The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) boasts not one but two schools remaining in the final eight of the NCAA Division III football playoffs. One of the schools, UW-La Crosse, faces a big challenge when they welcome the defending national champion North Central Cardinals to Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Complex on Saturday, December 2. Game time is set for noon.
UW-LA CROSSE’S COACH WEIGHS IN
Since taking over the helm at La Crosse, fourth-year head coach Matt Janus has revitalized the Eagles into a NCAA Division III powerhouse. After qualifying for the playoffs in 2021–their first appearance in the post-season since 2006–the Eagles shared the WIAC title last year and won it outright this year.
La Crosse breezed through the first two rounds of this year’s NCAA playoffs by manhandling Minnesota-Morris, 62-7, and outscoring Aurora (IL) last Saturday, 56-35.
Quite simply, Janus believes the key to success on Saturday is having his stud players play like it. “Our stars need to shine on offense,” said Janus, referring specifically to the quarterback and Gagliardi Trophy (NCAA Division 3’s version of the Heisman Trophy) semifinalist Keyser Helterbrand, receivers Ryan Bartol and Jack Studer (pictured below), offensive linemen Mike Bertoia and Noah Coleman, and running back Gabe Lynch. “They need to play their best game.”
Coach Janus knows the challenging task his team faces when North Central rolls into town. The Cardinals enter the game on a 27-game winning streak, and the average score in their 12 wins this year is a staggering 62.8 to 12.4.
When asked what specifically about North Central poses the biggest challenge in the playoff game, Janus replied, “Everything. This is hands down the best I have seen at our level. (We) need to find ways to stop their offense. (We) have to force a turnover…find a way to get a stop.”
Saturday’s matchup will be the second time the teams have met in the past three years; North Central beat La Crosse in a second-round NCAA playoffs matchup in 2021 by a score of 34-20, and that experience impressed Janus. “We saw them two years ago in the playoffs and felt they were really good. Fast forward two years later it’s unreal what they are doing.”
Specifically, Janus sees slowing down North Central’s offense as a key to victory, and he was effusive in his praise of all facets of it. “The offensive line is physical as all heck, backs are extremely talented, the wide receiving core led by #6 (DeAngleo Hardy, pictured below) is ridiculous, and the quarterback is a play-making machine.”
NCC’s quarterback, Luke Lehnen, is also a 2023 Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist. He has thrown two more incompletions (43) than touchdown passes (41) this year while running for 10 more scores on his own.
NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE IN FAMILIAR NCAA PLAYOFFS TERRITORY
The Cardinals travel to La Crosse with an impressive three-year resume. North Central’s last loss came in the 2021 Stagg Bowl, a 57-24 drubbing at the hands of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Their current 27-game winning streak includes a victory in the 2022 national championship against Mount Union, 28-21.
Head coach Brad Spencer is in his second year at the helm in Naperville, and incredibly he has won all 27 games that he has been the lead man on the Cardinals’ sideline.
2023 marks NCC’s seventh straight NCAA playoff appearance and 15th overall. The Cardinals breezed through the first two rounds; they beat Belhaven (MS), 65-0 in round 1, and dispatched Trinity (TX), 71-28 in the second round. However, Coach Spencer knows the Eagles will be more than up to the task on Saturday.
“It will boil down to the basics: blocking, tackling, and winning the battle of the line of scrimmage,” said Spencer. “Their quarterback (Helterbrand) is dynamite, kind of like a QB dressed as a running back who can throw really well, too.”
Spencer believes his defensive line will be a major factor on Saturday, saying, “Our D-line will play a key role in whether or not we can get to their quarterback.”
Not to be outshined by their offense, Spencer feels that the Eagles’ defense is more than capable of causing problems for his dynamic offense. “Their defense is solid. Their defensive end #1 (Jack Kelly) is outstanding, and their middle linebacker #9 (Tanner Newlin) is really good as well.”
On the other side of the field, NCC’s offense, according to Spencer, needs to continue its stellar play and continue to run and throw with balance. The Cardinals rank 2nd in the NCAA with 337.9 rushing yards per game, and Luke Lehnen (pictured below) leads all NCAA Division 3 quarterbacks with a passing efficiency rating of a ridiculous 281.74. “We need to feed the ball to the playmakers on offense and get Luke (Lehnen) going both running and passing.”
The third phase of the game, special teams, could play a crucial role in this battle. Joey Lombardi is tied for first in the country with three kickoff returns for a touchdown. “Special teams need to be huge, too.”
THIS HYPE FOR THIS GAME IS REAL
Most experts feel this game is more suited for a Stagg Bowl matchup rather than a quarterfinal battle, but both coaches feel comfortable about where their respective teams are at. This Saturday’s game, #1 vs. #4 according to d3football.com, is where the immovable object will meet the unstoppable force, and it very well could decide who ends up hoisting the NCAA championship trophy on December 15 at Stagg Bowl 50.
