Bemidji State Football Table of Contents
Quick Facts
University Information
Location: Bemidji, Minn. (15,000) Founded: 1919 Enrollment: 5,020 Conference: Northern Sun Intercollegiate Web Site: www.northernsun.org Affiliation: NCAA Division II Nickname: Beavers School Colors: Green & White PMS Color: Green (PMS 3305) Home Field: Chet Anderson Stadium Surface (capacity): Natural Grass (3,500) President: Dr. Jon E. Quistgaard Athletics Director: Dr. Rick Goeb Head Trainer: Bill Crews Assistant Trainer: Eric Sand Assistant Trainer: Corinne Dauksavage Trainer Phone: (218) 755-2769 Equipment Manager: Vance Balstad Equipment Manager: Justin Enfield Equipment Phone: (218) 755-3292 Compliance/SWA: Sarah Levesque Athletics Secretary: Debbie Slough Athletics Phone: (218) 755-2941 Athletics Fax: (218) 755-3898
Team Information
2008 Season Outlook 1 2-4 4-5 5
Quick Facts & Table of Contents Season Outlook: Offense Season Outlook: Defense Season Outlook: Special Teams / Schedule
Bemidji 6-8 9 10 11 12 13
State Coaching Staff
Head Coach Jeff Tesch Associate Head Coach Rich Jahner Assistant Coach Brent Bolte Damian Droessler / Jere Kubuski / J.T. Mathy Eric Medberry / Darren Nelson Bryan Stoffel / Ken Traxler / Support Staff
BSU History and Records 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54-57 57 58 59 60
The Last Time... Individual Records: Passing Individual Records: Rushing Individual Records: Total Offense Individual Records: Receiving Individual Records: Tackles / Sacks) Individual Records: Scoring / Kicking / Punting Individual Records: Returns (INT/punts/kickoffs) Team Records Team Year-by-Year Offensive Stats (since 1971) Individual Awards All-Time Results Coaching Records Chet Anderson Stadium Bemidji State Football Traditions Battle for the Axe
2008 Bemidji State Beavers 14-15 16-21 22 23
Alphabetical / Numerical Rosters Student-Athlete Bios - Key Returning Players Roster Breakdowns Preseason Depth Chart
Opponents 24-27 24 24-27 27 28 28
2008 Opponents Non-Conference Opponent NSIC Opponents NSIC Sports Information Directory 2008 Opponent Schedule Grid 2008 NSIC Composite Schedule
This is Bemidji State University 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68
The 2008 Bemidji State Football Media Guide is a production of the Bemidji State University Office of Athletic Media Relations.
2007 Season in Review 29-32 33-36 37 38 39-42
Game Recaps Final BSU Statistics Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference 2007 All-NSIC Teams / Awards 2007 NSIC Statistical Leaders
Welcome to Bemidji Bemidji State University BSU Athletics Facilities Beaver Pride - The Team Behind the Teams Media Information / NCAA Rules Compliance BSU Media Outlets Administration Department of Athletics Staff Directory
Executive Editor Assistant Editors Cover Design Inside Cover Interior Design Photography Printing
Brad Folkestad; Director of AMR Andy Bartlett; Assoc. Dir. of Communications Rose Jones; Director of Marketing Troy Berneking; Assistant Director of AMR Valerie Mason; Office of Communications Jordan Buckley; Student Assistant Kathy Berglund; Graphic Designer OCM Brad Folkestad; Director of AMR Brad Folkestad; Director of AMR John Swartz; BSU Photo Services Arrow Printing; Bemidji, Minn.
Copyright © 2008 Bemidji State University. All Rights Reserved.
2008 Beaver Football
2007 Record: 7-4 / 6-3 NSIC (4th) Starters Returning: 8 (3 O / 4D / 1 ST) Starters Lost: 15 (7 O / 8 D) Letterwinners Returning / Lost: 31 / 30
Program History
First Year of Football: 1928 All-Time Record: 295-385-24 (.435) NSIC Titles: 5 (1947-50-57-59-2006) Years in Post-Season Play: 1 (2006) Mineral Water Bowl L, 35-27 (Pittsburg St.)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach Jeff Tesch Alma Mater Moorhead State ‘78 Office Phone: (218) 755-2772 e-mail jtesch@bemidjistate.edu Record at BSU: 78-51 (13th season) Career Record: 78-51 (13th season) Assistants: Rich Jahner Ass’t HC/Co-DC/S Brent Bolte Co-DC/LB Eric Medberry OC/QB Dr. Ken Traxler DT Damian Droessler WR Darren Nelson DB Bryan Stoffel RB Jere Kubuske DB J.T. Mathy DL
Athletic Media Relations
Director: Brad Folkestad (Bemidji State ‘01) Office: (218) 755-4603 Home: (218) 444-7450 Cell: (218) 308-1115 e-mail: bfolkestad@bemidjistate.edu Assistant: Troy Berneking (UM-Crookston ‘04) Office: (218) 755-2763 e-mail: tberneking@bemidjistate.edu GA: Cedrique Flemming (Kansas St.‘07) e-mail: cflemming@bemidjistate.edu SID Phone: (218) 755-2763 SID Fax: (218) 755-3898 Football Press Box: (218) 755-3705 Web site: www.bemidjistate.edu/athletics Mailing Address: Bemidji State University #29 1500 Birchmont Drive NE Bemidji, MN 56601
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Bemidji State Football 2008 season outlook
Jeremy Gettel, Senior, Fullback
Derek Edholm, Sophomore, Quarterback
Brandon Miles, Sophomore, Running Back
The 2008 Season
Offense
Beavers’ first conference championship in more than 40 years. He completed 73-of-142 pass attempts for 787 yards and eight touchdowns for an efficiency rating of 102.47. According to Tesch, Williams is another viable option at quarterback and will challenge Edholm every step of the way.
Unproven, uncertain and unfamiliar are three words that could be used to describe the 2008 football season at Bemidji State. After graduating over 20 at the conclusion of the 2007 campaign, BSU welcomes back just 31 letterwinners, which includes eight regular starters. The 2008 squad is made up of over 70-percent underclassmen. Despite being young, Head Coach Jeff Tesch likes the talent on the roster and is optimistic about what 2008 holds for the Beavers. “I think we have a young, exciting team that has a chance to do a lot of good things this season,” Tesch commented. “I think if we are good, we are going to be good for a lot of years because of all the young players.” He went on to say, “I feel like we are as good as we have ever been. It’s just too early to say what the success we’ll have this season because these players haven’t been tested on the field.” The unproven roster will look to a senior class of 11 to lead it into its first run through the newly expanded conference. Facing unfamiliar teams and newly formed divisions, they’ll have to find a new road to a championship. Some look at this year’s roster with skepticism, but there is no doubt that there will be twists and turns along the way that the BSU faithful will find exciting. New players will get their chance to step up and begin to leave their legacies at BSU, new rivalries will be ignited and old ones will be rekindled, and the Beavers will push for their 10th consecutive wining season. BSU also looks to challenge for the first ever Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Northern Division Championship and begins the season just five wins shy of the program’s 300th victory. So buckle up, grab a roster and follow the Beavers into uncertainty. It’s sure to be an exciting ride.
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Tesch often refers to his 2008 team as talented but untested, especially on offense. The Beavers’ roster features just three players who were regular starters in 2007. BSU lost four of five offensive linemen to graduation including the whole left side which included five All-NSIC selections, two Daktonics All-Region awards and a pair of Don Hansen Football Gazette Preseason All-America honors. In addition, the Beavers lost their all-time leading receiver in Anthony Schreiber while two-year starting quarterback Cory Wardrope left the team at the conclusion of the season.
Tesch said, “The old adage is that the most important player is your back up quarterback. We aren’t sure who the back up will be, but we feel like we have two good solid quarterbacks.”
Quarterbacks at a glance
Despite the losses, the Beavers have averaged more than 30 points per game over the last five seasons, and if history is any indication, they’ll find a way to score.
Front Runners
Quarterback Bemidji State looks to have its fourth different opening-day starting quarterback in the last four years when it begins its 2008 campaign with sophomore Derek Edholm on top of the depth chart.
Connor Sathre
Edholm, who played in five games last season including one start, has been patiently waiting for his shot at leading the BSU offense. In five games as a reserve in 2007, he completed 13of-32 pass attempts with four interceptions. He has yet to record a collegiate touchdown pass, but Tesch is optimistic about letting him loose. “We are really excited about giving Derek a chance to play. He has a lot of athletic ability, has played in big games at the high school level and the team is behind him. Tesch added, “He, like a lot of other players, just hasn’t had the chance to prove himself yet.” Josh Williams also makes a return to BSU to challenge for the starting quarterback spot. Williams spent the first six games of the 2005 season under center for the Beavers. He led BSU to four wins laying the foundation for the
Derek Edholm Josh Williams
Contender
So. Sr.
6-0 6-0
172 220
Fr-SH
6-1
209
Running Back Running back may be the deepest offensive position for BSU in 2008. The Beavers return their top two ball-carriers from last fall in Erick Newman and Brandon Miles while the team may get its 2006 leading-rusher, Eurise Watson, back from injury. After a 2007 campaign during which he carried the ball 151 times for nearly 600 yards and six touchdowns, Newman may have an edge to start in the Beavers’ backfield to open his senior season. But Miles will make it tough on Tesch and his staff to keep him off the field. The sophomore came on strong as 2007 came to a close, earning a pair of starts in the Beavers final three games. In those opportunities, Miles ran for 325 yards with a pair of touchdown plunges. According to Tesch, Watson looks to be a week-by-week decision. Although he is running and sprinting after undergoing major knee surgery nearly a year ago, it is uncertain when he will return.
2008 Beaver Football
Bemidji State Football 2008 season outlook
George Kadlec, Senior, Wide Receiver
Running backs at a glance Front Runners
Erick Newman Brandon Miles Eurise Watson
Contenders
Mike Brown Zach Wold
Sr. So. Jr.
5-10 5-10 5-10
200 190 210
Fr-RS Fr-RS
5-11 6-0
195 184
Nathan Mahlik, Senior, Offensive Tackle
Bryan Wick, Junior, Defensive Tackle
“Entering my 13th year at BSU, I would say this is the most talented group of receivers that we have had here,” said Tesch. “We have had some great individual players in Jason Leden, Ryan Welle and Anthony Schreiber, but as far as four good receivers, this is easily the best receiving corps we have had.”
Gettel has played the role of the unsung hero well during his life. A veteran of the Iraq War, he missed the entire 2006 season due to serving the United States oversees but returned a year ago to clear a lane for the BSU running attack.
Receivers at a glance Front Runners
Receivers With the Beavers’ top receiving target from each of the last three seasons gone, BSU will look to the veteran hands of senior George Kadlec and sophomore Andrew Schultz to lead the receiving corps. Kadlec finished 2007 fourth on the Beavers’ receiving charts with 14 receptions, but his 17.9 yards per catch and four touchdown receptions show his knack for the big play. During his career he has just 34 receptions but of those, 12 have gone for touchdowns leaving his teammates and coaches saying, “all he does is catch touchdowns.” Schultz burst onto the scene in 2007 as a redshirt freshman. He immediately became a favorite target of BSU quarterbacks catching 17 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns and stands out as one of the better blocking receivers to play recently at BSU. Redshirt freshmen Justin Lee and Cameron Abrams look to have a handle on the two slot receiver positions. Although both are young and lack game experience, they possess the speed and explosiveness to make a huge impact as receivers. Also looking to vie for time at receiver are Sam Larson, Adam Berg, Tyler Chappelle and true freshman Jody Henningson. More than any other position, Tesch sees wide receiver as the most talented group on the roster.
2008 Beaver Football
George Kadlec Andrew Schultz Cameron Abrams Justin Lee
Contenders
Adam Berg Sam Larson Keith Smith Korey Smith
Sr. So. Fr-RS Fr-RS
6-2 6-1 5-8 5-9
190 180 179 184
So. Sr. Jr. Jr.
6-2 6-2 6-3 6-3
180 185 210 210
“We feel we have one of the better blockers in the league in Jeremy Gettel who is a very experienced player.” Tesch added, “Redshirt freshman Nate Solors may be as athletic a fullback as we have had. He has showed that he can run, catch and be a pretty good blocker.
Fullbacks at a glance Front Runners Jeremy Gettel Nate Solors
Contenders
Mike Brown Matt Anderson
Tight End Due to the loss of John Larson and Dan Nagengast, Tesch candidly down played the probability of using tight end formations in 2008. But a lot depends on the play of two young players, sophomore Tony Svare and true freshman Brian Leonhardt. The coaching staff is high on their potential, but commented the it may take some time for them to be ready to play.
Tight Ends at a glance Front Runners
Tony Svare Brian Leonhardt
So. Fr.-HS
6-1 6-6
230 215
Fullback With a young offensive line, more emphasis will be put on the fullback position. Senior Jeremy Gettel looks to have an edge on gaining the starting position in 2008.
Sr. Fr-RS
5-10 5-7
244 220
Fr-RS Fr-RS
5-11 5-9
195 215
Offensive Line The offensive line was one of the positions hit the hardest by graduation in 2007. Despite losing Justin Guy, John Keaveny and Chase Pearson--staples of the BSU offensive line in recent years--the team is confident in 6-6, 310pound senior Nathan Mahlik, who has started each of the last 23 games at right tackle. Fellow senior Dan Roscoe, who has seen his share of action at three of the five offensive line positions during his career, looks to start opposite Mahlik at left tackle. At guard, Chad Whaley, Devin Rosenow and Aaron Alexander figure to be at the top of the depth chart entering camp. Whaley got some experience last year filling in for injured players, while Rosenow and Alexander are junior college transfers and look to contribute immediately as juniors.
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Bemidji State Football 2008 season outlook
Tiger Ellison, Junior, Cornerback
BSU looks to the tandem of Cory Immerman and Chris Parrish to fill the void at center. Immerman is a redshirt freshman who looks to be the heir apparent to Pearson, while Parrish, a junior, has been around the program and is intent on cracking the BSU line up.
Jordan Lardinois looks to have the other defensive end spot locked up. Lardinois saw limited time as a reserve during his redshirt freshman campaign totaling 12 tackles, making 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Junior Brian Wick will get a shot to plug up the middle of the defense at defensive tackle. In nine games a year ago, Wick collected eight tackles including 3.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks.
Offensive Line at a glance Front Runners
Nathan Mahlik Chad Whaley Cory Immerman Devin Rosenow Dan Roscoe
Contenders
Chris Parrish Aaron Alexander
Sr. So. Fr-RS Jr-TR Sr.
6-6 6-3 5-11 6-3 6-4
310 279 267 315 335
Jr. Jr-TR
6-0 6-2
322 285
Others who look to get on the field are Rob Wills and redshirt freshman Eric Zingleman. “I would say the defensive line is a lot like the offensive line,” said Tesch. “They may have a bit more playing experience, but these guys have been waiting for their shot to play and we are really looking for them to blossom this year.
Defensive Line at a glance Front Runners
Defense
The 2007 Gang Green defense again led the league in rushing defense holding opponents to a meager 71.5 yards per game while its 17.2 points allowed per game was a league low. The loss of two of its top tacklers of all time in Jeremiah Johnson and Zach Christ, two of BSU’s alltime top tacklers, leaves a big hole in the Beavers’. Also the defensive line will start fresh, as 2007 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year Zach Stafford and All-NSIC picks Robert Molstad and Seth Iverson, who all finished their careers in the top ten on BSU’s all-time sacks and tackles for loss lists, graduated in 2007. Defensive Line Consistent with the offensive line, the Beavers defensive front was decimated by graduation leaving all three line positions open. Senior Kyle McMartin, who got three starts in 2007 and played in all 11 contests, is a favorite for one of the defensive end positions. McMartin racked up 18 tackles in 2007 while posting 5.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks. Sophomore
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Paul Potemra, Sophomore, Kicker/Punter
Jake Anderson, Junior, Linebacker
Kyle McMartin Bryan Wick Jordan Lardinois
Contenders
Rob Wills Eric Zingleman
Sr. Jr. So.
6-2 6-4 6-3
245 240 240
So. Fr-RS
6-4 6-1
239 258
Linebackers Tesch and his staff feel comfortable with the 2008 linebacking corps. Despite being young and inexperienced, Tesch said it may be the deepest position in 2008. Tesch commented, “Just like I said about our receivers, we think depth-wise, this is the best group of linebackers we have ever had here.” The group will be led by Jake Anderson. In nine games last season, Anderson piled up 68 tackles with 13 coming for a loss, including 1.5 quarterback sacks. Anderson also led the team with four fumble recoveries and a forced fumble while his six pass break-ups ranked second on the team. Anderson also recorded a touchdown in 2007, returning his only interception of the sea-
son 37 yards for six points. Sophomore Andrew Eagan also figures to be in the mix at the linebacker position. In a stellar redshirt freshman campaign, he totaled 40 tackles and an interception playing in 10 games with five starts. Senior Josh Karch, junior college transfer, Gary Miller and redshirt freshman George PercakDennet will compete for the final two starting linebacker spots. Karch started three of the six games he saw time in last fall and posted 15 tackles. Miller is a transfer form Mendocino Community College. No stranger to BSU, Miller’s brother is former Beaver Michael Nordyke. David Olson headlines a group of other players that could work their way into the defensive line-up. Olson, a Junior College All-American, comes to BSU from Rochester Community College, and is someone Tesch thinks has as much ability as anyone BSU has recruited.
Linebackers at a glance Front Runners
Jake Anderson Andrew Eagan Josh Karch Gary Miller
Jr. So. Sr. Jr-TR
6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2
220 231 225 235
George Percak-Dennet Fr-RS David Olson Jr-TR
6-2 6-3
218 235
Contenders
Defensive Backs Senior Terrell Phelps will anchor one of the cornerback positions after starting each of the Beavers’ outings a year ago. In 11 games, he totaled 38 tackles, an interception and six pass break-ups. He also covered a fumble and forced another. In Tesch’s words, “he just keeps getting better and better each year.” Junior Tiger Ellison has a handle on the sec-
2008 Beaver Football
Bemidji State Football 2008 season outlook
2008 Bemidji State Schedule
Date Opponent Time Series Last Meeting Aug. 28 at Minot (N.D.) Statea 7:00 p.m. BSU, 8-1 Sept. 8, 2007 in Bemidji (W, 31-7) Sept. 6 • Minnesota State 1:00 p.m. MSU, 26-14-2 Sept. 10, 2005 in Bemidji (W, 28-23) Sept. 13 • at Winona State 1:00 p.m. WSU, 41-27-1 Oct. 20, 2007 in Winona, Minn. (L, 35-24) Sept. 20 • at MSU Moorheadb 1:00 p.m. MSUM, 42-30-3 Sept. 15, 2007 in Bemidji (W, 27-3) Sept. 27 • Northern Statec 1:00 p.m. NSU, 16-14-1 Sept. 30, 2006 at Aberdeen, S.D. (W, 25-22) Oct. 4 • at St. Cloud State 1:00 p.m. SCSU, 31-17-3 Nov. 7, 1981 in St. Cloud (L, 28-10) Oct. 11 • at Wayne State (Neb.) 1:00 p.m. Tied, 7-7 Oct. 13, 2007 in Bemidji (L, 24-21) Oct. 18 • Minnesota, Crookstond 1:00 p.m. BSU, 14-1 Sept. 22, 2007 in Crookston, Minn. (W, 47-9) Oct. 25 • at Minnesota Duluth 1:00 p.m. UMD, 36-10-1 Sept. 1, 2007 in Duluth, Minn. (L, 31-14) Nov. 3 • U-Mary 1:00 p.m. UM, 2-0 Oct. 6, 2007 in Bismarck, N.D. (L, 10-7) Nov. 10 • Concordia-St. Paule 1:00 p.m. CSP, 5-4 Nov. 3, 2007 in Bemidji (W, 47-21) bold= home game at BSU’s Chet Anderson Stadium / •- Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game a- Beaver Bash / b- Battle for the Axe / c- Homecoming / d- Hubcap Game / e- Senior Day
ond corner spot after posting 20 stops in nine games as a reserve in 2007.
Safeties at a glance Front Runners
Defensive backs at a glance
Jason Kunz Dusty Sluzewicz
Front Runners
Contenders
Terrell Phelps Tiger Ellison
Contenders
Spencer Wagner Sid Johnson
Sr. Jr.
5-9 5-7
170 170
Jr. So.
5-8 5-7
155 165
Aaron Roland Kyle Nohre
Sr. Fr-RS
5-11 5-10
201 180
So. Fr-RS
6-0 5-11
185 185
Safeties Jason Kunz, one of a handful of seniors on the 2008 defensive unit, has a lock on one of the Beavers’ starting safety positions. Kunz became one of BSU’s top defensive players in 2007. He saw time in all 11 games making starts in nine. In addition to his 40 tackles, he had an interception and three pass break-ups. He returns second only to Jake Anderson in tackles. Newcomer, redshirt freshman Dusty Sluzewicz is a favorite to take over the second safety spot to begin 2008. “Talent-wise, this is another of those groups that has unlimited potential.” Tesch added, “You are counting on a redshirt freshman to come in and do some special things, but between our corners and safeties, we are really excited about the ways these guys can play.”
Dept Chart
P Paul Potemra So. Jesse Sundby Fr-RS K Paul Potemra So. Jesse Sundby Fr-RS H Adam Berg So. Derek Edholm So. LS Jordan Lardinois Jr. KR Tiger Ellison Jr. Justin Lee Fr-RS PR Tiger Ellison Jr. Cameron Abrams Fr-RS
5-11 5-7 5-11 5-7 6-2 6-0 6-3 5-7 5-9 5-7 5-8
170 204 170 204 180 172 240 170 184 170 179
Special Teams
The Beavers have finished atop NSIC return charts in each of the last three seasons, leaving special teams as one of the strengths of the team. Entering the 2008 season, expectations are nothing different. The return of First-Team All-NSIC and AllRegion kicker/punter Paul Potemra will allow the Beavers to play the field position game and give them another option for points on offense. Potemra burst onto the scene as a true freshman to set several BSU kicking and punting records. His 71 points on 30 field goals and 41-of-41 PATs was a single-season best at BSU while his season-long average of 40.5 yards per punt was tops at BSU since Danny Kraus kicked for an average of 41.3 in 1984-55. “It’s nice to have the all-conference and all-region caliber kicker/punter out there,” said Tesch.
2008 Beaver Football
Tesch will look to a handful of play makers including Tiger Ellison, Justin Lee and Cameron Abram to handle return duties. Tesch thinks all three have game-breaking capabilities, but just like so many of the Beavers this season, they just have not had a chance to prove it.
Schedule Special Teams at a glance
Spencer Wagner, a junior, and sophomore Sid Johnson also look to be in the mix in the defensive secondary. Johnson saw his playing time increase as the 2007 campaign went on while Wagner capped the season with the best performance of his career picking off an errant Upper Iowa pass and returning it 31 yards for a touchdown in the final game of the 2007 season.
“Potemra is a guy we have a lot of confidence in. We may be able to try some of those 40-45-yard field goals this year and he certainly has the ability to pin an offense way back there.”
The 2008 slate is as tough as it gets. The Beavers have challenging road games facing Minnesota Duluth, Winona State and Wayne State, teams which account for three of the Beavers’ four losses in 2007. BSU will also battle NSIC newcomers St. Cloud State and Minnesota State. With the addition of Augustana College, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State and St. Cloud State to the NSIC in 2008, the 14-team league will be split into Northern and Southern Divisions. Each team will play its division rivals along with a yearly meeting with a natural rival hailing from the other division, Concordia-St. Paul in BSU’s case, and three additional games versus teams from the opposing division. The Northern Division will be comprised of BSU, U-Mary, Minnesota, Crookston, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State-Moorhead, Northern State and St. Cloud State while Augustana, ConcordiaSt. Paul, Minnesota State, Southwest Minnesota State, Upper Iowa, Wayne State and Winona State will call the Southern Division home. A Northern and Southern Divisional Champion will be crowned at the conclusion of the season based on each teams’ play within their own division. An overall NSIC Champion will also be awarded to the team with the best conference record. Tesch commented, “The bottom line is that there is a North Champion and a South Champion and we still have the Mineral Water Bowl game and the NCAA Playoffs to play for and with the addition of the new teams the NSIC will be very competitive nationally.”
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