WAUWATOSA, Wis. (Sep. 12, 2024) - The Buena Vista University football team (0-1, 0-0 A-R-C) is set to play its first away game on Saturday, Sep. 14, as it plays Wisconsin Lutheran (0-1, 0-0 NACC) inside of Raabe Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

GAME COVERAGE

Radio: 97.5FM KBVU (local)

Live Audio: https://listen.streamon.fm/kbvu

Live Video: https://www.youtube.com/@wlcsports/featured

Live Stats: https://wlcsports.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

INSIDE THE SERIES: The two programs have never met before. This will be their first matchup on the gridiron. Both teams will be looking for their first win of the 2024 campaign.

2024 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing yds per game
BVU: Eman Alaniz (49.0)
WLC: Liam Heiges (12.0)

Passing yds per game
BVU: Zach Herrera (85.0)
WLC: Bryce Barbian (199.0)

Receiving yds per game
BVU: Eman Alaniz (30.0)
WLC: Emmitt Hawkins (20.40)

Total Tackles
BVU: Austin Smith (7.0)
WLC: Layson Handwork (12.0)

KO Return Avg.
BVU: Blaine Peebles (30.0)
WLC: Nate Hidalgo (5.75)

SCOUTING THE WARRIORS

SCHEDULE | ROSTER | STATS

The Warriors began the year with a loss to the Lake Forest Foresters on the road. They are looking for their first win in their 2024 home opener against the Beavers. Last year, they finished 4-6 with a 4-4 record in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. 

The Warriors do most of their damage offensively through the air. A year ago, the team completed at least 20 passes in six of the 10 games and passed for over 200 yards in five games. On the ground, the Warriors gained only 100 yards rushing three times and had four game where it was held under 30 yards. In last week's season opener at Lake Forest, the offense was out-gained 165-51 on the ground with one touchdown, while passing for 199 yards despite being intercepted three times.

Junior quarterback Bryce Barbain returns to lead the way on the offensive side after being named an Honorable Mention selection as a sophomore. He has passed for over 2,000 yards in 10 career games under center to go along with 20 touchdowns. He has a pair of all-conference receivers to throw the ball up to. Sophomore Emmett Hawkins was a First Team selection in his first season after hauling in 38 catches for 658 yards and five touchdowns. Junior Jamil Gordon was an Honorable Mention honoree a year ago. The duo each hauled in five receptions against the Foresters a week ago and combined for 163 yards. The team was led in the backfield a week ago by freshman Liam Heiges, who carried the ball 12 times for just 21 net yards.

Defensively, the Warriors allowed nearly 23.0ppg and 312.0ypg a season ago. Junior linebacker Layson Handwork registered a team-leading 12.0 total tackles to begin the season, including 2.5 tackles for a loss. Graduate student defensive lineman Kyle Kubacki also had a pair of stops behind the line of scrimmage in week one and is a three-time Second Team All-NACC selection.
 

ABOUT THE BEAVERS

SCHEDULE | ROSTER | STATS

BVU is looking to bounce back following its 34-7 home loss to begin the season a week ago. It was a 13-7 contest at halftime, but following the opening drive score that used up 8:30 minutes, the Beavers managed only one first down in the second half.

Senior Eman Alaniz, who ranked high in DIII last season in all-purpose yards, turned in 84 total yards, including the lone rushing touchdown, to lead the way. Senior quarterback Zach Herrera completed 15-of-28 attempts through the air for 85 yards, including receptions to six different receivers. Alaniz led that group with 30 yards on five catches. Freshman Cashtin Craycraft also hauled in five for 27 yards.

Defensively, the Beavers were on the field nearly 13 minutes longer than Benedictine. The unit will look to get off the field on third down this week against the Warriors after seeing the Eagles score multiple touchdowns on third-and-long situations. The veteran secondary will help lead the way covering the pass downfield. Junior Matthew Beisswenger had three pass breakups a week ago, while tying for the team-lead with six total tackles. Linebacker Bobby Gross also had six stops along with senior defensive back, Austin Smith. The front line will look to add some pressure in the WLC backfield with senior defensive end Alonzo Davis and junior lineman Keaton Bindel each recording a tackle for a loss to begin the year. 

Beisswenger will look to flip the field position when called upon as he's done throughout his career. Last week against the Eagles, he punted six times for an average of nearly 35 yards per attempt with half of those kicks being fair caught. He has a career long boot of 70 yards.

The game will be the final non-conference tune-up for the Beavers before they travel to Loras College next weekend to begin their American Rivers Conference schedule.