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MOUNT VERNON -- Cornell puts its potent passing attack up against the ground game of Luther in Saturday’s Iowa Conference football matchup at Ash Park Stadium.

The host Rams enter the game averaging 267 yards through the air, second in the conference. Quarterback Anthony Kobler ( Brentwood, Mo./ Brentwood) has compiled 979 yards of total offense and ranks fifth in Division III in that department at 326.3 yards per game.

Luther relies on the running of senior Tyler Sherden, who has rushed for a league-best 412 yards (137.3 ypg) after missing all of last season because of an injury. Sherden, a 2004 all-conference pick, has 2,199 career rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.

Cornell, coming off a bye week, had a few extra days to prepare for Sherden and shore up its rush defense. The Rams allowed 184 rushing yards to Loras’ Alex McGrew in their last game Sept. 15 in Mount Vernon.

“In this league you have to run the ball and stop the run, or you will be in trouble. We haven’t proven that we can stop the run,” Cornell head coach Matt Dillon said. “Sherden is the real deal, probably the top back in the conference. We have to do a much better job against the run.”

The all-time series is even at 5-5, although Luther has taken the last four meetings. The Norse held Cornell scoreless into the fourth quarter and rolled to a 37-6 victory last year in Decorah. That game was Luther’s only win in IIAC play last season. The Rams have dropped 13 consecutive games against league foes, dating back to a 25-21 home win over Dubuque on Oct. 25, 2005.

“Luther has played everybody tough this year and last year,” Dillon said. “They’ve had a little bit of hard luck, similar to us in that respect. Both teams are finding it hard to get over the hump. Luther is a legitimate football team.”

The Rams are coming off a tough 30-20 loss to Loras two weeks ago, denying the team’s first 3-0 start to a season since 2001. Cornell carried a 20-15 lead into the fourth quarter, but Loras went ahead for good on an interception return for a touchdown with 14 minutes remaining.

Going for a grand – Kobler has a chance to top the 1,000-yard passing mark in only his fourth game this season. The senior signal-caller has thrown for 778 yards and six touchdowns thus far, an average of 259.3 yards per game. Kobler has accumulated 2,793 passing yards in four seasons.

Playmakers – The Rams have four receivers averaging over 15 yards per pass reception. Josh Youngblood (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) heads the group with 21.8 yards per catch, highlighted by a season-long, 88-yard touchdown grab against Alma. Kyle Krogmann (DeWitt/Northeast) averages 16.9 yards, Kyle Tierney (Cedar Rapids/Jefferson) 16.0 and Caleb Simon (Parker, Colo./Christian Fellowship) 15.5.

“We’ve got some offensive weapons,” Dillon said. “We have to get them in space and let them do some things.”

Get ‘em Gus – Cornell senior linebacker Chris Gustafson ( Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek) recorded 10 tackles against Loras Sept. 15, marking the 10 th consecutive game he has collected at least 10 stops. Gustafson has reached double-digits in tackles in 26 games over his career.

Hundred for Hardman – Junior running back Travion Hardman ( Oak Park, Ill./ Oak Park River Forest) rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown against Loras. It was Hardman’s fifth 100-yard rushing game of his career and first this season. He leads the team with 265 rushing yards, averaging a hefty 7.4 yards per carry.

Quiet at first – Cornell’s offense averages 28.7 points a game, but has yet to score a point in the first quarter this season. The Rams have been at their best in the second quarter with 49 total points.

Rest or rust? – The Rams are 2-7 after the bye week since joining the Iowa Conference in 1998. Cornell fell 34-7 at home against eighth-ranked Central after last year’s bye week. The Rams’ last win following a bye week was a 26-13 decision over Wartburg in 2001.

Sack for Zach – Cornell’s Zach Zasada ( Sauk City, Wis./Sauk Prairie) leads the IIAC with 1.17 sacks per game. The sophomore defensive tackle has 3.5 sacks for minus-23 yards. Zasada also leads the Rams with 5.0 tackles for loss.

Ace (attitude, character, effort) awards – Defense: Ben Heitland (Postville/Postville); Offense: Josh Youngblood (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson); Special Teams: Morgan Campbell ( Harrison, Ark./Wentworth Millitary Academy); Scout Team Defense: Andy Siar ( Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North); Scout Team Offense: Isaac Hull ( Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek).