is last in the conference. They are eighth in scoring defense, giving up 35 per game.

Martin Luther is led by running back Austin DeNoyer, who leads the conference with 121.3 rushing yards per game. He has found the end zone five times on the ground.

Teammate Joshuah Kren isn't too far behind him. He has run for 84.3 yards per game and scored five times. That gives the Knights two of the top four running backs in the UMAC.

Quarterback Ethan Aguilar averages 112.3 yards per game, and has thrown for five touchdowns and three interceptions. Top receiver Mike Radue averages 51.8 yards per game, and has scored twice.

IW quarterback Leo Alvarez has thrown for exactly 400 yards this season, averaging 80 yards per game with two touchdowns and six picks. Jacob Santos is 16th in the conference in receiving yards, averaging 35.2 yards per game with one touchdown.

The Tigers are still trying to find their footing on the ground after a lower-body injury knocked out running back Jacquez Hall. IW does not have another player over 100 yards rushing.

After the game this weekend, IW will go on bye before returning home to face MacMurray College on Saturdya, Oct. 26.