The Austin Packers look to build on the success they had last week rushing the football.

Thursday, October 12, 2000

The Austin Packers look to build on the success they had last week rushing the football.

THe Packers’ offensive line, consisting of Brett Hovey, Chad Mentel, Todd Krupicka, Jason Tabor and Riley Brolsma, opened holes for Isaac Knox’s 244-yard performance in the Packers’ 22-14 loss at Rochester Century.

"Give all the credit to my linemen," Knox said after the second-best single-game rushing performance in Packer history. "They opened the holes for me all night."

Austin rolled up 333 yards rushing as a team against Century, but was done in by turnovers.

This week the Packers face an Albert Lea team that enters the game with an 0-6 record and has allowed 267 points.

The Tigers rank last in the Big Nine Conference in total offense (90.7 yards per game) and total defense (417.2 yards allowed per game).

Austin ranks sixth in the conference in offense (263 ypg) and third in defense (263.3 ypg).

The defensive total is thanks in large part to the solid play of the defensive line. Austin has recorded 12 sacks through the first six games, third in the Big Nine behind Rochester John Marshall’s 18 and Mankato East’s 15.

That same Packer defense, though, has struggled to force turnovers the last four weeks. After leading the conference in turnover ration through the first three weeks, Austin now ranks ninth, having forced 12 turnovers and given up 15.

In other area games this week, Lyle-Pacelli (3-3) looks to get back on track against a strong Grand Meadow (4-2) squad at Grand Meadow Grand Meadow knocked off Glenville-Emmons 18-14 last week, while L/P fell to Alden-Conger 25-14.

In LeRoy, coach Stan Olson goes for his 200th career win as the Cardinals take on conference foe Glenville-Emmons. LeRoy has scored at least 51 points in each of its games this year and beat GHECML 86-6 a week ago.

Blooming Prairie (4-2) also hopes to bounce back from last week’s heartbreaking 6-0 last-second loss to NRHEG. Blooming, which turned the ball over seven times against NRHEG, hosts Martin County West Friday.