STORM LAKE, Iowa (Oct. 26, 2023) - The Buena Vista University football team (1-6, 1-4 A-R-C) returns home this Saturday looking to get back into the win column when it hosts Loras College (3-4, 2-3 A-R-C) inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium 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: The two programs meet on the gridiron for its 46th all-time match-up. Loras leads the all-time series, 24-21, and have won seven straight, including a 65-0 shutout last season inside of the Rock Bowl. Buena Vista last defeated Loras, 48-29, on the road back in 2014. This is the first time the two sides have played in Storm Lake since 2019 with the last two played here have been one score contests, including a 40-39 OT win by the Duhawks in 2019. 

2023 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing yds per game
BVU: Eman Alaniz (37.7)
LOR: Jamel Britt (44.9)

Passing yds per game
BVU: Zach Herrera (97.9)
LOR: Evan England (283.9)

Receiving yds per game
BVU: Eman Alaniz (50.6)
LOR: Mani Brown (100.9)

Total Tackles
BVU: Trey Ortman (42.0)
LOR: Josh Rydberg (62.0)

Total Sacks
BVU: Dylan Berens (3.0)
LOR: Sean Doyle (2.5)

Interceptions
BVU: Three tied (1.0)
LOR: Seven tied (1.0)

KO Return Avg.
BVU: Dolan Pospichal (18.0)
LOR: Hareson Willis (23.9)

Punt Return Avg.
BVU: Eman Alaniz (15.0)
LOR: Mani Brown (8.3)

SCOUTING THE DUHAWKS

SCHEDULE | ROSTER | STATS

The Duhawks have dropped three of their last four games overall, including a tough 62-7 setback last week against No. 3 Wartburg College. The team's win during that stretch was a thrilling 41-38 overtime triumph against Nebraska Wesleyan two weeks ago.

The team ranks right in the middle of the pack among conference teams in scoring this season at over 28.0 ppg but they are one of three teams allowing over 40.0 ppg. Junior quarterback Evan England has helped spark the offensive attack with nearly 2,000 yards passing and 17 touchdowns. His average of 289.3 ypg ranks third in the A-R-C while his 208 completions lead the way. His top target has been Mani Brown, who's caught a league-best 66 passes and 12 touchdowns while sitting third with 706 yards. Overall, five different receivers have hauled in at least 20 catches with three of those sitting with over 400 yards.

On the ground, Loras is fifth during conference play in rushing yards per game at 100.8. The Duhawks have four rushing touchdowns in those games and nine overall this season. It has been a solid one-two punch with junior running backs, Jamel Britt and Johnnie Cason III. Britt leads the team and ranks sixth in the league in rushing overall this season at 44.9ypg with Cason III close behind at 38.9. He has the team's only 100-yard performance this season when he scampered for 112 against Luther College.

Defensively, the Duhawks are allowing over 400.0 yards of total offense per game. The unit has been led by senior strong safety Josh Rydberg's 62 total tackles which is fourth most in the conference. His 43 solo stops, however, are most in the league and he's also tied for the team lead with eight pass breakups. Seven different players have intercepted one pass this season. Senior inside linebacker Dawson Charley is among that group and is also tops on the team with 6.5 tackles for a loss. His 40 tackles are tied with senior free safety Brett Bower for second-most on the team.

Haerson Willis has been a threat returning kickoffs this season, averaging just less than 24 yards per return on 15 total attempts, which leads the A-R-C. The team has used a pair of punters throughout the year as well and average just less than 30.0 yards per attempt.

ABOUT BUENA VISTA

The Beavers return home where they are 1-2 this season and look to get back on track after suffering a 41-0 road loss at the University of Dubuque this season. It's the second time the team has been blanked in three road games overall.

BVU is averaging over 18 points per game on the home turf compared to just 4.5ppg on the road. It's season-high 28 points came against Simpson College on Sept. 30 and it has been held to under 200 yards of total offense in two of the three outings since. Junior tailback Eman Alaniz continues to be a threat on that side of the ball, leading the team in both rushing yards per game (37.7ypg) and receiving yards per contest (50.6ypg). For the year, he ranks sixth in the American Rivers Conference in scoring per game average at 7.2ppg. He's also among both the conference and national leaders in all-purpose yards per game at 154.7ypg. Keaton Huebner is the only player other than Alaniz to have over 25 rushing attempts this season. He is averaging 17.0ypg on 58 total carries.

Through the air, junior quarterback Zach Herrera is averaging 97.9ypg and has thrown for two touchdowns and six interceptions. Alaniz has hauled in both TD grabs for the Beavers. He has 25 catches on the year while no other player on the team has reached 10.

Defensively, BVU is allowing 485.0 yards per game and an average of nearly 6.5 yards per play. Senior Trey Ortman leads the way with 42 total tackles on the year and ranks 11th in the A-R-C at 6.0 tackles per game. Defensive lineman Dylan Berens and Keaton Bindel have combined for 7.0 tackles for a loss resulting in a loss of 47 yards. Berens also leads the team with three sacks. Overall, BVU has intercepted three passes with Matthew Beisswenger chalking up five pass breakups.

Beisswenger has punted a league-high 46 times this season and is ranked sixth overall while averaging 34.3 yards per boot. His four kicks of at least 50 yards are tied for second-most in the league and he has landed seven inside of the 20-yard line.