RIPON, Wis. - Ripon's football team is coming off a gritty victory at Macalester last weekend and will return home on Saturday in hopes of evening their conference record against Beloit College. This will be the 105th meeting against the Buccaneers in a series that dates back to the 1893 season. Ripon has played just one team more than they've played Beloit over the years, holding a 71-29-4 advantage against the Buccaneers. The Red Hawks have won 12 of the last 13 meetings, with the only loss during that span coming in 2016.

Ripon (2-5, 1-2 MWC) has even more incentive for a victory against Beloit (1-6, 1-2 MWC) this weekend, as it will be the team's annual Senior Day celebration, honoring their 11 seniors, Karl Boddy, Cameron Gruenwald, Eric Doll, Armando Mosqueda, Tyler VanDeVelde, Logan Bidlingmaier, Bennett Groves, Jon Ryback, Austin Bunders, Lane Barnes, and Ryan Bansemer. That group has been a part of 16 victories during the past four years, including a 7-3 record last season.

"This has been a special group that has been a lot of fun to be around the last four years. They have all worked extremely hard and have stuck with this program through thick and thin, which reflects their character and who they are as men," Ripon Head Coach Ron Ernst said. "This group of seniors will be sorely missed after this season, but I'm very proud of what they've accomplished and the leadership that they have provided for our team."

The Red Hawks have started games very well this season, allowing just 27 first-quarter points in their seven contests, while shutting out their opponent in the first quarter in seven of those games, including last week. The Red Hawks have also scored first in all but one of their games this season. With more than half the team consisting of underclassmen, the Ripon coaching staff was happy to see the team close out last week's game, as they have lost two games by less than eight points this season.

"I was pleased to to see us get the victory last week because we've had some games like that where we weren't able to finish, so it was really gratifying to see us come away with the win," Ernst said. "We really battled the entire game and it came down to the final seconds. I can tell that we've grown as a team and we continue to improve."

With 301 rushing yards last week, that marked the second time Ripon has eclipsed 300 yards on the ground this season. They enter the weekend averaging a conference-best 229.7 rushing yards per game, while also ranking second in the league in time of possession and sixth in scoring offense (20.4 ppg). 

"Last week was one of our best offensive games of the season," Ernst said. "We shot ourselves in the foot a couple times with some mistakes, which we will have to eliminate, but overall they played very well."

This week, Ripon will play a Beloit team that enters the weekend ranking last in the MWC in points allowed (38.8 ppg), total offense (161.3 ypg), rushing offense (62.8 ypg), total defense (386.3 ypg), first downs per game (8.7) and opponents first downs per game (22.5).

"They're a team under a new coaching staff that is trying to find their identity. They have had some success doing certain things throughout the season, but haven't maybe done it as consistently as they would like," Ernst said. "They have some talent and they're a team that we have to take very seriously because they are capable of doing some very good things if we allow that to happen."

One highlight of Beloit's season has been the play of wide receiver Juan Reyes, who leads the Buccaneers with 31 receptions for 360 yards, which ranks third and seventh in the MWC, respectively. Reyes has also caught three touchdowns this season, which is tied for fifth in the conference, while averaging 11.6 yards per reception.

"We always try to take away the things our opponent does well and we'll try to minimize their playmakers as much as we can," Ernst said. "We have a good game plan going in, so I believe our players will do well."

For the 11 Seniors on Ripon's football team, this will be the final time they step onto the turf at Ingalls Field in a game situation. That only adds to the motivation for the rest of the team, as they want to send their seniors out right.

"We always want to send our seniors out with a victory in their final home game," Ernst said. "Our eleven seniors are very well respected, so when a group has earned that respect from other players, those players want to do what's right and send the Seniors out on a high note."

Saturday's kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Ingalls Field in Ripon. The game can also be seen live online at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.