GAME NOTES
LIVE STATS / LIVE VIDEO
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology returns home to put its undefeated football record on the line against Bluffton University on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
The Fightin' Engineers stand a perfect 4-0 on the season for the first time since 1987 and are receiving votes in two national NCAA Division III polls for the first time ever. Rose-Hulman has scored 40 or more points in every game, including a 74-68 triple overtime win over Illinois College and a 48-42 double overtime victory over Hanover.
The Fightin' Engineers enter the contest ranked No. 1 nationally in total offense (622.3 ypg) and passing offense (447.8 ypg) to lead the 4-0 start. Sophomore Austin Swenson leads the nation in completions per game (34.5), passing yards per game (441.5), total offense (462.5 ypg) and points responsible for per game (32.0).
Sophomore Alec Fisher is ranked in the national top 10 in receiving touchdowns (2nd with 9), scoring (7th at 13.5 ppg), receptions per game (8th with 8.8) and in receiving yards per game (9th with 124.0). The offensive line also stands No. 9 nationally in fewest sacks allowed (0.5 per game).
Defensively, sophomore Kevin Nowak stands No. 7 nationally in passes defensed at 2.3 per game, and junior Chris Sander is No. 10 in solo tackles (7.8 per game).
Senior Greg Lee leads the rushing attack with 317 yards and four touchdowns, and four Fightin' Engineers rushers have combined to score 10 touchdowns. Junior Aaron Abbott (31 rec., 345 yds., 5 TDs) and sophomore Joe Moehrle (24 rec., 307 yds., 4 TDs) have been the primary targets for a receiving corps that features 12 players with a reception.
Defensively, freshman Kaelen Garner and seniors Spencer Balash and Josh Sonneberger have crossed the 20-yackle mark this season. Freshman Marlin O'Neal has added two sacks and one interception, while freshman Brandon Volmerding has tallied a pair of fumble recoveries.
Bluffton stands 1-3 overall and 1-1 in HCAC play after defeating Hanover 20-14 in its Homecoming game last weekend. Eric Fox leads the conference in rushing at 473 yards and gained 139 yards last week. Nick Sheehan completed 16 of 35 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns to balance the offensive attack, and Brad Swavel had nine tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss to lead the Beaver defense.
After this week's game, Rose-Hulman hits the road for Defiance College and another HCAC matchup on Oct. 18 at 1:30 p.m.
