St. Scholastica Picked Second In Preseason Football Poll

Aug. 14, 2012

Northland Sports Online

Despite having an undefeated champion in 2011, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) football coaches were split in predicting who would win the league’s title in 2012. Greenville College, the College of St. Scholastica and Westminster College (Mo.) all received three first-place votes in the annual preseason coaches’ poll with Greenville, the 2009 UMAC South Division Champion and 2010 overall winner, taking first place by a mere point. Just three points separated the three teams, who filled in the top spots in the final UMAC standings a year ago with the Saints being the only team to run the table and earn the conference’s first-ever automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

1. Greenville College Panthers

2011 Overall Record: 7-3

2011 UMAC Record: 7-2

2011 UMAC Finish: T-2nd

Starters Returning: 12

Starters Lost: 14

After starting the 2011 campaign with three straight losses, Greenville won its final seven games of the regular season, giving the Panthers momentum heading into 2012. Greenville’s offense returns eight starters from a group that completed one of the greatest statistical seasons in school history, averaging over 500 yards and 39 points per game a year ago. The Panthers’ 342 yards per game on the ground ranked third amongst all NCAA Division III programs. Quarterback Brendan Chambers, a 2011 UMAC First Team All-Conference honoree, returns under center after rushing for 1,274 yards and scoring a whopping 35 touchdowns between running and passing. Running backs Bobby Hughley and Manny Gamble also return after combining for over 1,400 yards and 16 TDs last year. Greenville’s offensive line is rather intact from 2011 as well, with Beyond Sports Network Preseason All-American Jeremy Burrows anchoring the front end with three-year starter Trendon Amuzie.

After taking a couple years off from running the defense, Greenville Head Coach Ordell Walker will call the team’s plays from that side of the ball again in 2012. Leading the group of five defensive starters returning from last years group is UMAC Second Team All-Conference linebacker Cody Lopez is back after a 95-tackle season. Lopez’s fellow linebacker, Anthony Osuna, returns for his senior season after a breakout 2011 that included 38 tackles, four of which went for a loss. Cornerback Anthony Everett had 32 tackles and a pair of picks last year and will anchor the Panthers’ defensive secondary.

2. College of St. Scholastica Saints

2011 Overall Record: 10-1

2011 UMAC Record: 9-0

2011 UMAC Finish: 1st

Starters Returning: 14

Starters Lost: 9

Saints head coach Greg Carlson, the reigning UMAC Coach of the Year, took a St. Scholastica program that he started four years prior into the NCAA Tournament while sweeping its 2011 regular season schedule. With their inaugural recruiting class gone, the biggest question will be if the Saints reload or rebuild. Offensively, the Saints lost five seniors who started the playoff game last season including UMAC Offensive Player of the Year and Gagliardi Trophy Finalist in quarterback Alex Thiry (Cambridge, Minn./Braham HS (Minn.-Duluth)). Thiry had one of the most prolific passing seasons in college football history last season, throwing 37 touchdowns with only three interceptions. Thiry finished with an efficiency rating of 218.14, which easily led all NCAA Divisions. Carlson likes returnees Stephen Jensen (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) and Tyler Harper (Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle HS) to compete for the starting job this season. Travis Nehowig (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS) and Jake Jensen (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul HS) return in the backfield for St. Scholastica. Jensen was strong in the first five games of last season, rushing for 141.6 yards per game before getting injured on the first play against Westminster. Nehowig had three 100-yard games in Jensen’s absence. Seniors Nick Thiry (Braham, Minn./Braham HS) and Don Anderson (Prentice, Wis./Prentice HS) return at receiver. Thiry was second on the team in receiving with 40 receptions and nine touchdowns. On the line, the Saints return junior Chris Lambach (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul HS), sophomore Peter Stanley (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS) and fifth-year senior Mike Evans (Andover, Minn./St. Francis HS).

The Saints defense led all of NCAA Division III in turnover margin (+2.0), but will be under new leadership as Allen Smith takes over the defensive coordinator vacancy left by Tom Parkevich, who left to take the head coach position at future UMAC competitor Iowa Wesleyan College. As far as personnel, the Saints lose 2011 UMAC Defensive Player of Year Sean Graskey (Superior, Wis./Superior HS) and all-conference linebacker JP Leary (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul HS) to graduation. An injury will also keep D3football.com All-Region performer and first team All-UMAC defensive end Christopher Doran (Andover, Minn./Andover HS) out this year. Other than Doran, the Saints return the rest of defensive front in seniors Chas Lemon (Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle HS), Zack Dubanoski (New Prague, Minn./New Prague HS) and Jordan Rasmussen (Albert Lea, Minn./Albert Lea HS (Ridgewater CC)). Dubanoski was a D3football.com was also an all-region performer in 2011.

3. Westminster College (Mo.) Blue Jays

2011 Overall Record: 8-2

2011 UMAC Record: 7-2

2011 UMAC Finish: T-2nd

Starters Returning: 14

Starters Lost: 8

Westminster’s eight wins in 2011 were the fifth-most in program history and the third time that the Blue Jays have won eight games in a season since football started in Fulton, Mo. in 1960. In his 14th year at the helm of Westminster Football, head coach John Welty and his team are in search of their third-ever UMAC title in 2012. To transition from last year into the current year’s campaign, Welty has had to identify replacements for All-UMAC players Carl Givens (wide receiver) and Zain Gower (running back). Other than those losses, the Blue Jays return enough depth to remain in the hunt if the team can weather a schedule that includes four road games in the first six weeks of the season. Jake Evans, a first team all-conference selection in 2011, returns to Westminster’s offensive line, as does -kicker Ross Richardson, who scored 31 points with his leg last year. The Blue Jays would like to match their early-game aggressiveness from a season ago, when they outscored opponents 87-33. Punting wasn’t always an automatic choice for the three-time conference champions last year, with Westminster converting half of its 26 fourth-down opportunities.

The Blue Jays led the league and finished 20th in the nation (NCAA Division III) in total defense, allowing an average of just 276 yards per game. Westminster was especially strong against opponents’ rushing efforts as evidenced by holding the other team to an average of 87 yards per game on the ground. Heading into the upcoming season, the pair of Rodney and Gus Lyles headlines Westminster’s defense after the defensive lineman and linebacker, both UMAC All-Conference First Teamers in 2011, finished last year first and second on the team in tackles with a combined 119. Westminster held its competition to 18 points or less on five occasions last year while averaging nearly 33 points per game on offense.

4. Northwestern College (Minn.) Eagles

2011 Overall Record: 6-4

2011 UMAC Record: 6-3

2011 UMAC Finish: 4th

Starters Returning: 10

Starters Lost: 12

After finishing the 2010 season with a 1-8 record, Northwestern rebounded to post a 6-4 mark in 2011, matching a program-best turnaround of five games while earning a third-place finish in the final UMAC standings, up from eighth the year before. The Eagles return 10 players from last year’s run, including a third-year starting quarterback and the reigning conference lineman of the year. Northwestern’s offense starts with quarterback Josh Balzer, who will come under center as the Eagles’ starter for the third consecutive season. Balzer struggled in his sophomore debut as the team’s signal caller, but improved vastly in his junior season of 2011. Last year, Balzer completed 127 of 229 passes for 1826 yards, an average of 182.6 yards per game, throwing for 19 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions. Featured back Tim Youtzy got halfway through the 2011 campaign before suffering a season-ending injury. A strong majority of the offensive line returns for Northwestern in 2012 including Evan Voelker and Conner Leach.

The NWC defense finished third in the UMAC in both total defense and scoring defense last year. Josh Swore, another player who was announced as a Beyond Sports Network Preseason All-American in July who earned the 2011 UMAC Lineman of the Year award, returns to anchor the defensive line this season. Swore totaled a team-high 79 tackles, 37 of which were solo. He also posted 21 tackles for a loss of 91 yards and 8.5 sacks, both of which were also tops on the squad. Also back is linebacker Kendall Sommerlot, who tallied 74 tackles a year ago. The Eagles secondary will have a bit of a different look this season with four starting defensive backs and linebackers departing due to graduation.

5. Eureka College Red Devils

2011 Overall Record: 4-6

2011 UMAC Record: 4-5

2011 UMAC Finish: 6th

Starters Returning: 14

Starters Lost: 8

Eureka will attempt to continue its football revival in 2012, as fourth-year head coach Kurt Barth will try to build upon the most successful three-year stretch in more than a decade. More than a dozen starters return for the Red Devils, who opened last season’s league schedule with four consecutive victories for the first time since 1995. The Red Devils offense will look to improve upon its third quarter scoring after being out-scored 101-31 in that period last season. The Eureka offense returns seven starters and will be anchored by senior quarterback and two-time All-UMAC choice Sam Durley. Durley, who will be starting under center for the third consecutive season in 2012, is within striking distance of several Eureka passing records, including career attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns. Receiver Matt Dawson is back after hauling in 44 receptions in 2011, and running back Corey Dawson also returns after leading the Red Devils with 592 rushing yards as a sophomore in 2011. In addition, Eureka returns three starters to its offensive line.

Junior linebacker and 2011 UMAC All-Conference selection Jacob Carls returns to headline a defense that returns all but two starters, which includes its entire front seven. Carls, who had 87 tackles and two interceptions a year ago, will be joined by classmates Frankie Bray (33 tackles) and Drew Duffy (60 tackles) as linebackers, while seniors Craig Wilson (7.5 TFL), Josh Girard (24 tackles) and Dan Bolsen (58 tackles) return on the defensive line. The Red Devils defense will look different in 2012 simply due to the end of safety Mike Minehan’s four years of eligibility. Minehan received All-UMAC First Team honors after making 110 tackles last year. Murad Abbed, who racked up 65 tackles and three picks at the same time, will now anchor the Eureka secondary that includes returning starter Wes Robinson.

6. University of Minnesota Morris Cougars

2011 Overall Record: 5-5

2011 UMAC Record: 5-4

2011 UMAC Finish: 5th

Starters Returning: 18

Starters Lost: 4

With a majority of its starting lineup returning on both offense and defense, Minnesota Morris can build on what it had from last year’s .500 finish. In his sixth season directing the Cougars program, head coach Todd Hickman has familiar names such as Leandro Dower and Derrick Foss who look to continue to excel on the field. Dower, who received UMAC Second Team All-Conference honors in 2011, led Morris with 784 rushing yards in a two-back offense, averaging 4.67 yards per carry to go with a team-best six touchdowns on the season. Foss threw for nine TDs last year compared to four interceptions on 152 passing attempts, completing 47 percent of his throws. Dan Garrigan also saw time under center for the Cougars, playing in nine of the team’s 10 games and not throwing an interception in 80 attempts. Dower’s fellow teammate on the second team all-conference list, Brendon Foss, reenters the fold after recording 890 yards a year ago, catching 11 balls that went for scores.

Minnesota Morris led the conference in pass defense last year, but struggled against the run, allowing an average of 224 yards per game and 29 touchdowns. Cody Hickman led the team with 106 tackles in his freshman campaign, also forcing four fumbles along the way. Hickman, a linebacker, finished tops amongst UMAC players in total tackles and average tackles per game with 10.9 to earn a spot on the All-UMAC Second Team.

7. Martin Luther College Knights

2011 Overall Record: 2-8

2011 UMAC Record: 2-7

2011 UMAC Finish: T-8th

Starters Returning: 13

Starters Lost: 9

Martin Luther is hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2011 season that saw the Knights earn just two victories on the field. MLC won the UMAC North Division in 2009 with seven victories before sliding to a 5-4 record in 2010. Offensively, Martin Luther returns seven starters from a year ago, including three on the offensive line. 2011 UMAC All-Conference performer Eric Duve leads the group, while Dyllan Jensen and Jacob Bode were also consistent starters last season. At the skill positions, the Knights return receivers Scott Henrich and Micah Plocher, while Mark Voss and Tyler Dorn were two of the team’s starters in the backfield. Henrich was Martin Luther’s leading receiver in 2011 with 328 yards and a touchdown, while Dorn rushed for 668 yards and 11 TDs. Newcomers Matt Olson, Luke Rothe and Josh Rathje will compete for the starting quarterback position with the graduation of Joseph Lindloff, last year’s starter who led the team in both passing and rushing. If they don’t win the job under center, Olson and Rothe also have the ability to play elsewhere on the field for the Knights.

On defense, Martin Luther must replace five starters. One bright spot is the return of three-time All-UMAC defensive back Benjamin Olson, who missed the final seven games of last year’s season due to an injury. Olson will be joined in the secondary by fellow returner Peter Schlicht. Paul Spaude will move from safety to his more natural linebacker position, while Justin Eternick and Doug Van Sice each bring experience to a defensive line that said goodbye to two seniors following last year’s campaign. Spaude was fifth on the 2011 squad with 54 tackles.

8. MacMurray College Highlanders

2011 Overall Record: 2-8

2011 UMAC Record: 2-7

2011 UMAC Finish: T-8th

Starters Returning: 13

Starters Lost: 3

2011 was a transition year for MacMurray, who endured two head coaching changes and a flood on its campus. Now with a full coaching staff and an entire offseason to shape the team, second year head coach Chris Douglas and his staff have brought in 40 new players and return another 35 to a team that seeks to grow in all positions. On the offensive side of the ball, the Highlanders return six starters, with many on the offensive line coming back. Replacing all-conference tackle Demetrius Suggs will be a difficult chore, but Joshwa Mason, Zachary Peppers and James Simelton all return to the front line. Lineman Casey Young is also back after an injury ended his 2011 season after just two games. Four starters return from last year’s receiving corps, which made significant strides last year. Dan Routh, Damon Byrd, Deshonta Smallwood and Jorian Clemons helped account for over 650 passing yards in the final two games of the season. John Brockhouse will enter the season on top of the depth chart at quarterback. Brockhouse started one game in 2011 while taking snaps in other games.

While Douglas returns several familiar faces on offense, defense will be an area that MacMurray will want to improve upon this season as well. The Highlanders allowed an average of 424 yards per contest, which was seventh in the league. 241 of those yards per game came on the ground, meaning Mac will need to shore up its front seven. Defensive back Taylor Hosta returns after an 80-tackle 2011 that also featured three forced fumbles.

9. Crown College Storm

2011 Overall Record: 0-10

2011 UMAC Record: 0-9

2011 UMAC Finish: 10th

Starters Returning: 12

Starters Lost: 10

Coming off its most successful season in school history in 2010, Crown saw a host of newcomers take the field in 2011 as 15 senior starters graduated from a team that went 6-3 and finished near the top of the conference standings. Last year ended in disappointment for the Storm as Crown was unable to win a game, finishing 0-10. John Auer’s team is laden with newcomers and transfers yet again as Crown adds some fresh talent to its quest to change the previous season’s results. Although Auer has been a constant for the Storm football program since the early 2000s, both of his coordinators are entering their first year with the program in 2012. Offensively, Crown returns seven starters, led by running back Amos Schmidt, who came on late in the 2011 campaign with four 100-yard performances. All-conference winner Max Moser is one of three starters that return on the offensive line.

Crown returns five starters on defense, led by linemen Zach Jusczak and Drew Zoromski, who combined for over 100 tackles in 2011. Jusczak and Zoromski both started as freshmen last year. Isaac Edlund is also back for the Storm after racking up 49 tackles during his sophomore campaign. The Storm also return punter Kyle Knox, who has maintained consistency in controlling the field position battle throughout his career.

Each UMAC team will play eight conference games throughout the 2012 schedule with the conference’s regular season champion moving on to the NCAA playoffs via the league’s automatic qualifier. Following a full slate of nonconference games in Week 1, eight of the nine UMAC teams will kick off their conference schedules on Sept. 8.

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