Perhaps no play higher encapsulates North Central College junior quarterback Luke Lehnen’s particular expertise greater than his landing cross to Charles Coleman on Saturday.
It’s only a 7-yard TD cross within the field rating. On movie, nonetheless, it’s a murals.
Wartburg’s protection blew up the Cardinals’ play, however Lehnen’s instincts kicked in instantly. The Glenwood graduate ran to the far aspect of the sector and saved transferring backward to keep away from the stress, ultimately firing the ball to Coleman within the flat from the 23-yard line. Coleman walked into the tip zone.
“It’s second nature at this point,” Lehnen mentioned. “I have my legs. I can use them to extend the play as long as I can and find my receivers open.”
Lehnen prolonged No. 1 NCC’s season, too, throwing three TD passes throughout its 34-27 victory within the NCAA Division III nationwide semifinals in Waverly, Iowa.
The defending nationwide champion Cardinals (14-0), who’ve received 29 video games in a row over two seasons, will play No. 11 Cortland (13-1) within the Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia, at 6 p.m. Friday, seeking to win their third nationwide title of their fourth straight look. The sport shall be broadcast on ESPNU.
Lehnen’s teammates know they must be alert even when a play seems to be damaged. He can flip it round in seconds.
“You can’t wait for Saturdays because something electric can happen at any time,” NCC offensive coordinator Eric Stuedemann mentioned. “He by no means offers up. He didn’t surrender on a few of these performs Saturday.
“That wasn’t the first time it’s happened. It’s happened throughout the year. It’s a credit to all 11 guys on the field.”
Lehnen’s athleticism jumps off the tape. He doesn’t make solely these splash performs, nonetheless. He makes nearly each different play as effectively.
Lehnen’s passer effectivity score of 270.2 is the very best in NCAA historical past no matter class. He additionally has an opportunity to set the Division III single-season information for yards per accomplished cross, yards per cross try and proportion of passes accomplished for touchdowns.
Lehnen, who additionally performs baseball for NCC, has accomplished 162 for 215 (75.4%) for 3,228 yards with 46 TDs and simply two interceptions. He can be NCC’s second-leading rusher with 735 yards and 11 TDs on 100 makes an attempt.
Last week, Lehnen was named considered one of 5 finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, the very best particular person honor in Division III. He can be the third NCC participant to win the award, becoming a member of Broc Rutter (2019) and Ethan Greenfield (2022). He was named a first-team All-American on Monday.
“He made a lot of plays every Saturday worthy of that award,” NCC coach Brad Spencer mentioned. “He has the off-field and neighborhood credentials as effectively. He takes on accountability himself for lots of issues.
“He’s such a mature young man, and above everything he’s an outstanding competitor. He’s a pretty hard guy to stop. He’s just an unbelievable football player and captain, leader and an even better person.”
The winner of the Gagliardi Trophy shall be introduced proper earlier than the sport on Friday. When Rutter and Greenfield received, the crew prevailed within the nationwide championship sport.
That can be the dream state of affairs for Lehnen, who has one other yr of eligibility remaining and intends to return subsequent season whatever the sport’s consequence.
“My focus isn’t on winning it,” Lehnen mentioned of the award. “It can be an important honor, however my focus is on getting ready for this sport Friday and doing what I can do to assist me and my teammates have the perfect probability of successful.
“It’s a nice extra thing to win, but I definitely think the team trophy is more important.”
Paul Johnson is a contract reporter for The Naperville Sun.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com