Game Notes vs. Lawrence University

RIPON, Wis. - Coming off one of the most incredible fourth quarter comebacks in program history, the Ripon College Football team is riding a wave of momentum into this weekend's game at Lawrence University. The Red Hawks erased a 15-point deficit last Saturday against the University of Chicago, scoring 22 unanswered points in the final 13 minutes to earn a 36-29 victory and put themselves in position to finish in the top half of the MWC North Division standings. A win against Lawrence, coupled with a Macalester loss would move the Red Hawks into a second place tie in the MWC North.

Before Ripon (3-5, 2-2 MWC North) can worry about the standings however, they must first get by Lawrence (2-6, 1-3 MWC North) in what is the oldest college football rivalry in the state of Wisconsin, and seventh-oldest in the country. The two teams have met 116 times, dating back to the 1893 season, with Ripon leading the all-time series 63-46-7. The Red Hawks have won the last 17 meetings, meaning Lawrence is yet to defeat Ripon in this millennium, and has won 21 of their last 22 meetings. Ripon Head Coach Ron Ernst has lost just four times in 26 career games against the Vikings.

What makes the series even more exciting is that they play for the rights to the Doehling-Heselton trophy, which has been given to the winner of this game since 1988. It is named for former legendary Ripon and Lawrence coaches, Carl Doehling and Bernie Heselton, respectively.

"This is one of the top 10 college football rivalries in the nation," Ernst said. "When you play in this type of game at this point in the season, you throw the records out the window. It doesn't matter if one team is better than the other because this game is played with a tremendous amount of intensity and passion. Our alums enjoy coming back to see us play in this game, so I would expect to see a very good intense rivalry game."

After a game like last week's, you may expect Ripon to be beaming with excitement, but as the case has been all season, the Red Hawks are focused on the task at hand.

"The mood right after last week's game was quite ecstatic and it was a great day to be a part of our program, but the thing that I've been pleased with all season long is that no matter what happens on Saturday, our players are able to put that behind them, and focus on the next opponent," Ernst said. "Our players have played with a high level of excitement and intensity in practice all year, and we know the kind of rivalry game that this is in front of us, with the chance to finish very strong in the division."

Lawrence enters Saturday's game ranking 11th in the MWC in scoring (18.0 ppg), total offense (260.6 ypg), and pass offense (106.8 ypg), while ranking eighth in the league in rushing offense (153.9 ypg). Despite that, the Vikings have some play-makers, such as running back Wasonu Allen, who ranks 10th in the MWC with 521 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Allen also ranks second in the league in kick return average (27.2).

"Offensively, they have some tremendous speed and like to use a lot of misdirection and deception," Ernst said. "We have to be ready for that. If we are prepared, then we'll be fine. We match up well, so we'll just have to play our game."

Ripon will counter that offense with a defense that is allowing just 98.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks second in the MWC. That would rank fifth in program history, just seven yards per game shy of the school record of 91.8, which was set in Ripon's 1966 MWC Championship season. The Red Hawks 'D' also ranks fourth in both scoring defense (25.9 ppg) and total defense (316.6 ypg).

One of the most pleasant surprises for the Red Hawks this season has been the play of their defensive backs, which was a big reason for last week's comeback victory. In that 22-point fourth quarter, Ripon intercepted four passes, coming from Jared Zeman, Cameron Gruenwald, Armando Mosqueda, and Lane Barnes, who returned his INT 60 yards for a touchdown in one of the most pivotal plays of the game.

"Our defensive backs are really coming on in the last few weeks and are playing with a lot of confidence," Ernst said. "I'm trying to just let them be the great athletes that they are and we're trying to do what we do best, while understanding what the opponent is going to do.".

Lawrence's defense is eighth in the MWC, allowing 29.8 points per game, while allowing 411.3 yards per contest, which ranks ninth in the conference. One of the top play-makers is defensive back Terrell Myers, who currently ranks second in the MWC for passes defended (11), while also ranking sixth in interceptions (3), returning one for a touchdown. Myers also leads the league in kick return average (28.4), including a long of 64.

"They have some defensive players that are very good," Ernst said. "They run to the ball very well and have the ability to cover, and have some size up front."

In order to be competitive, Lawrence will have to stop Ripon's rushing attack, which leads the MWC with 239.3 yards per game. They are led by freshman quarterback Julian Patton, who ranks third in the MWC with 11 rushing touchdowns, in addition to ranking sixth in rushing yards per game (81.4 ypg). Running Back Brent Anderson ranks second in the conference in yards per carry with 9.3.

Saturday's game will kickoff at 1 p.m. from the Banta Bowl in Appleton, Wis., and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.