Matt Dillon’s rebuilding effort at Cornell College is off to a good start. Dillon led West Des Moines Dowling Catholic High School to a pair of class 4A state title and is in his first season as head coach at his alma mater. The Rams are 2-0 and Dillon says he is not surprised by their start.

Dillion says he was surprised by the level of talent when he took over and says the problem is they don’t have a lot of depth. Dillion says they need to stay healthy to compete. And he says they needed to change the attitude and belief that they could win.

The formula for the Rams has been simple and that’s run the ball. They are averaging 264-yards of rushing in their first two games. Dillion says that’s the same philosophy he’s had since he coached at Dowling. Dillion says if you can run the ball and stop the run, then you have a chance in just about any football game.

Dillon says the strong rushing attack has kept the Rams’ defense off the field. In the first week against Northwestern, he says they had 76 offensive snaps to their 51. He says they also had more time of possession in that game and in week two.

Cornell opens Iowa Conference play on Saturday with a visit to the university of Dubuque.