By the numbers, Snow has advantage
By Sean Hales
11-28-07

EPHRAIM—By the numbers, it would appear Snow College has a decisive advantage over Butler Community College to take the national title at the Top of the Mountains Bowl this Saturday in Salt Lake.
Butler’s highest rank in NJCAA team statistics is seventh for its rushing defense, which held teams to a measly 74 yards per game. But that pales in comparison to Snow College’s rushing defense, which is ranked fourth and held teams to 47 yards per game.
Butler’s next highest ranking—11th—comes for its rushing offense, which boasts Beau Johnson, the nation’s third-ranked running back with 1,546 yards (140 yards per game) and 15 touchdowns.
Snow has few players ranked in the NJCAA at this point in the season, but that’s just a technicality.
For example, Snow receiver Kyle Hatch has recorded 674 receiving yards and five touchdowns in five games, two fewer than the number required to be ranked in the NJCAA.
Similarly, Snow quarterback Jon Eastman just missed the games-played requirement with six, but would still be ranked 19th with his 1,403 yards and 13 touchdowns. Backup Houston Erbstoessor, who played exactly seven games, is ranked 26th with 912 yards (130 per game).
By team numbers, Snow is clearly dominant.
The Badgers are sixth in rushing and fifth in passing, which gives them a second-place total offense ranking.
Butler is 37th in passing and 22nd in total offense.
But maybe Butler’s unimpressive numbers should cause another look.
How could the NJCAA’s 22nd-ranked defense pitch four shutouts?
How could Butler, ranked 22nd in offense, produce 34 points a game?
Part of it might be the competition. Five Butler wins this season came against four conference opponents who are among the bottom seven teams in the NJCAA for total offense. Two of those were shutouts and two were against Coffeyville, the NJCAA’s worst offense, producing just 127 yards in nine games this year.
But according to Badger head coach Steve Coburn, Butler’s strength is in its big offensive and defensive lines and the fact that the team has “intentness.”
“They know who they are and what they’re going to do, and they do it well against anyone they play,” said Coburn.
He likened the contest to Snow’s game earlier this year against Eastern Arizona, the nation’s top rushing defense and offense going at it.
He said he was confident in his defense and that Butler’s one-dimensionality would prove an advantage for his team.
But, he says, come game day, stats are meaningless.
“We’re going to throw all those numbers out come kickoff.”