The Lawrence University football team goes on the road this weekend when it travels to Beloit College for a Midwest Conference game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Strong Stadium.
Category: Football
Vikings can’t slow Lake Forest offense
The Lake Forest College football team rolled up more than 600 yards of offense and posted a 56-38 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University on Saturday in the Banta Bowl.
Lake Forest quarterback Pete Scaffidi completed 17 of 29 passes for 367 yards and five touchdowns. Scaffidi also ran for another score. Running back Al Mitchell ran 27 times for 127 yards to pace the Foresters (2-5, 2-5 MWC) ground game, which accounted for 239 yards. The Foresters finished with 610 yards of offense.
Wide receiver Tyler Mazur caught seven passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns for Lawrence (1-7, 1-6). Mazur also ran five times for 31 yards and two touchdowns.
Lawrence quarterback Luke Barthelmess was 19 of 26 for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Barthelmess now has 2,293 yards passing on the season and broke the Lawrence season record of 2,124 yards set by All-American Bill McNamara back in 1986.
Lawrence simply couldn’t slow down the Lake Forest attack, which scored touchdowns on eight of its first 10 possessions. The Foresters scored touchdowns on four of their six first-half possessions and led 28-17 at the half.
Lawrence hung close in the first half as Mazur ran five yards for the Vikings’ first touchdown, and Barthlemess hit Dominque Dirden on an 18-yard touchdown to trim the lead to 21-14. Lawrence completed the scoring in the first half when Cody Robel boomed a career-long 40-yard field goal as time expired to cut the lead to 28-17.
The Foresters used a fake punt to keep a drive alive to start the third quarter and then finished the drive on Scaffidi’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Rocky Al-Mutawa for a 35-17 lead.
Lawrence countered immediately when Shawn Martin returned the ensuing kickoff 37 yards to the Lake Forest 39. Mazur ran it in from seven yards out six plays later to cut the lead to 35-24.
Lawrence attempted an on-sides kick, and the Martin recovered for the Vikings after a scramble at their own 35. The officials ruled the Vikings touched the ball before it went 10 yards and Lake Forest took over. The Foresters scored five plays later to go up 42-24.
After an interception thrown by backup quarterback Sam Kossow, Lake Forest scored four plays later to lead 49-24. The Foresters added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to go up 56-24. Barthelmess came back into the game and threw two more touchdown passes, both to Mazur, against Lake Forest’s first-string defense to trim the lead to 56-38.
Lawrence goes on the road and faces Beloit College next Saturday.
Lawrence vs. Lake Forest preview
The Lawrence University football team plays its final home game of the season on Saturday when it hosts Lake Forest College in the Banta Bowl. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Grinnell holds off Vikings
A pair of trick plays and a failed two-point conversion lifted the Grinnell College football team to a 17-15 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University on Saturday in the homecoming game at the Banta Bowl.
Grinnell (5-2, 4-2 MWC) got a touchdown on a fake field goal and another on an option by a wide receiver for its two touchdowns. The Pioneers then stopped a two-point conversion attempt by Lawrence (1-6, 1-5) with 1:37 left to preserve the victory.
Neither team had a stellar day offensively as Grinnell’s two quarterbacks combined to complete 15 of 37 passes for 132 yards. The Pioneers managed only 192 total yards.
Lawrence struggled as well on a very windy day in the Banta Bowl. Quarterback Luke Barthelmess was 18 of 41 for 185 yards and a touchdown. Barthelmess also ran 20 times for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Grinnell led 3-0 and took the opening possession of the third quarter to the Lawrence 12-yard line. Lawrence stopped the Pioneers right there and Grinnell lined up for a 29-yard field goal attempt. The Pioneers faked it and holder Kelsey Davis completed a pass to Robert Seer for a touchdown and a 10-0 Grinnell lead.
The Vikings sliced into the lead late in the third quarter. Lawrence took over at its 43 and moved into the red zone when Barthelmess found Tyler Mazur for a 21-yard completion to the Grinnell 18. Mazur finished with five catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Barthelmess then ran 10 yards for another first down and scrambled for a five-yard touchdown run two plays later to cut the lead to 6-0. Dyllan Eichhorst, filling in for injured kicker Cody Robel, missed the extra point and Grinnell led 10-6.
Lawrence got a great scoring chance early in the fourth quarter when Andy Paider blocked the punt of Logan Granera and recovered the ball at the Grinnell 20. The Vikings couldn’t move the ball and Eichhorst connected on a 29-yard field goal, the first of his career, to cut the lead to 10-9.
The Grinnell defense then came up with a big play. With Lawrence facing third-and-1 at its own 46, the Pioneers stopped the Vikings twice and took over on downs at the Lawrence 40. The Pioneers moved to the Lawrence eight-yard line and then pulled out another trick play. Operating out of the wildcat formation, receiver Jason Peters took the snap and handed to receiver Trent Baker running right. Baker pulled near the sideline and tossed a seven-yard touchdown pass to Seer to give Grinnell a 17-9 lead with 1:57 left.
The Vikings came right back and scored two plays later when Barthelmess found Mazur streaking past the Grinnell secondary for a 58-yard touchdown. Trailing 17-15, the Vikings when for two, but Barthelmess was under heavy pressure and his pass attempt was intercepted.
Lawrence’s onsides kick attempt failed to go 10 yards and Grinnell took over and ran out the clock.
Lawrence returns to the Banta Bowl for its final home game next Saturday against Lake Forest College.
Lawrence vs. Grinnell preview
The Lawrence University football team hosts Grinnell College on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Banta Bowl. The Hall of Fame Game is part of the Fall Festival activities on campus. At halftime, Lawrence will honor seven former athletes being inducted into the Lawrence Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame and the 1986 football team.
Big second quarter leads Carroll past Vikings
WAUKESHA, Wis. — The Carroll University football team scored 34 points in the second quarter and rolled to a 67-17 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University on Saturday at Schneider Stadium.
The score was tied 10-10 heading into the second quarter, but the Pioneers scored five consecutive touchdowns to take a 44-10 lead and command of the game.
Joe Beckstrand ran 16 times for 165 yards to pace Carroll (5-1, 4-1 MWC). Ryan Young completed 15 of 24 passes for 174 yards and four touchdowns for the Pioneers.
Lawrence quarterback Luke Barthelmess was 17 of 36 for 219 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Jon Bruehl caught five passes for 98 yards and a touchdown to pace the Lawrence receivers.
The Vikings also gave up eight sacks on the afternoon. That put a huge dent in Lawrence’s rushing yardage, and the Vikings finished the game with just one rushing yard.
The Vikings took the lead early when Tyler Mazur caught a 39-yard pass from Barthelmess midway through the first quarter to put Lawrence up 7-3.
Carroll countered with a touchdown, but the Vikings got a 36-yard field goal from Cody Robel to tie the game at 10-10 late in the opening quarter.
That’s when the floodgates opened for Carroll. The Pioneers scored five touchdowns, including one defensive score, in the next 10 minutes.
Jon Bruehl caught a six-yard touchdown pass late in the first half to finally stop the scoring drought for Lawrence and make the halftime score 44-17.
Lawrence at Carroll preview
The Lawrence University football team travels to Carroll University on Saturday for a Midwest Conference game. The kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Schneider Stadium.
Big second half rallies Illinois College past Vikings
The Illinois College football team scored 36 second-half points and rallied for a 54-44 Midwest Conference victory over Lawrence University on Saturday at the Banta Bowl.
The Blueboys (4-1, 3-1 MWC) scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the second half and then turned a pair of interceptions into touchdowns to pull away from Lawrence (1-4, 1-3).
Michael Bates completed 27 of 42 passes for 309 yards, five touchdowns and one interception to pace Illinois College. Cecil Brimmage ran 18 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns for the Blueboys.
Lawrence quarterback Luke Barthelmess was 29 of 52 for 443 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Barthelmess also ran 21 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Mazur caught eight passes for 126 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings, and Sam Wagner had eight catches for 94 yards and carried six times for 33 yards. Freshman receiver Dominique Dirden caught four passes for 45 yards and a career-best three touchdowns.
Lawrence jumped out to a 7-0 lead just three plays into the game. Jon Bruehl caught a 67-yard pass to set up Dirden’s eight-yard touchdown catch. The Vikings made it 13-0 when Mazur grabbed a 42-yard touchdown pass with 9:31 left in the opening quarter.
Taylor Mandich grabbed a 21-yard scoring pass for a 20-6 lead, and the Vikings made it 27-12 when Dirden caught an 18-yard touchdown pass with 2:15 left in the first half. Lawrence led 27-18 at the half.
Illinois College took the opening kickoff of the second half and went 65 yards in 10 plays to cut the lead to 27-26. Lawrence countered with a 30-yard Cody Robel field goal to increase its lead to 30-26, but the Blueboys moved 63 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown to take a 33-30 lead.
The Vikings came right back and moved 62 yards in seven plays, with Dirden catching a six-yard touchdown pass, to give Lawrence a 37-33 lead with 3:03 left in the third quarter.
Illinois College took the lead for good on Bates’ 17-yard pass to Colin Duling early in the fourth quarter for a 40-37 edge. Barthelmess was intercepted on the next drive, and Brimmage took the next play 66 yards for a touchdown and the Blueboys led 47-37.
Barthelmess was intercepted on his next pass, and the Blueboys moved 30 yards in six plays for a touchdown and a 54-37 lead. Lawrence added a touchdown on Barthelmess’ one-yard run with 4:10 left to cut the lead to 54-44 but that’s as close as the Vikings would get.
Lawrence returns to action next Saturday when it travels to Carroll University.
Inside LU Athletics: Seven to join Lawrence Hall of Fame
The Lawrence University Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame will grow by seven during the induction ceremony set for Oct. 14 at the Warch Campus Center.
The inductees are Ross Mueller ’01, Mindy Rueden ’00, Toby Kinsler ’98, Steve Skelcy ’96, Susan Beckwith ’87, Lance Alwin ’71 and Al “Obbie” Novakofski ’39.
Reservations for the Hall of Fame banquet can be made by calling the Alumni Relations office at 920-832-6549.
Ross Mueller 2001
Ross Mueller broke new ground for Lawrence wrestling and stands as one of the pillars of the greatest teams in school history.
A native of Richfield, Wis., Mueller was the first two-time All-American in Lawrence wrestling history. Wrestling at 174 pounds, Mueller became only the second wrestler in school history to eclipse the 100-win plateau. Mueller finished with a record of 105-23 and ranked second in school history in victories when he graduated.
Mueller ranks fifth in Lawrence history with an .820 winning percentage and is third with 27 pins.
Wrestling during Lawrence’s time as an independent, Mueller qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships in both 2000 and 2001. In 2000, Mueller placed third and earned All-America honors for the first time. Mueller defeated Rob Murray of Loras College 9-1 in the third-place match. Mueller came back in 2001 to become an All-American again. He rallied to beat Justin Dix of Cornell College 9-3 in the third-place match. With Mueller and Andy Kazik ’02 both placing third, Lawrence posted its best finish, 10th place, at any NCAA Championship.
As a senior in 2000-01, Mueller posted the best record of his career at 37-4, and that ranks as the fourth-highest season win total in school history.
A biology major, Mueller was named a Scholar All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Mueller continued to work with the Lawrence wrestling program and served as an assistant coach from 2001-09.
Mueller works as a spinal implant consultant with Synthes Spine. He and his wife, Lindsay, live in Neenah and have a daughter, Ella.
Mindy Rueden 2000
Mindy Rueden starred on both the hardwood and diamond for the Vikings, and led her teams to championships in both sports.
An Appleton native, Rueden earned All-Midwest Conference honors in both sports. Rueden was a three-time all-conference selection in softball and was the 2000 MWC North Division Player of the Year.
The team’s centerfielder and lead-off hitter, Rueden hit .309 with 94 runs scored, 17 doubles, one triple, two homers, 44 runs batted in and 57 stolen bases. She ranked second in Lawrence history in runs, hits, total bases and stolen bases when she graduated.
A team captain, Rueden led the Vikings to MWC championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999. The Vikings played in the NCAA Division III Tournament in both 1998 and 1999 and Lawrence put together a record of 101-37 during Rueden’s four seasons.
Rueden also was a team captain for the basketball squad and was a first-team all-conference selection as senior in 1999-2000. A versatile performer and all-around player, Rueden was a four-year starter for the Vikings and averaged 6.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists for her career.
Rueden helped the Vikings to a 17-8 record in 1998-99, when Lawrence won the Midwest Conference championship and made its lone appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Rueden earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies at Lawrence and a Master’s degree in counseling at Lakeland College. She works as the executive director of the Brother David Darst Center in Chicago, Ill.
Toby Kinsler 1999
In the short history of Lawrence hockey, Toby Kinsler emerged as the program’s first great player.
A talented forward from Monona, Wis., Kinsler piled up an amazing 91 goals, 62 assists and 153 points during his career. Playing in the first decade of hockey as a varsity sport at Lawrence. Kinsler was the Vikings’ first prolific scorer and led the team in scoring all four seasons.
Kinsler earned All-Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey Association first-team honors both years he played in the league. The first two season of Kinsler’s career Lawrence played as an independent.
Kinsler enjoyed his finest season as a senior when he scored 33 goals and added 23 assists for 56 points in just 21 games. He led Lawrence to a 12-8-1 record for that 1997-98 season, and the 12 wins was the second-highest season total in school history.
Kinsler was named the 1997-98 Most Valuable Player of the GLCHA, which soon thereafter became the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association. Kinsler remains the only player in Lawrence history to be named the league’s MVP.
A four-year team captain, Kinsler also earned first-team All-GLCHA honors for the 1996-97 season. Kinsler was easily the team’s leading scorer again that season with 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points.
Kinsler started his career with a bang, scoring 21 goals and picking up nine assists for 30 points in just 19 games as a freshman in 1994-95. He led Lawrence to a 9-9-1 record that season. Kinsler followed that with 19 goals and 12 assists for 31 points in just 22 games as a sophomore in 1995-96.
Kinsler earned a bachelor’s degrees in English and secondary education at Lawrence and went on to receive a Master’s degree in comparative literature from Middlebury College. He also earned a Murray Fellowship to the University of Oxford.
Kinsler owns the Huntington Learning Center in Monona, Wis., serves as a corporate consultant and is in his first year of law school at Marquette University.
Kinsler and his wife, Jennell, live in Madison. The Kinslers have three children, Jackson, Easton and Hudson.
Steve Skelcy 1996
Steve Skelcy was a dominant swimmer during his time at Lawrence and helped propel the Vikings to the top of the Midwest Conference.
Skelcy won nine Midwest Conference championships, including four straight in the 1,650-yard freestyle, and led the Vikings to the 1996 team title.
During Skelcy’s four seasons, the Vikings became a contender for the conference title, and it was Skelcy who helped deliver the team’s first league crown since 1968.
The native of Saginaw, Mich., won three individual titles at the 1996 MWC Championships and was named Swimmer of the Year as Lawrence took the team title. Skelcy took titles in the 200 freestyle, 1,650 freestyle and 500 freestyle, setting a pool record in the latter. Skelcy also swam on the winning 800 freestyle relay team.
Skelcy, who set school records in the 500 freestyle, 1,000 freestyle and 1,650 freestyle during his career, won a pair of league titles at the 1995 MWC Championships. Skelcy swam to victory in both the 500 freestyle and 1,650 freestyle to help Lawrence to a third-place finish.
Skelcy also won a pair of titles at the MWC Championships as a freshman in 1993. He swam to victory in both the 500 freestyle and 1,650 freestyle as Lawrence took third place. Skelcy also won the 1,650 freestyle at the 1994 MWC Championships.
Skelcy also was a key figure for the Vikings at the Wisconsin Private College Championships. He helped Lawrence to team titles in both 1994 and 1996 and was a five-time champion at the Private College meet.
Skelcy earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Lawrence and is a science teacher at Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, Mich., where he also resides. Skelcy, who has a Master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University, also coaches the boys’ and girls’ swimming teams at Arthur Hill.
Susan Beckwith 1987
Susan Beckwith was at the forefront of the dawn of Lawrence fastpitch softball and became the program’s first great player.
The native of Bethesda, Md., Beckwith was a three-time All-Midwest Conference selection and set numerous school records. Beckwith started with a fledgling program in just its second year of existence and carved out a career record of 31-29.
Beckwith ended her career as the school’s leader in victories (31), earned run average (3.36), strikeouts (233), complete games (51), shutouts (5), one-hitters (5) and innings pitched (365.0).
A team captain and the team’s Most Valuable Player all four years of her career, Beckwith also was chosen for the All-Wisconsin Independent College-Women’s Athletic Conference team in 1987. Beckwith led the Vikings to the WIC-WAC Tournament title that season.
Beckwith enjoyed a great season in 1987 when she finished with a 15-5 record and a 2.90 earned run average on her way to earning All-MWC honors. She set school season records for wins (15), strikeouts (76) and shutouts (3) that season. She also set the school record with 13 strikeouts in a game against Marian College. Beckwith also tossed a pair of one-hitters that season.
Led by Beckwith’s stellar pitching, Lawrence posted the first winning record in school history with a 15-5 mark.
Beckwith was chosen for the All-MWC squad in 1985 and compiled an overall record of 7-10 with a 4.68 earned run average. Beckwith also earned All-MWC accolades in 1986 after posting a 7-6 record with a 3.26 earned run average.
Beckwith majored in biology at Lawrence and went on to earn her doctorate in biology from Purdue University. She is currently a science consultant and lives in North Potomac, Md. Beckwith and her husband, Peter Darpa, have four children, Monica, Chris, Carl and Alyssa.
Lance Alwin 1971
Lance Alwin proved to be a stellar performer on both sides of the ball for the Lawrence football team and star track and field athlete during his time with the Vikings.
Because freshmen were not eligible during this time, the Fort Atkinson, Wis., native joined the varsity for the 1968 season at linebacker. All he did was lead the team in tackles and earn first-team All-Midwest Conference honors.
Asked by coach Ron Roberts to switch to offense, Alwin moved to running back for the 1969 season. Alwin ran for 957 yards and averaged 106.3 yards per game and 5.9 yards per carry. Alwin earned first-team all-conference honors for the second straight year.
Alwin enjoyed an even better season as a senior in 1970 when he ran for 1,204 yards. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and 133.8 yards per game and again earned first-team all-conference honors.
A team captain, Alwin finished with 2,161 yards for his career and averaged a stellar 120 yards per game and 5.0 yards per carry. Alwin finished as Lawrence’s season and career rushing leader and also held the records for season rushing attempts, yards per carry and yards per game.
Alwin threw the shot and discus for the track team and piled up numerous victories in both events in meets during the 1969 and 1970 seasons. A team captain, Alwin won the shot put (47 feet, 5 inches) and discus (138-8¾) at the 1969 Midwest Conference Championships and won the shot put (47-9½) in 1970 and took second in discus.
Alwin missed the 1971 track season when he signed a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers. Alwin attended a rookie camp in late spring and then worked alongside Packers legends like Bart Starr and Ray Nitschke during training camp before being released.
A psychology major at Lawrence, Alwin has a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a Specialist degree from the University of Wisconsin. He also has a PhD in educational leadership and policy analysis from UW.
Alwin is retired after a life dedicated to service to children in a variety of different capacities, most recently as a school district administrator. Alwin married Nancy Harter-Alwin when he was a senior at Lawrence. The Alwins live in Baraboos, Wis., have three children, Zak, Sunshine and Skye, and 11 grandchildren (with another on the way).
Al “Obbie” Novakofski 1939
Al “Obbie” Novakofski was a star on both sides of the ball and ushered in the Bernie Heselton era by leading Lawrence to a Midwest Conference championship.
A native of nearby Menasha, Novakofski was a star running back and defensive back for the Vikings. The Midwest Conference began selecting all-conference teams in 1937, and Novakofski was a first-team selection on each of the first two squads chosen by the league. He was the first multiple all-conference honoree for Lawrence.
Playing the key position of left halfback in the single wing, Novakofski was a threat both running and throwing the football. A team captain for the 1938 squad in Heselton’s inaugural season, Novakofski led the Vikings to the conference championship.
Novakofski scored the winning touchdown on a 49-yard run in a 14-13 victory at Ripon College in 1938. He also had a 72-yard touchdown run that propelled Lawrence to a 19-8 victory over Monmouth College that season. Novakofski opened that season with three touchdowns in a 39-0 victory over Northwestern College.
Novakofski also played three seasons of basketball for the Vikings.
After his time at Lawrence, Novakofski played professional football. He played for the Kenosha Coopers and the Milwaukee Chiefs of the American Professional Football League. Novakofski was an all-league selection and led the league in scoring. Novakofski also spent time on the roster of the Green Bay Packers.
Novakofski, who earned a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, was an educator until his retirement in 1971. He taught history at Woodruff High School and physical education at Lakeland Union High School and also coached football, wrestling and track and field.
Novakofski and his wife, Dorothea, had three children, Lynn, Todd and Jan. Novakofski died in April 1986.
Great at Griak
The Lawrence men’s cross country team put in a great showing the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational at the University of Minnesota last Saturday.
Lawrence was the top finisher among the Midwest Conference schools taking part and Sam Stevens ran to 17th place. Stevens was the top finisher among the conference runners as well. Lawrence’s finish put it 61 points ahead of Grinnell, which has won the last 14 league championships.
It is believed this is the first time Grinnell has lost to a league opponent since 1996.
Editor’s Note: Inside LU Athletics is a weekly notes package written by Lawrence University Sports Information Director Joe Vanden Acker. It will feature teams and individual players, recap weekly awards or highlights and take a look at what’s ahead for the Vikings.
Lawrence vs. Illinois College preview
The Lawrence University football team returns to the Banta Bowl on Saturday when it hosts Illinois College in a Midwest Conference game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.