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| Quarterback Sam Poulos scores a fourth quarter TD |
After the first four games of the season, the Pioneers will jump into the southern division portion of their schedule. We will take the short trip east to Mt. Vernon to take on the Cornell Rams. In last years meeting we fought back to cut the lead to 14-10 at the end of the third quarter, and 21-17 midway through the fourth, before falling short. Cornell has proven to be a physical and talented opponent since re-joining the MWC in 2012, and we look forward to the challenge this fall.
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| 1st team all-conference punter Graham Fisher got the scoring started vs Illinois College |
We follow up the trip to Mt. Vernon with a trip south to Jacksonville, IL to face Illinois College. The Blueboys are the defending southern division champions, but they'll have a new look heading into the 2015 season without long-time starting quarterback Michael Bates. IC has always been able to score points, and it's our challenge to score with them. It should be an entertaining game.
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| Renteria seals the victory with this fumble recovery |
The Pioneers return to Rosenbloom to take on the Knox Prairie Fire for the third of five divisional games. After a slow first half in last year's contest, the Pioneers completed a furious rally to win 21-18. Trailing 10-0 heading into the fourth quarter, we scored 21 straight to take control of the game. We gave up a late score, but sealed the victory when Scott Beecher forced a fumble that Rich Renteria returned to the Prairie Fire one yard line. We kneeled out the clock and earned a nice road win. Hopefully the 2015 contest is less dramatic!
After the home contest against Knox, the Pioneers will hit the road once again, traveling to Monmouth to take on the Scots. A traditional MWC power, it will be interesting to see how the departure of long-time head coach Steve Bell will affect the Scots. Before Bell's arrival, Monmouth was near the bottom of the league on a yearly basis, but since have strung together a sustained run of success matched only by St. Norbert. Two of our biggest recent wins have come over Monmouth though, and hopefully 2015 is another!
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| We finished with a big win on Senior Day in 2014, looking to do the same against Lake Forest in 2015 |
The Pioneers will celebrate Senior Day with their final home contest against Lake Forest. After two straight frustrating trips to the north shore suburb of Chicago, we are looking to turn the tables on the Foresters in 2015. The weather played quite a role in the 2014 contest, as we took an early 7-6 lead playing with the wind. After switching directions for the 2nd and 3rd quarters Lake Forest took advantage and built a 28-7 lead. We were able to cut into the lead with one fourth quarter score, but it was too little, too late. We should be fired up and ready to go in 2015, celebrating our seniors on Rosenbloom for the last time and playing for a higher seed for the crossover weekend. It should be an exciting day!
