STORM LAKE, Iowa (Oct. 13, 2023) - The Buena Vista University football team (0-5, 0-3 A-R-C) returns home to cap its Homecoming/Hall of Fame Weekend with a match-up inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium against Luther College (0-5, 0-4 A-R-C) on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

GAME COVERAGE

Radio: 97.5FM KBVU (local)
Live Audio: https://www.kbvu975.com/
Live Video: https://team1sports.com/buenavista/
Live Stats: https://bvuathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

INSIDE THE SERIES:  This year marks the 77th overall meeting between the two programs…They have met on the gridiron every since 1950…The first-ever meeting came back in 1928 with Luther winning, 12-6…The Norse lead the all-time series, 44-32. Buena Vista enters this year's game having won three straight in the series, including a thrilling 52-49 contest last season over in Decorah…The Beavers have been victorious in five of the last six match-ups played inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium.

2023 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing yds per game
BVU: Eman Alaniz (25.4)
LUT: Vershon Brooks (38.4)

Passing yds per game
BVU: Zach Herrera (109.6)
LUT: Beau Cornwell (166.4)

Receiving yds per game
BVU: Eman Alaniz (60.4)
LUT: Tommy Kaktis (84.5)

Total Tackles
BVU: Dylan Berens/Trey Ortman (26.0)
LUT: Tyler Ragan (51.0)

Total Sacks
BVU: Dylan Berens (3.0)
LUT: Brayden Daly (2.0)

Interceptions
BVU: Matthew Beisswenger/Jorge Pinon (1.0)
LUT: Four tied (1.0)

KO Return Avg.
BVU: Isaia Morones (49.0)
LUT: Bryce Glaspie (20.0)

Punt Return Avg.
BVU: Eman Alaniz (25.0)
LUT: Bryce Glaspie (4.0)

SCOUTING THE NORSE

SCHEDULE | ROSTER | STATS

The Norse were shutout for the first time this season last week at No. 4 Wartburg College, 54-0. In that game, they were held to a season-low 88 yards of total offense. For the season, the Norse rank eighth in the conference in total offense (238.6ypg), total defense (456.6ypg) and scoring offense (15.2ppg). Luther has not won more than two games in a single season since going 6-4 in 2017.

Most of the team's production through five games has come through the air, where the team is averaging 173.8ypg. Quarterback Beau Cornwell has passed for 832 yards and seven touchdowns. On the ground, the team is turning in just over 64.0ypg and is lead by Vershon Brooks at 38.4ypg. As a team, Luther has rushed for two touchdowns on the year.

Defensively, the team is ranked sixth among all A-R-C teams in passing defense at 279.4ypg and eighth in defending the run (177.2ypg). Tyler Ragen leads the way with 51 total tackles for the year while Brayden Daly is second with 40, but does lead the way with 10.0 tackles for a loss and two sacks. The team has also intercepted four passes.
 

ABOUT BUENA VISTA

The Beavers return home this week for Homecoming after a tough 52-7 road loss a week ago at Coe College. In that contest, the team was held to a season-low 26 yards rushing. For the year, BVU is averaging 11.6 points per game and 193.4 yards of total of offense.

On the ground, junior Eman Alaniz and Keaton Huebner lead the way with 25.4 and 21.4 yards per game, respectively. The duo has accounted for all five rushing TD's this season. Through the air, quarterback Zach Herrera is averaging 109.6ypg while throwing for just two scores. Alaniz has been a go-to target with 20 catches for 302 yards and both TD's. No other player on the team has more than eight receptions.

Alaniz also leads the way with 21 kickoff returns for an average of 17.71 per return that ranks eighth in the league. His 165.2 all-purpose yards per game is currently ranked seventh in all of Division III.

Defensively, BVU is allowing a league-high 532.0 yards of total offense per contest. Dylan Berens and Trey Ortman lead the way with with 26 total tackles apiece with Berens registering a team-high three tackles for a loss and a pair of sacks. The team is averaging just over 3.0 tackles for a loss per game. Matthew Beisswenger and Jorge Pinon have intercepted the team's only two passes this season.