It has been a great start to the college football season in Sioux City where Morningside and Briar Cliff have posted some impressive victories. Morningside entered the N-A-I-A top 25 last week and improved to 3-0 with a 24-17 win over Dana of Nebraska. They host Midland Lutheran this weekend. Morningside coach Steve Ryan says they haven’t started out 4-0 since 1957, and so he says that’s created excitement. Ryan took over the program after the school left the North Central Conference. He says starting a program over with young players requires the young guys to put in a lot, and he says he’s happy with their success thus far. The Mustangs lost several close games last year in which they finished 3-7. So far this season they have made the plays necessary to win the close ones. He says the defense has made big plays down the stretch to seal a victory.Briar Cliff has been opening eyes as well. After claiming the programs first varsity win two weeks ago against Dana the Chargers made it two in a row with a 14-7 upset of 13th ranked Midland Lutheran on the road.Coach Dick Stritmatter says they got more confidence after the first win and he says that’s continue. Strittmatter started the program from scratch and still has few upper classmen on the squad. He says they have five or six juniors, but most are red shirt sophomores and freshmen.After going 0-10 in their first varsity season in 2003 Strittmatter says the wins have brought more excitement to the program.Briar Cliff is idle this week and returns to action October second against Morningside.
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