STORM LAKE, Iowa (Nov. 14, 2024) - The Buena Vista University football team (2-7, 2-5 A-R-C) is hosting Senior Day for the final game of the season for its American Rivers Conference game on Saturday, Nov. 16, against Dubuque (4-5, 4-3 A-R-C) with kickoff at 1 p.m.

INSIDE THE SERIES: In the last matchup, the Beavers ended up losing 41-0 at Dubuque (Oct.21,2023). The Beavers have lost 5 straight to the Spartans with their last win being Oct.7 2017, with a 44-41 decision.

2024 Individual Leaders

Rushing Yds Per Game
BVU: Eman Alaniz (54.33)
UD: Tyler Olejniczak (31.33)

Passing Yds Per Game
BVU: Zach Herrera (181.44)
UD: Ben Gultig (212.14)

Receiving Yds Per Game
BVU: Blaine Peebles (65.33)
UD: Za'Cameron Brice (106.00)

Total Tackles
BVU: Troy Reynolds (85.0)
UD: CJ Dean (57.0)

Kickoff Return Avg.
BVU: Blaine Peebles (20.10)
UD: Blake Heffron (20.80)

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS

Dubuque is looking to bounce back from a close game against No.12 Wartburg a week ago, resulting in a tough 24-14 loss. The Spartans are currently 4-5 on the season and 4-3 in conference play.

Quarterback Ben Gultig along with receiver Za 'Cameron Brice have been leading this offense through the air. Through their nine games this season, Gultig has completed near 60 percent of his pass attempts for 1,485 yards and 14 TDs and has only thrown 6 INTs. Brice has been great through the air, averaging 106 receiving yards a game and 11 TDs on the season. He has been the favorite target this year with 78 receptions. Tight End Jamari Jenkins has also been a factor in the offense through the air with 8 receiving TDs. Running back Tyler Olejniczak has been solid on the ground, averaging 31.33 yards per game. The Spartans are looking to establish an air attack this weekend as that is where they find more of their success.

Fifth-year LB CJ Dean has been the leader for this Spartan defense, posting 57 tackles this year with 1.5 TFLs. Right behind him is senior linebacker, Channing Williams, with 55 total tackles, 5.0 TFLs and 3 INTs. The unit as a whole has posted 10 Interceptions, 24 Sacks, 59 TFLs and 9 Forced fumbles. 

CJ Dean has punted 18 times so far for 603 yards, averaging 33.50 yards per punt, with his long of 51, putting one inside the 20. Kicker Joseph Xiya has attempted five field goals this season, converting only two of them, with a long of 36 yards.

ABOUT THE BEAVERS

BVU is home this weekend for the final game of the year. The Beavers are coming off a good win against Luther this past weekend, winning 40-13.

Senior quarterback Zach Herrea is looking to keep this consistent run going, having back-to-back games with his completion percentage above 60. Blaine Peebles still remains one of his favorite targets, as he has 47 receptions with 6 receiving TDs and 588 yards on the season. Herrera has completed 60 percent of his pass attempts overall for a combined 1,633 yards and 10 touchdowns.

On the ground, senior Eman Alaniz is still the work-horse by getting the majority of the touches with 151 carries on the season, averaging 3.2 yards per attempt and has rushed for 489 yards and seven scores. Alaniz also is coming off a 200 all-purpose yardage game last week adding 92 receiving yards and a receiving TD.

Defensively, junior linebacker Troy Reynolds is still leading the defense netting 85 total tackles on the season, including 41 solo stops. 4.0 TFLs, 1.0 Sack and a INT. Following is senior Nick Moorshead with 65 tackles and 3.5 TFLs and a INT. Then senior safety Austin Smith with 57 tackles,1.0 TFL and 1 INT. As a unit, the Beavers have 30 TFL's overall and 7.0 sacks, 9 INTs and 6 forced fumbles. Still looking to get off the field on third downs consistently, opponents are converting over 50 percent of the time on third down (50-of-102).

Matthew Beisswenger is coming off winning Special Teams Player of the Week honors by the American Rivers Conference. He has a team-leading 10 pass breakups and 2 INTs, along with a pick-six. Through eight games, he has 46 punt attempts for a total of 1,534 yards total and an avg. of 33.35 yards per attempt. A total of 13 of those have been fair caught with his long to this point in the year going for 57 yards, with nine being inside the 20. He's also averaging 52.5 yards per kickoff attempt and has made 5-of-8 field goal attempts.