Concordia football will be preparing this week to travel to #8 Saint Francis (IN) for a crucial MSFA Mideast division matchup. The Cardinals improved to a school-record #4 ranking after a 10-7 comeback win over then-#19 rival Siena Heights, pushing their record to 5-0. Saint Francis fell to #8 after a 28-10 loss to their rival Marian in the "Franciscan Bowl", dropping their record to 3-1 overall.
This is the first time that Concordia has entered the contest ranked higher than Saint Francis. While the Cougars lead the all-time series 7-1, the Cardinals earned the first win over Saint Francis in program history last season with a 7-3 win.
Game Details
Statistical Breakdown
Personnel Matchups
Saint Francis at a glance
The Cougars enter the contest with a 3-1 overall record and the #8 rank in the NAIA Coaches Poll. Saint Francis cruised to a 3-0 start to begin the year, dominating Saint Francis (IL) 56-6 and adding wins over Robert Morris and Saint Ambrose. The Cougars fell 28-10 last week to then-#6 Marian, suffering their first loss of the year. Long-time head coach Kevin Donley is in his 22nd season at the helm of the program.
NAIA Coaches Poll
Concordia set a new record for the highest rank in program history, checking in at #4 in the latest edition of the NAIA Coaches Poll. While Marian replaced Saint Francis (IN) at #3 after winning the head-to-head matchup, a loss by then-#2 Benedictine pushed the Cardinals up a spot. Saint Francis fell to #8 and Siena Heights dropped to #21. MSFA Midwest leader Saint Xavier moved up two spots to #13.
Player of the Week Honors
Clay Coltson (SR/Hastings, MI) was named NCCAA Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Cardinals' 10-7 win over #19 Siena Heights this past week. The senior wide receiver hauled in the game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-15 with just 9 seconds remaining. Coltson finished with 94 receiving yards on 4 receptions in the game.
Coltson was a featured guest on Cardinals Corner radio show on Wednesday night. The show was aired on WTKA.com / 1050AM The Ticket with Ira Weintraub hosting the hour long segment. Coltson recapped the Cardinals comeback win over the Saints and previewed the matchup agains the Cougars this Saturday. Listen to Coltson's segment by clicking this link.
MSFA Mideast Standings
(courtesy of mid-statesfootball.org)
Other MSFA Games
Taylor @ #21 Siena Heights – 1:00pm
Lawrence Tech @ Indiana Wesleyan – 1:00pm
Missouri Baptist @ Trinity International – 2:00pm
Saint Ambrose @ Olivet Nazarene – 7:00pm
#13 Saint Xavier @ Robert Morris – 8:00pm
