5 Iowa college football storylines: Former Marion prep Jaffer Murphy kicking it for Lake Erie College

Former Marion prep Jaffer Murphy has made an immediate impact with Lake Erie College. Is Jeron Senters a frequent target for Coe? Drake George approaches Wartburg’s receiving record. Run games are key at Cornell on Saturday, plus an NAIA update. Here are five storylines in Iowa small college football this weekend.

Jaffer Murphy kickin’ it with Lake Erie College

Former Marion prep Jaffer Murphy started his college career playing soccer at Drake before moving on to play at Florida Gulf Coast. Murphy is now a member of Lake Erie College’s football team, an NCAA Division II program in Painesville, Ohio.

Murphy has made an impact already for the Storm. Murphy made three field goals in last week’s 28-27 victory over Post University, including a 53-yard field goal for a school and Great Midwest Athletic Conference record. The senior owns the longest made field goal by a D-II kicker this season. Murphy also made field goals from 28 and 44 yards, earning GMAC Special Teams Player of the Week. He has connected on 4 of 5 field goals this season.

Murphy will continue to be a key asset for the Storm, who take a 1-1 mark into Saturday’s game at Findlay.

Senters of attention for Coe’s offense

Coe wide receiver Jeron Senters has been a frequent target in the pass game through two games. Senters earned American Rivers Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors, posting 144 receiving yards and scoring three touchdowns on 14 catches. He also reeled in a two-point conversion in overtime of Coe’s 43-41 victory over Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Senters leads Coe with 19 catches, 218 yards and four touchdowns through two games. His catch total is more than three times better than the next Kohawk. He has more than twice the yardage of the second-best total on the team and has all but two of Coe’s TD receptions.

The Kohawks open conference competition against Luther (0-1) at Decorah. The Norse allowed 306 passing yards to St. Olaf in their season-opening 53-7 loss.

By George: Wartburg receiver nears career catches record

Wartburg wide receiver Drake George is closing in on the school’s receptions record. Heading into Saturday’s American Rivers Conference opener at rival Central, George ranks second all-time with 179 career catches, trailing Riley Brockway, who had 189 receptions from 2014-17.

The fifth-year senior from Western Dubuque had eight catches for 115 yards last week in a loss to then-No. 12 St. John’s (Minn.), giving him 156 yards on 12 catches this season. George is also tied for sixth in career receiving yards (2,146) and TD receptions (18).

Cornell hosts Lake Forest

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Cornell broke into the win column last Saturday with a 31-21 victory over Lawrence. The Rams (1-1) will face a tough challenge, hosting Lake Forest on Saturday.

Tony Gomez surpassed 100 yards rushing in a game for the seventh time, amassing 136 yards and two touchdowns in the Midwest Conference opener. His Lake Forest counterpart, A.J. Jackson, was a scoring machine last week in a 42-35 win over Illinois College. Jackson scored five rushing touchdowns (1, 7, 1, 10, 17) for the Foresters (2-0). He surpassed 200 all-purpose yards, including 55 rushing and 66 receiving. Jackson was also named to the D3football.com team of the week. Stopping and establishing the run will be vital for both teams Saturday at Ash Park.

Iowa programs rank among NAIA’s best

Iowa schools have a strong tradition in NAIA football. This season is no different. Four Iowa programs are ranked in the top 13, including two in the top three in the latest national poll.

Northwestern College leads the way, sitting in the No. 2 spot behind top-ranked Keiser (Fla.) University. The Red Raiders and No. 3 Grand View are both 2-0. Dordt University in Sioux Center is 1-0 and is ranked 10th, up two spots from the previous rankings. Morningside has moved up one spot to No. 13, owning a 2-1 mark.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com