defense Oct. 1, 2009

Central up to No. 8 in AFCA poll

PELLA—Central College climbed three spots to No. 8 in the American Football Coaches Association Division III coaches’ poll.

Earlier the Dutch were rated 10th in the D3football.com poll. Central (4-0 overall, 2-0 Iowa Conference) defeated Coe College at Pella last Saturday 24-6. The Dutch play host to Cornell College in a 1 p.m. game Saturday at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.

NCAA statistics rankings—Central is 13th in Division III in kickoff returns with 32.82 yards per return. The Dutch are 18th in rushing offense (247.75 yards per game), 19th in sacks per game (3.50) and 22nd in rushing defense (69.25 yards allowed per game).

Individually Aaron Steenhoek (junior, Pella) is tied for 19th in tackles for loss (1.12 per game) and Mike Furlong (sophomore, Davenport, Assumption HS) is 22nd in kickoff returns (29.17 yards per return).

Central’s NCAA Division III statistical leaders
Individual statistics
Rushing--32. David Zachary, 112.25 yds.
Sacks--20. (tie) Shane Wong, 1.25 per game
            27. (tie) Aaron Steenhoek, 1.12 per game
Tackles for loss--19. (tie) Aaron Steenhoek, 2.25 per game
Kickoff returns--22. Mike Furlong, 29.17 yds.
Field goals--39. (tie) Jake Viggers, 0.80
Punt returns--66. Brett Wilkin, 8.44
Tackles for loss--87. Shane Wong, 1.30 

Team statistics
Rushing offense--18. Central, 247.75 yds.
Rushing defense--22. Central, 69.25 yds.
Kickoff returns--13. 32.82 yds.
Sacks allowed--40. (tie) 0.75 per game
Sacks--19. 3.50 per game