Top 10 teams square off at Valley

A strong performance by junior Sterling Hardin could give the Vikings the ball control they seek to limit MidAmerica's explosive offense. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Consider the hype coming to Marshall this weekend ESPN Lite.

If Saturday's Heart of America Conference clash between the ninth-ranked Missouri Valley College and No. 10 MidAmerica Nazarene football teams isn't enough, some additional national attention is being thrown in.

College Fanz Sports Network, a web site (www.CollegeFanz.com) which focuses on NAIA football, has chosen Volney C. Ashford Stadium as the venue for live video streaming of the game on the internet -- and is bringing in its chief honcho, ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen.

Which, of course, is secondary to the berth in the NAIA Championship Series which may be at stake for both clubs.

"Everybody else can make a big deal about it, but we're treating it as just another game," remarked MVC head coach Paul Troth. "We're just trying to stay focused on doing the things we need to do so win."

That will be a difficult enough task against the defending league champions. Other than sharing a loss to No. 3 Lindenwood with Valley, the Pioneers (8-1, 8-1 HAAC) have rolled over every other opponent by no less than 12 points.

"They've gotten better as the season's gone on," Troth noted. "They present a very good challenge to us."

Even with former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Jonathan Quinn taking over the helm this season, MidAmerica's offense has changed little in both style and impact. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Herl is fifth in the NAIA in efficiency (182.7), completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,162 yards and 30 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions in 222 attempts.

"You can see him getting more and more comfortable in their offense week to week," Troth said. "He's throwing to some real good receivers."

One of them is senior Jared Elmore, with 43 catches for 905 yards and 12 TDs. He arrived by way of Southern Nazarene (Okla.), where former Pioneers coach Mike Cochran now reigns, and isn't the only one. Junior linebacker Brady Croucher, who shares the team lead of seven sacks with sophomore lineman Brandon Smith, is also an SNU transfer.

MidAmerica has upgraded its defense, switching to the 3-4 scheme similar to the Vikings' (7-1, 7-1). Troth said that the Pioneers "have gotten more aggressive," and the play of junior linebacker Jake Duren -- with 15 tackles for losses -- has had an impact.

"He does it all. He's very physical and very fast," Troth said. "He makes a lot of plays."

With an offense as explosive as MidAmerica's, second in the league in scoring (46.7 points per game) and total yardage (479.9), limiting its opportunities is critical.

"We're going to have to keep their offense off the field," Troth said. "We have to move the chains, sustain drives and score."

While it's possible a two-loss team could make it into the playoffs as a third HAAC representative, nobody wants to be at the complete mercy of pollsters.

"There's nothing we can do about that," Troth declared. "We just have to go out and play."