STORM LAKE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2023) - For the first time this season, the Buena Vista University football team will run out onto Peterson Field inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium when it wraps up the non-conference schedule by hosting Lakeland University on Saturday afternoon.

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 teams met on the gridiron for the first-ever match-up last season in Plymouth, Wis…BVU rallied by outscoring the Muskies 24-0 in the fourth quarter to hold on for a 41-34 victory…Saturday will be the first time the two teams play inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium.

TEAM COMPARISONS

2023 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing yds per game
BVU: Eman Alaniz (37.0)
LU: Robby Michael (87.0)

Passing yds per game
BVU: Zach Herrera (57.0)
LU: Robby Michael (146.0)

Receiving yds per game
BVU: Eman Alaniz (53.4)
LU: Xavier Thomas (87.0)

Total Tackles
BVU: Trey Ortman (11.0)
LU: Justin McMahon (7.0)

Total Sacks
BVU: Three tied with (1.0)
LU: Karlis Ozols (1.0)

Interceptions
BVU: N/A
LU: Markese Collins (1)

KO Return Avg.
BVU: Eman Alaniz (21.3)
LU: Jesus Garcia (56.7)

Punt Return Avg.
BVU: N/A
LU: Darrius Mays (-1.0)

SCOUTING THE MUSKIES

SCHEDULE | ROSTER | STATS

Lakeland University, a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), fell last week at home to UW-Platteville, 80-13. The team finished 3-7 a season ago, including a 3-5 mark in NACC play, and is picked to finished sixth in the league standings this fall. 

The Muskies return a more experienced roster here in 2023 with 16 returning players from last year's squad. Among that group is sophomore duel-threat quarterback Robby Michael, who was named the NACC Freshman of the Year after passing for 999 yards and rushing for 895 more. He led the team last week against the Pioneers with 146 yards through the air and 87 more on the ground. Running back Jatron Bevly is also returning and had a monster game against BVU last season where he rushed for five touchdowns - all for over 35 yards, including two of at least 70 yards.

Jayson Wilder, a First Team All-Conference selection as a junior last season returns to help anchor a defensive unit that allowed 571 yards against UW-P in this season's opener. Justin McMahon paced the team with seven total stops in that contest.

ABOUT BUENA VISTA

The Beavers are looking to avoid its first 0-2 start to a season since beginning the 2016 season at 0-4 overall. The team dropped its season opener on the road last week, 51-7, at Gustavus Adolphus which entered the game receiving votes in the D3football.com Preseason Poll.

BVU finished last week with 129 yards of total offense with Eman Alaniz rushing for 37 and hauling in 53 more through the air. Senior Keaton Huebner scored on a two-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter for the team's only score and finished the game with 29 yards on only nine carries. Quarterback Zach Herrera completed 4-of-9 pass attempts for 57 yards and was intercepted once.

Defensively, senior Trey Ortman registered a career-high 11 total tackles, which was the third-most in the A-R-C, to help lead the way. BVU allowed 580 yards of total offensive, including 382 yards and six touchdowns through the air.