Revenge At The Rivers- The Carroll Side

That’s what they’re calling this particular match-up…

Every game has to have a hook. Especially when you’re talking about two teams from Helena, Montana and Sioux Falls, South Dakota that get to play for a national title. It’s Number One and Number Two- Carroll College ((LB-slash NAIA stud Owen Koeppen pictured, thanks Carroll College SID)) and the University of Sioux Falls

It’s amazing what a playoff system will do for you…
Are you listening in Indianapolis…?
Didn't think so...

Thursday was the day for the standard press conference. The two teams trot out their coaches and key players, and it’s the job of us media types to draw out good quotes with good questions.

On the Carroll side, you’re talking about the reigning National Champions. For those of you that may know the name in some deep, dark recess of your brain- it’s where the last name “Petrino” actually means something without having anyone cringe or scowl.

Mike Van Diest is the head man now and he hasn’t changed the steamroller that is the Carroll College Saints. How does this squad continue being one of the top teams in the NAIA…? From what I’m told by football powers far smarter me, there are only two Division I-AA schools in the state ((Montana and Montana State)). If you can’t or don’t go there, you have five NAIA schools to choose from. Most choose Carroll…

The Saints arrived at about 2:00 AM. They were a day behind their anticipated showing in Rome. Their charter flight was supposed to come from the Midwest. If you’ve watched either Julie Martin or Jim Cantore on the Weather Channel recently- that idea didn’t work out so well. They waited a day, had meetings, and kept on going.
Another plane showed up and got them to Rome in time...

Didn’t faze Coach Van or the team at all…
Remember this is a team that came from 20-below zero temps to play in the 60’s.
They were wearing shorts at practice and flopped around in the mud when called upon...

There are 27 new players on his squad this year so the whole idea of his guys getting wrapped up in defending may not exist publicly. Coach Van views the teams as two different teams.

“It’s very fitting that these two teams are here to play,” he admitted. “It’s great that Carroll and the University of Sioux Falls are here at this moment. We all have goals in a season. From where we came from playing Azusa Pacific in August to now, and then you win that semi-final… there is that anticipation of ‘Hey, you’re playing in a national championship.”

He did it with a freshman quarterback, too.

And Matt Ritter was the fourth QB he had to use this season because of injuries.

“I didn’t envision in August that I would compete for a spot.”
Yeah…? But I did ask him as he was leaving if even he thought about what was going on...

"I never thought this would be what happened, it's been a fun ride."

Coach Van followed up that quote quickly by saying that if Ritter wasn’t playing QB, he would have found a spot for him as a receiver or something. He’s that much of a competitor and player for Carroll. But Matt has taken to the role and taken on the defenses he’s face- no worries.

But for Carroll to repeat, they know the following…
A) They’re the hunted…
B) Game plan stuff…? The USF linebackers and safeties are fast.
The offense presents a real threat…

“With all their shifts and motions,” Coach Van continued, “they’re well-planned and well-coached. They’re real fun to watch.”

And that’s why coaches showed up at the USF practice…