The outcomes of the close games can make or break a football season and St. Ambrose has turned the tables during a 5-1 start to the season. Coach Mike Magistrelli’s team suffered a series of heart breaking losses in 2010 to finish with a 5-5 record. He says they are more experienced after last year. Magistrelli says they played teams close last year, but weren’t able to win, while this year they are winning.
Magistrelli says a big key this season has been the play of a defense which is giving up just over 14 points per game. He says at times they’ve given up yards, but the yards don’t get you beat the points do. He says they’ve also been able to create some turnovers.
Their fate in the Mid-State’s Midwest League will be decided on the final two weekends with games against William Penn and St. Francis of Illinois. St. Ambrose is on the road this weekend to take on Olivet Nazarene. Magistrelli calls them a dangerous team at 2-5 that beat a good Coe College team.
St. Ambrose is ranked 13th in the latest NAIA top 25.