Loyola-Chicago’s defeat of Northern Iowa has the Great Midwest sitting up and taking notice.

Now at 2-1, Loyola is tied with Northern Iowa at 3-1 and in a solid position to make a go in the Great Midwest playoffs.

Now, Loyola’s 27-22 loss to Illinois State on September 7 looms large as an indication that Loyola could be very serious.

“Right now we have a really good feeling in the team,” said Loyola hooker Tim Edmonds. “We dropped that early game to Illinois State but we think we’re improving and we’re working hard.”

The key for the team was the addition of Lance Houia as Head Coach. A hugely respected coach, Houia has installed some new systems, and also instilled a nice combination of self-belief and positional insecurity.

“He came in and from Day One he woke us up,” said Edmonds. “We’re in a situation now that we have 35 guys and no player is an automatic.”

So there is competition for places, and everyone is working a little bit harder. Combine that with the skill and tactical improvements Houia has brought in, and that’s the recipe for an improving team.

“We have always had good athletes,” said Edmonds. “And we’ve got five or six new players who are really good.”

Riley Miller scored two tries for Loyola in the 43-21 win over UNI, while Edmonds, Case Jeffiers, Jim Melody, and Ryan Maxfield all touched down.

The race for the top in the Great Midwest South Division is likely going to end with Illinois State at first, but Loyola now could very well be 2nd, which puts them in an excellent position to be in the semis, and maybe a national playoff spot if they keep getting better.

It seems pretty clear that they’re getting better.