2013 Southwestern Football
Southwestern Pirates (0-7)
vs. Austin College Kangaroos (3-5)
Saturday | November 2 | 1 p.m. | Birkelbach Field (Directions) | Georgetown, Texas (Weather)
VIDEO/AUDIO: KMAC Sports (link)
Merle Bertrand (play-by-play), Johnny "JB" Baeza (color)
LIVE STATS: http://livestats.prestosports.com/southwestern/
COMPLETE NOTES IN PDF FORMAT – Click Here
THE GAME
While the wins haven't come in time for the Pirate football team, the improvement that head coach Joe Austin talked about during the preseason can easily be seen. As the defense has been solid most of the season continually holding opponents to field goals, the offense also has shown glimpse that are cause for excitement.
Although Southwestern was not able to move the ball on the ground in the rain during the last meeting with the Kangaroos, the offensive line does have the confidence of helping pace the first 100-yard rusher of the season. Austin has the top rushing offense in the SCAC while the Pirates have mostly been a pass heavy team, which defense steps up could be the determining factor in a winner on Saturday.
THE SERIES
This will be the 29th meeting all-time between the Pirates and Austin College as the Kangaroos hold a slim 14-12-3 lead in the series 2-1.
THE COACHES
Joe Austin (Concordia-St. Paul '01)
Austin is in his fifth year as a head coach after spending the previous four seasons at Hanover College where he led the Panthers to back-to-back second place finishes in the HCAC. He was also the offensive coordinator at the University of Dubuque after spending time at Augsburg College and his alma mater, Concordia-St. Paul.
Loren Dawson (Arizona State '93)
Dawson returned to Austin College in 2010 where he previously served as the Kangaroos defensive coordinator. Prior to his return to Austin, Dawson spent two seasons at NCAA II Colorado School of Mines coaching special teams and linebackers. His first stint on the Kangaroos coaching staff began in 2002 where he served under David Norman and Ronnie Gage through 2007.
SHEA STANDS WITH THE LEADERS
Wide Receiver Colten Shea continues to rank among the nation and SCAC leaders in receiving yards per game. Shea stands in the top 35 in NCAA II and is second in the SCAC averaging 99.2 yards per game with two 100-yard plus games this season. With two weeks of rest including last week's bye week, look for Shea to continue his stellar season.
DISCIPLINED FOOTBALL
One of the most overlooked stats in building a new program is the ability to play disciplined football. Through the first eight weeks of the season, the Pirates are the least penalized team in the SCAC and ranks in the 70 of NCAA-III (separated by just two penalties per game) at 5.43 penalties per game. A three-way tie among the nation's leaders (Buena Vista, FDU-Florham, Misericordia) average 3.29 penalties per contest.
BY LAND OR BY AIR?
The Pirates and 'Roos enter as almost complete opposites. With the exception of Tate Taylor's 100-yard rushing game before last week's bye, the Pirates have found a majority of their success through the air averaging 217 yards per game. On the other side of the field, Austin leads the SCAC in rushing offense averaging 178 yards per game including a 300-yard performance on the ground in the first meeting between the two teams.
SLOW STARTS
The Pirates have gotten off to a slow start in each game this season only scoring 14 first quarter points; however Southwestern has been unable to "strike first" through the first seven games. Look for the Pirate offense to try and get on the board early and set the tone this week against a high-scoring Austin College offense.
A WIN FOR THE PIRATES…
A win for the Pirates would give Southwestern its first win of 2013 and improve in the all-time series 14-13-3 … Southwestern would win its first home game of the season and first since 1950 … it would make the Pirates 155-210-35 all-time
A LOSS FOR THE PIRATES…
A loss would be the Pirates seventh of the season and move their record to 0-8 … it would give Austin a 15-13-3 advantage in the all-time series … It would also make the Pirates 154-211-35 all-time
A LOOK AHEAD …
Southwestern finishes the 2013 season on the road with a rematch at Trinity and a trip to the east coast against NCAA-III newcomer Southern Virginia … The game at Trinity will be the SCAC official meeting to close the conference season for Southwestern
PIRATE WALK
The Pirate football team will make their weekly walk through the designated tailgating area two hours prior to kickoff for each home game. Head Coach Joe Austin and the team will continue from the west end of the tailgating area to the locker room area. Fans are encouraged to gather along this area to wish the Pirates 'Good Luck' in their upcoming game.
GAME DAY TICKETS
Tickets will be sold at the Georgetown ISD Stadium for $8 per person. Children 2 years old and younger do not need a ticket. Seating will begin 90 minutes prior to kick-off for each home game. ALL tickets will be open for Southwestern football games. The gate located at the west entrance under the press box will be the only pass gate for football parents with passes, credentialed media members and VIP passes.
TAILGATING INFO
Socialize with friends prior to each home game at the Georgetown ISD Stadium parking lot in the designated tailgating area. Tailgating will begin at noon for 7 p.m. kick-off and 8 a.m. for 1 p.m. kick-off at each home game. Official tailgating policies can be found here.
One tailgate spot is $10 (or two for $15) - cash only please - and can be reserved on a first come, first served basis. Each tailgater must have a game day ticket, which can be purchased upon arrival for tailgating.
Parking
If you do not plan to tailgate, parking is free in the general admission parking area. Click here for parking map and directions to Birkelbach Field.