Macalester football will go for its first 3-0 start since 1984 when it hosts Maranatha Baptist (Wis.) Saturday night (Sept. 15) at 7 p.m. The Scots opened the campaign with strong defensive performances in wins over Crown (53-6) and Concordia-Wisconsin (17-13).

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The Scots and the Crusaders have matched up in each of the prior four seasons, with Macalester winning all four of these contests. In last year's 34-20 triumph, the Scots rallied from a 20-17 halftime deficit with 17 fourth quarter points. T. Joe Loiselle rushed for 90 yards, while Clark Bledsoe threw for three touchdowns in that game.

Maranatha is 0-2 after starting the season with losses to Martin Luther (36-12) and Trinity (N.D.) (31-20).  Quarterback Brandon McCormick threw for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns last week, completing 12 passes for 135 yards to Joel Kobosh. Linebacker Ethan Lane led the defense with 10 tackles.

Macalester has yielded just 16 points in its two games and has recorded nine QB sacks, led by Reid Callahan with three.  Jole Miller, Spencer Robinson and David Melms are the tackle leaders.  Mike Adams (146 yds.) and T. Joe Loiselle (120) are the rushing leaders and quarterback Clark Bledsoe has completed 63% of his passes with no interceptions.

If Macalester wins tonight it will go for its first 4-0 start since 1898 when the Scots travel to Portland, Oregon, to take on Lewis & Clark.