Norse Win Third in a Row - Sherden Sets School Record
Oct. 13, 2007
Luther posted its third win in a row in front of a Homecoming crowd, defeating Buena Vista University 25-22. Trailing 14-11 at halftime, the Norse scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter in what proved to be the difference in the game.
Running back Tyler Sherden was the story of the afternoon as he set a single game school record with 269 yards on 37 carries. Sherden broke the old mark of 263 set by All-American Brad Hustad in 1957 against Upper Iowa University. This afternoon, Sherden averaged 7.3 yards per carry and got the Norse on the scoreboard first, with a two-yard plunge with 5:27 left in the first quarter.
Buena Vista answered and retook the lead thanks to a four-yard touchdown pass from Chris Hawkins to Cody Pierce (11:37) and a five-yard run by Cory Donscheski (2:55), all in the second frame.
Tyler Pease, who missed a 25-yard field goal at the midpoint of the second quarter, drilled a 33-yarder with just 28 seconds left in the half. Pease's missed attempt snapped his string of eight consecutive field goals. He now has 10 for the season, one shy of his own single season school record set last year.
In the third quarter it was all Luther. The Norse took the lead for good when Adam Lamos capped off a 12-play 68-yard drive, on a four-yard run with 7:13 remaining on the clock.
Seven minutes later, Marcus Hendrickson scored what proved to be the game winner, picking off the Beavers Hawkins and returning the errant pass to the end zone with just three ticks left on the clock. The interceptions was the first of two for Hendrickson on the afternoon. He also picked off Hawkins, thwarting a late drive by the Beavers on Luther's own 20-yard line, with a little over two minutes remaining in the game.
Buena Vista made things interesting for the Homecoming crowd, scoring early in the fourth quarter (11:04) and pulling to within three points and the final tally of the afternoon.
Total offense for both teams was almost dead even. Buena Vista racked up 357 yards, while Luther tallied 356. The Beavers threw for 208 and rushed for 149. Luther rushed for 287 and threw for just 69.
Hawkins, who entered today's game needing 484 yards to break the Buena Vista all-time passing record (5,645), threw for 208 yards and once touchdown, but was picked off three times and sacked once.
Darrick Olson led the Norse defensive efforts setting a single game season high with 15 tackles. He was followed by Brandt Rost with nine and Jeremy Klein who was credited with 7 and the only sack of the afternoon. Mike Tangen, who leads the team in interceptions, picked off his third of the year.
The win increases Luther's Iowa Conference record to 3-2, 3-3 overall. Buena Vista falls to 1-4 in league play, 2-4 overall.
Next week, the Norse will host non-conference opponent Waldorf College here in Carlson Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
