Pigskin Preview 2011 - College by NPG Newspapers

d Pigskin Preview 2011 section

Friday, August 26, 2011

College football

Benedictine • Northwest • Western • Kansas • Kansas State • Missouri

Moving forward, looking back Adam Dorrel ascends to head coach position at Northwest amid historic, tragic circumstances

see page D2

Partridges, quarterback and coach, embark on unique football journey see page D3

Take an early look at Western, Northwest’s MIAA competition see pages D4-D5

Benedictine, much like fellow HAAC members, searching for new QB see page D7

Pigskin Preview 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

MATT REID/St. Joseph News-Press

From left to right: Northwest Missouri State secondary coach Ken Gordon, linebackers coach Chad Bostwick, defensive coordinator Rich Wright, head coach Adam Dorrel, offensive coordinator Charlie Flohr and wide receivers coach Joel Osborn. Each of the Bearcats’ six full-time coaches occupies a different role than last season.

don’t forget; move ahead

Retirement, tragedy force Northwest to come together as staff, team By SAM ROBINSON I St. Joseph News-Press

ARYVILLE, Mo. — Evaluations occupy a sizable portion of Adam Dorrel’s time. Northwest Missouri State lost 14 starters off last year’s team, and dozens of players are in contention for jobs this season. Dorrel gauges the talent on video from the Bearcats’ spring workouts but a certain frame on the screen freezes him. Scott Bostwick walks into the shot, and the painful memories return.

“You don’t mean to, but there’s things that just fire back into your head,” said Dorrel, Northwest’s first-year head coach. “That’s gonna be hard. You’re gonna see that all year because we’ll go back and revisit that stuff.” The 36-year-old Dorrel sits in the corner office at Lamkin Activity Center as a result of the 49-yearold Bostwick’s stunning June 5 death. The Maryville native never thought he’d be here; it was always Bostwick’s job once Hall of Fame coach Mel Tjeerdsma retired, and Bostwick lived his dream for less than six months. Maryville’s outpouring of support — from countless calls, messages and cards and more than 2,000 supporters attending the Scott

Bostwick Celebration of Life at Bearcat Stadium — did more than reaffirm Dorrel’s faith in Bearcat Nation. “It’s strengthened my resolve and my belief in Northwest Missouri State as a community and as a football program,” Dorrel said. “I’m more passionate about this place than I’ve ever been.” ) ) ) The loss of two head coaches in six months rocked the Northwest foundation like nothing else since it became a Division II dynasty under Tjeerdsma’s guidance. From 2007-10, the coaching staff, which consists of six full-timers, remained unchanged. Northwest went 51-7 (36-0 MIAA), appeared in

At last, it’s Christopher’s chance By SAM ROBINSON St. Joseph News-Press

Blake Christopher and Scott Bostwick were going to be forever linked. The quarterback waited four years to step into the limelight, his coach 17 times around the calendar. They would enter as the centerpieces of Northwest Missouri State football in 2011 — one hoping to lead a proven offensive battery; the other given the keys to a Division II juggernaut. Their brief partnership ended tragically on June 5 after Bostwick’s heart attack and shocking death. What’s left for Christopher is proving his former coach was right. “We built a great bond through that spring,” Christopher said. “He was extremely excited for me being (in) my first year as a starter, finally getting out there and being able to prove myself. We were both kind of starting off at the same time.” The fifth-year senior from Kearney, Mo., steps in after throwing just 45 collegiate passes, replacing program passing leader Blake Bolles. Most of Christopher’s playing time under center came in Northwest blowouts during the 2009 national championship season. Northwest first-year coach Adam Dorrel recruited the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Christopher for his leadership and dual-threat capabilities. He was the third-string tailback at one point last season when injuries ravaged the Bearcat backfield. In the spring, Christopher’s playbook seasoning helped give him the edge. “He threw a ridiculously low amount of interceptions (in spring practice), and we chart everything,” Dorrel said. “He took his strengths; he managed the game; he relied on people around him, and he didn’t turn the football over.” Christopher’s ascension into the five-time defending MIAA champions’

FILE PHOTO/St. Joseph News-Press

Northwest Missouri State quarterback Blake Christopher carries in a game last season. The senior will start after four years in the program. lineup could be a simple transition: athleticism abounds around him and proven performers should help him get going in an easier early-season slate. Or it could be daunting: he is the only unproven commodity among them. “It’s the nature of the position, especially playing quarterback at Northwest,” Christopher said. “I can’t remember the last time we didn’t have a successful quarterback. There’s pressure, but luckily, I have great guys around me. I have a ton of playmakers.”

Armed with the entire receiving corps back, Christopher also has junior multipurpose tailback Jordan Simmons, who added 10 pounds for more between-thetackles duty. Dorrel still intends to use him as a receiver on occasion. Northwest (12-2, 9-0 MIAA in 2010) couldn’t hit the gear it’s used to last season and possessed the seventh-best MIAA rushing attack. Dorrel cited the lack of a quality No. 2 back as a reason for the ground game’s regression. The “free-agent signing” of explosive sophomore James Franklin III following Nebraska-Omaha football’s demise should help in that area. Northwest inked several transfers, but longtime Bearcat backups will have their moment, too. Cornerback Caleb Decius, safety Derrick Hightower and middle linebacker Landan Zaputil are starting candidates after years of special teams obscurity, as the defense lost nine starters and most key backups. On paper, the secondary is the weak point with no one back, but Dorrel is either a sandbagging specialist or on the verge of panic about the unit he coaches. “Right now, that’s our biggest weakness without question,” he said of the offensive line. “Continuity, we’re not great there. They’ve got work to do. I’m questioning the leadership a little bit.” Three-year starter Cody Johnson and Rod Williams are the only returning starters. Johnson, a senior right guard, is the last holdover from the 2009 national-title line. Northwest’s defense, which Bostwick coordinated for nearly two decades, set the standard during this historic era under longtime coach Mel Tjeerdsma, who retired in December seemingly handing the program over Please see BEARcATS/Page D

four straight national semifinals and won a third national championship in that span. “Probably the most important thing is we were able to maintain our staff,” Tjeerdsma said. “The consistency of the staff had as much to do with (the recent dominance) as anything.” Northwest followed the same blueprint after Tjeerdsma retired in December, promoting coaches and filling positions with ex-Bearcats. Chad Bostwick was hired as linebackers coach after his older brother’s death despite having accepted a job at Central Missouri earlier this year. The staff knows the program Please see DORREL/Page D

Soy, entire receiving corps back for Bearcats The Bearcats return 4 starting receivers — 3 from in-house, 1 from NebraskaOmaha. Of the group, 3 have at least 2 years as a starter or extensive contributor. NO. 1 TARgET — senior flanker Jake Soy Jake Soy, the MIAA’s single-season receiving yardage (1,559) and touchdown (27) leader. 3rd season as starter. Junior season — 83 receptions, 1,311 yards, 12 TDs — didn’t match his transcendent sophomore output, but the Durant, Iowa, native faced double coverage throughout the season. SuPPORTINg cAST: junior slot Tyler Shaw, junior split end Brian Miller, junior split end John Hinchey Shaw, a 6-time all-American hurdler, has been the No. 1 slot since his career began in 2009. Shaw’s underclassman career concluded with 77 receptions, 1,249 yards and 11 TDs. Doesn’t have the size of his wideout cohorts, but brings vital speed to the position. Miller, a 2-year starter at UNO, led Mavericks wideouts in receptions, yards and TDs in his 2 years in Omaha. Kansas City native’s career-best game came in 2009 when he caught 8 passes for 161 yards against the eventual national champions in Maryville. Hinchey started every game opposite Soy last season and, in mostly a decoy role, caught 26 passes for 274 yards. WILD cARDS: Bryce Young (freshman slot; Chillicothe, Mo.) Taylor Pierce (senior split end; Wentzville, Mo.), David Mosley (senior split end; Wayne State ((Mich.)) University), clint utter (sophomore flanker; Ottumwa, Iowa) — SAM ROBINSON

Pigskin Preview 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

partridges’ time arrives

matt reiD/St. Joseph News-Press

Missouri Western coach Jerry Partridge, right, watches sophomore quarterback Travis Partridge during Monday’s practice. Travis Partridge, the 15th-year coach’s son, assumes the Griffons’ starting quarterback position this year.

Growing up around Griffons prepares coach’s son for unique opportunity By SAM ROBINSON I St. Joseph News-Press

erry and Travis Partridge have been playing this game for a while. Only now the stakes are higher and the spotlight brighter.

“A lot of people have come up to me and said, ‘Travis is quarterback? Is he gonna be able to handle the pressure?’” Missouri Western junior running back Michael Hill said.

Griffons sign Zuerlein, bolster special teams The Griffons finished tops in the nation in kickoff-return yards last season, and bring back both returners. Western also lured an all-American kicker to campus and its shifty punt returner is healthy after a torn greg zuerlein ACL free-agent prize — greg zuerlein, allAmerican senior kicker Zuerlein smashed an astonishing 91 touchbacks from 2007-09 at Nebraska-Omaha. The Griffons’ previous strong-legged kicker, Brad Beckwith, had 22 in 4 years. Western had 6 last season. Venturing into the double digits will greatly assist the Griffons’ defense, providing NFL-style 80-yard fields for offenses. The Lincoln, Neb., native connected on 17 of 23 field goals as a junior. returning fleet — junior wideout tarrell Downing, junior wideout t.J. fannin, sophomore slot tyron Crockum Downing’s 30.6 yards-per-return average topped the MIAA by 4 yards and was 4th in Division II. Fannin’s 100-yard kickoff return score against Fort Hays State helped key the Griffons’ rout that ultimately pushed them into the playoffs for the second time. Western’s 26.4-yard average paced Division II. Crockum was set to be Western’s punt returner before tearing his ACL in April 2010, but he’s healthy now and will join his receiving mates back deep. Setup men (top blockers) — Safety Shane Simpson, cornerback Jeremy Weston, linebacker Dan ritter, linebacker Wallace Carter — SAM ROBINSON

A lot of Division II football players have no image of their team prior to suiting up; there isn’t an instilled tradition in most cases. They’re often preoccupied with the Division I allure, which can alleviate the game-day pressure when something called Pittsburg State appears across the field. Travis Partridge didn’t have much of a choice. As the son of St. Joseph’s highest-profile football coach, the reputations of Northwest Missouri State or Pitt are not foreign. “There’s just a lot of things that are added, combined for him,” said Jerry, who enters his 15th season as Western’s head coach. “A lot of kids grow up and they watch Big 12 football every Saturday. Travis

grew up rooting for the Griffons. He understands who Pittsburg State is. There’s an added thing, ‘Oh, I’m playing Pitt.’ Where some kids are like, ‘Who’s this? Pittsburg State? That’s just another team.’” Although lining up against Pitt State will be. Travis, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound sophomore, steps to the Western forefront after nearly a lifetime visualizing it. He’s been known as Jerry’s son since his athletic career began and will start for his father’s team against Pitt State for the first time in less than a week. “It’s been a dream for a long time,” Travis said. “I was talking with (defensive coordinator Regi) Trotter the other day. When he was playing here, I was a little kid

running around, messing with people in the locker room.” If debuting in the MIAA as an underclassman for his father’s team didn’t stack enough pressure on Travis, he also succeeds the most successful quarterback in program history. Drew Newhart left with the program record for career passing yards (10,691, second in MIAA history) and guided the Griffons into the playoffs for only the second time in school history. “Newhart was a great, great quarterback here,” sophomore slot receiver Tyron Crockum said. “This is Travis’ first year to shine. ... If a quarterback’s not confident, we’re all not gonna be confident. Please see traViS/page D

Pumped-up D-line powers Griffons By SAM ROBINSON St. Joseph News-Press

Missouri Western’s defensive line committed to a lifestyle change this offseason, one they believe will transform them from good to great. The group’s metamorphosis is noticeable on the roster and upon studying the trench battle in practice. “Last year, they were all kind of skinny fast. They were strong, but at the same time, they were labeled as the ‘Slim D-line,’” junior running back Michael Hill said. The goal: change that perception and create a formidable run-stopping foursome to accompany their athleticism. Each of Western’s top six defensive linemen embraced the coaching staff’s weight-gain task, and four enter the 2011 season with vastly inflated figures next to their names on the game-day program. Senior Oliver Pryor enters camp at 303 pounds, more than 50 pounds up from his 2010 playing weight. Junior starting nose guard John Brown (310), junior defensive end Ben Pister (268) and sophomore defensive tackle Austin Baska (270) also added at least 35 pounds. Defensive line coach Wes Bell sat down with each lineman and outlined a target weight for each season for the rest of his career, and the coaching staff instituted breakfast checks. The team began taking post-workout protein shakes as well while weight-gainers weren’t exposed to as much morning cardio work. Despite making its second playoff appearance, Western (8-4, 6-3 MIAA in 2010) finished last in MIAA rush defense by 13 yards, allowing 178.4 per game and 4.8 per carry. “They played hard and were pretty athletic and really good at pass rush, but we struggled against teams that wanted

file photo/St. Joseph News-Press

Western defensive lineman David Bass, left, sheds Mesa State blocker Trevor Stapp and chases down quarterback Robert Felberg in Western’s first game last season. Bass, a preseason all-American, leads the new-look Western defensive line. The Griffons advanced to the playoffs for the second time last season. to line up and maul us,” Bell said. “We didn’t have the size or strength to hold in there against some of those big MIAA O-lines.” The Griffons’ preseason all-American sack specialist, 6-foot-5 junior David Bass, even added more than 10 pounds to his 265-pound frame. Bass’ eight sacks despite dealing with turf toe put him among the conference’s best front-line stalwarts, and he leads perhaps the Griffons’ top position group as Western attempts back-to-back playoff berths for the first time in history. During spring agility drills, Bell noticed sluggishness as his group grew accustomed to their new statures but saw gradual improvement. “The bigger you are, the more weight you can carry, the more you can push

people around and get where you need to go,” Bass said. “It’s a plus and a minus. If I put on too much weight too fast, obviously, I’ll probably lose some speed. I’m trying to gradually do that so I can keep my speed. I know for a fact I’m a lot quicker.” The front four carries the hopes of a defense, which ranked second in points allowed despite the run-stopping issues, that returns six starters. Offensively, the Griffons return nearly every skill-position threat. They return three players up front, but the offensive line’s play fluctuated throughout 2010. They were dominant in September when Western led the nation in scoring, ravaged for much of October, including an Please see griffonS/page D

Pigskin Preview 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

Mid-aMeriCa interCollegiate atHletiCs assoCiation ConFerenCe Capsules Central Missouri gg 2010 Record: 11-3 (8-1 MIAA, 2nd) gg MIAA Preseason Rank: 3rd, coaches; 3rd, media gg Last Playoff Appearance: 2010, quarterfinal loss to Northwest Missouri State gg 2011 Outlook: The Mules return 14 starters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 5 offense, 9 defense â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including 2 preseason all-Americans in offensive lineman Logan Freeman and kicker Aaron Jameison, who made 15 field goals and 63 PATs last year. gg Summary: The Mules had only 2 Division II losses last year, both to Northwest Missouri State, including a game that decided the MIAA Championship. Central lost Harlon Hill-winning quarterback Eric Czerniewski, along with offensive stalwarts Anthony Stewart, DeMarco Cosby and Jamorris Warren. The latter two signed NFL contracts with the Rams and Panthers, respectively. Defensive back Marlon Douglas, a 1st-team All-MIAA selection, returns. The senior had 4 interceptions and 52 tackles. Senior defensive lineman Deonte McDonald, an honorable mention All-MIAA selection, returns after notching 4 sacks and 44 tackles. gg Coach Speak: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The players are excited about the challenges of replacing some outstanding players and the new heights reached by the team a year ago,â&#x20AC;? coach Jim Svoboda said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a team, we are bigger, faster, stronger and deeper then a year ago, so we have high expectations.â&#x20AC;?

recorded their most wins under Garin Higgins, who enters his 6th year at the helm. Emporia was 4-1 at home, but lost its last 4 games of the season. Eckenrodeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top target was junior Shjuan Richardson, who averaged 19.9 yards per catch and had 5 touchdowns last year. The offensive line returns 3 starters, including seniors Ben McKaig and Jordan Godberson, both honorable mention selections last year. Senior linebacker Matt Rosenhamer had 59 tackles last year, the high among the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8 returning defenders. The Hornets lost AP All-American Daniel Webb to graduation. gg Coach Speak: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal is to get to the postseason,â&#x20AC;? Higgins said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had the opportunity to do that, and we came one game away last year. Realistically, we have a chance to get it done. It will be tough and challenging, but the expectations are high and our players are putting in the work. They did the things they need to do to prepare to have a successful 2011 season.â&#x20AC;?

Fort Hays state gg 2010 Record: 3-8 (1-8 MIAA, 10th) gg MIAA Preseason Rank: 9th, coaches; 9th, media gg Last Playoff Appearance: 1995 gg 2011 Outlook: Fort Hays returns 12 starters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 4 on offense and 8 on defense â&#x20AC;&#x201D; led by Alex Whitehill â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the only player returning that earned All-MIAA accolades last year. Whitehill was 2nd in the MIAA with 114 tackles, 12th nationally. gg Summary: The Tigers hired former Washburn defensive coordinator Chris Brown as their head coach, replacing Kevin Verdugo. Anthony Smith will be a key weapon for the offense after missing last year due to injury. Smith played tailback and quarterback in the past but will return to wide receiver, where he was an honorable mention MIAA pick in 2009. Fort Hays lost O.J. Murdock (Titans) and Cordoral Scales from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s receiving corps, while quarterback Mike Garrison is also gone following a season where he passed for 3,513 yards and 25 touchdowns. Whitehill was a preseason allAmerican by the Consensus Draft Services.

eMporia state gg 2010 Record: 5-6 (3-6 MIAA, tie 6th) gg MIAA Preseason Rank: 7th, coaches; 6th, media gg Last Playoff Appearance: 2003 gg 2011 Outlook: The Hornets return 17 starters, all of whom are juniors or seniors. The offense returns 9, including junior quarterback Tyler Eckenrode, who passed for 12 touchdowns and 1,158 yards in 8 games last year. Junior defensive back Derek Lohmann â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 40 tackles, 5 interceptions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; headlines the 8 on defense. gg Summary: The Hornets

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gg Coach Speak: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This first year, we want to see the kids come together as a team,â&#x20AC;? Brown said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We got to gel and see improvements each week. That is a big thing.â&#x20AC;?

linColn gg 2010 Record: 2-9 (First year in MIAA since 1988) gg MIAA Preseason Rank: 10th, coaches; 10th, media gg Last Playoff Appearance: 1958 gg 2011 Outlook: The Tigers return seven starters, including 4 on offense. The offense returns senior tailback Nick Daniels, who ran for 516 yards and 4 touchdowns last year. Junior defensive back Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hara Fluellen, who notched 11 interceptions the past 2 years, headlines the returning starters on defense. gg Summary: The Tigers will be guided by new coach Mike Jones, who is most famous for this game-saving tackle on Kevin Dyson to help the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV. The first year back in the league the Tigers could struggle. Only 42 veteran players were at the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spring game, but the 1st day of fall practice, they had 116 players. Sophomore Deon Brock scored 3 of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5 touchdowns in the spring game and will likely start after seeing limited action last year. Fluellen was an honorable mention all-American by Consensus Draft Services. The Florida native had 5 interceptions last year and returned 3 for touchdowns. The Tigers will be guided by quarterback Robert Redmond, a redshirt freshman from Memphis. gg Coach Speak: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did some scouting. ... Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tough conference,â&#x20AC;? Jones said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will have to line up every week and play the best of the best. This is the best conference in Division II football.â&#x20AC;? Missouri soutHern gg 2010 Record: 4-7 (2-7 MIAA, tie 8th) gg MIAA Preseason Rank: 6th, coaches; 7th, media gg Last Playoff Appearance: 1993 gg 2011 Outlook: The Lions return 13 starters, including Associated Press Little All-America defensive tackle Brandon Williams. The junior had 9 sacks, 17 tackles for

loss and 50 tackles last season. The offense returns 8 starters, including preseason all-American senior center Ian Saxton, a Benton graduate, and 2 All-MIAA performers in juniors Cornell Gedward (RB) and Landon Zerkel (WR). gg Summary: Senior Collin Howard is the undisputed starter this year after sharing time with Roland Thompson last year. Howard passed for 2,196 yards and 11 touchdowns, while running for 244 yards and 6 TDs last year. Gedward led the team in rushing with 848 yards, but was 3rd on the team with 3 rushing touchdowns. Zerkel, a high school teammate of Howard, led the team with 5 touchdown receptions and had 759 yards receiving. Junior Neâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ronte Threatt was a standout in receiving (763 yards, 4 touchdowns) and kick returning (24.8 yards per return average) and was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick. The defense also returns defensive end Kenny Smith, the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top returning tackler. gg Coach Speak: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal is to get out of the bottom half of the league, get some quality wins and challenge for the playoffs,â&#x20AC;? Bart Tatum said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again we arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t talking about a bowl game, we are talking about playoffs. We want in the postseason; I think we can do that.â&#x20AC;?

pittsburg state gg 2010 Record: 6-6 (3-6 MIAA, tie for 6th) gg MIAA Preseason Rank: 5th, coaches; 5th, media gg Last Playoff Appearance: 2008 gg 2011 Outlook: The Gorillas return 17 starters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 9 on offense, 8 on defense â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from a team that won the Mineral Water Bowl last year. The defense returns Nate Dreiling, a second-team all-MIAA performer who was a second-team Associated Press Little All-American last season after leading the MIAA and Division II with 160 tackles. gg Summary: The Gorillas defeated Concordia-St. Paul, 13-9, in the Mineral Water Bowl. The last Division II playoff game for the Gorillas was in 2008 under former coach Chuck Broyles. Tim Beck, in his 2nd year at the helm, has 2 Lindyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preseason all-Americans on the defensive side of

OPPONENT Pittsburg State Central Missouri Langston Washburn Missouri Southern State Lincoln Emporia Truman State Southwest Baptist Northwest Missouri State Fort Hays State

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the ball in Dreiling and junior safety Chas Smith â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a Pittsburg native â&#x20AC;&#x201D; had 99 tackles last year. Dual-threat quarterback Zac Dickey, who originally signed with Oklahoma State, returns for his senior year. Dickey, another high-schooler who stayed in town, passed for 992 yards and ran for 901 yards last year as a junior. The Gorillas return senior Spencer Worthington and junior Gus Toca to the defensive line, where both were All-MIAA honorable mention selections. gg Coach Speak: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zac is a good runner, and he can carry the ball well. But the passing game is where we need to improve,â&#x20AC;? Beck said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The skill guys will help him a tremendous amount. We are more skilled on offense, good skill that maybe we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have last year.â&#x20AC;?

truMan state gg 2010 Record: 4-7 (2-7 MIAA, tie for 8th) gg MIAA Preseason Rank: 8th, coaches; 8th, media gg Last Playoff Appearance: 1994 gg 2011 Outlook: The Bulldogs return 12 starters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 5 on offense, 7 on defense â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including Michael Elliott, a 2-time all-MIAA selection. The senior defensive back had 91 tackles and 3 interceptions last year. gg Summary: Truman enters fall camp will the quarterback spot still up in the air as Kearney product Conrad Schottel and Division I-FCS transfer J.B. Clark â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 37 touchdowns at Lehigh (Pa.) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are battling for the job. The team returns sophomore wide receiver Dallas Grier, who had 3 touchdowns and 548 yards as a true freshman and was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick. Grier is one of 5 Bulldogs who earned honorable mention accolades. Senior linebacker Adam Reynolds led the team with 9Â˝ sacks last year, while defensive back Tremaine Millender had 61 tackles and returned a kickoff for a 96-yard score in what proved to be the final game NebraskaOmaha played. gg Coach Speak: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The natural assumption is teams like us, Emporia, Hays, Southern are ready to take the next step, but that is a foolish assumption,â&#x20AC;? coach Gregg Nesbitt said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to

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s become competitive and relevant in the MIAA again, and at 4-7 we were to some degree. We had two games we lost: 17-14 to Pitt and 62-61 to Nebraska-Omaha. We win both of those, and we have a shot at the Mineral Water Bowl.â&#x20AC;?

Washburn gg 2010 Record: 8-4 (6-3 MIAA, tie 3rd) gg MIAA Preseason Rank: 2nd, coaches; 2nd, media gg Last Playoff Appearance: 2005 gg 2011 Outlook: The Ichabods return 17 starters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 8 on offense and 9 on defense â&#x20AC;&#x201D; led by preseason all-American Dane Simoneau, who passed for a school-record 3,459 yards and 33 touchdowns last year. gg Summary: The Ichabods won their last 4 games and whipped Midwewstern State to win the Kanza Bowl last year, the first postseason berth since 2005. Coach Craig Schurig has led Washburn to 8 or more wins in 5 of his 9 years at the helm. Washburn returns left tackle Brian Folkerts, a 1st-team All-MIAA pick who has started 26 games, on offense, while the defense returns all-confernece selections at linebacker in Marty Pfannenstiel (second team) and linebacker Jahmil Taylor (honorable mention). Taylor, a junior, and Pfannenstiel, a senior, led the team with 91 tackles. Pfannensteil and senior linebacker Michael Hollins shared the team lead with 3 1/2 sacks in 2010. The Ichabods lost Associated Press Little All-Americans in kicker Steve Ivanisevic and wide receiver Joe Hastings â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in camp with the 49ers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to graduation. Washburn will be hurt by the loss of Vershon Moore, a junior, who led the MIAA in rushing last year. Moore was arrested the first week of practice on multiple felonies in Topeka, Kan., and was removed from the roster. All-American cornerback Pierre Desir also left the team and is looking to transfer to future MIAA school Lindenwood to be closer to home. gg Coach Speak: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the kids are excited (about the preseason ranking),â&#x20AC;? Schurig said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Northwest has dominated the conference for so long. I think the media looked at what we have back and our key seniors, and I think we are deserving in the spot. But it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean anything. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where you finish. I think our guys have the confidence in ourselves, but we have work to do to achieve the goals we want to.â&#x20AC;?

Travis Partridge accustomed to critics CONTINUED FROM Page D3 In my eyes and all the playmakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; eyes, we think heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s looking good.â&#x20AC;? Travis having to justify his place is not new. Growing up during the early years of the Jerry Partridge era at Western, peers questioned his legitimacy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; whether he was simply a beneficiary of his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think a lot of people felt like he got advantages growing up as my son,â&#x20AC;? Jerry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He got advantages because, generally, he had a dad that worked with him all the time. He also had a disadvantage of I was really, really hard on him. He had to face the pressures of kids saying those stupid things. He fought through it, and it made him more mentally tough.â&#x20AC;? Those occasional quandaries did not deter Travis from spending Saturdays at Spratt Stadium. Quarterback Kasey Waterman and wide receiver Jerris Evans were his favorite players, and Watermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No. 12 now hangs in Travisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; locker. Travis would awake at 7 a.m. after his father would ask whether or not he wanted to join him at two-a-day practices and on occasion would spend nights in hotels with the team in his younger years. After years of up-close exposure to it, Division II football â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an afterthought or backup plan for many â&#x20AC;&#x201D; became a goal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got an appreciation for when I was little just watching the guys and envisioning myself in their shoes,â&#x20AC;? Travis Partridge said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really looked up to some of the players.â&#x20AC;? Jerry coached his son in little league baseball and youth basketball â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but never football â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and watched him operate as mostly a running quarterback at Savannah High School. He admitted it was difficult not to meddle in the Savagesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; game plans, although Travis said his father usually supplied a few postgame notes. But Jerry knew his son had the ability to play for him when the time came. In 2008, Mark Cole arrived at Savannah and overhauled the offense from a wing-T with long dropbacks to a veer-option system heavy on play-action and quick passes. It was his quarterbackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adaptation that won him over. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He understood the game of football so well that it was easy for him to learn our system, and he bought into it,â&#x20AC;? Cole said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to break any bad habits. All I had to do was teach how to run our stuff,

JESSICA STEwART/St. Joseph News-Press

Missouri Western sophomore Travis Partridge drops back during a quarterback drill in fall practice. and he excelled.â&#x20AC;? Aside from some junior college baseball interest, there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much Travis Partridge football recruitment. He said if he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go Division I, his name would appear in his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2009 recruiting class. Jerry was also booked on most fall Saturdays, meaning if his son went to another school, his father would miss out on his career. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think a lot of folks stayed away from him because they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think there was any way (they could pry him from Western),â&#x20AC;? Jerry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a few friends at (Division I-FCS) that talked a little bit about this. I told him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Travis, we could probably go to one of these places, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m never gonna get to watch you play.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gonna get to unless he plays here.â&#x20AC;? This spot would prove challenging for most underclassman signal-callers, regardless of last name. Northwest elilminated Western 28-24 in the first round last year, leaving the Griffons still searching for their first playoff win. Travis steps in to lead that nucleus, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be the youngest player in the starting huddle. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempted only 23 collegiate passes, although this is his third year in offensive coordinator Tyler Fenwickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

spread-based system. Jerry said he tried to recruit quarterbacks in the past to help bridge the age gap between Newhart and his backup â&#x20AC;&#x201D; three years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but seeing Newhart, who will remain at Western as a part-time assistant coach, and then his oldest child on the depth chart doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t paint an easy path to the starting lineup. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was very difficult to get kids here for a while because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got Drew Newhart then you got the guy thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the coachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son, and they see him,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Quarterbacks) want to know â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;When am I gonna get to be the starter?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; They picture that stuff. And quarterbacksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dads are notorious for picturing that stuff.â&#x20AC;? They no longer live in the same house â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Travis lives on campus â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but they still have a non-football rapport, although the Griffonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; quarterback said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more coachplayer and less father-son come fall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like we still have a good relationship,â&#x20AC;? Travis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just got to take the stuff said on the field separately from whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s said at home. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the biggest challenge.â&#x20AC;? Jerry agrees and hopes their relationship isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t strained by any struggles this season. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also aware of the fine conflict-of-interest line he might have to walk. Western hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had a quarterback controversy since 2006, but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aware he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t show favoritism should the situation arise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most people would say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t base decisions where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re favoring him,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Jerry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By the same token, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make decisions where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hurting him because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my son either. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been very patient with quarterbacks down through the years. We let them get themselves going before we ever hook them.â&#x20AC;? Three of the MIAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top four teams have rookie quarterbacks, although none will be under this sort of microscope. Travis is not the most talented player in the Griffonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offense, but his position and circumstances will make him the center of attention this season. Very few college athletes have this chance: to lead their fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team, one thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already left a sizable imprint on his life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we handle this right and I do what I need to do on the field, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gonna be a really unique and special opportunity,â&#x20AC;? Travis said. Sam Robinson can be reached at sam.robinson@newspressnow.com

Bearcats driven by legacies as new era dawns CONTINUED FROM Page D2 to Bostwick. In each of the past five conference-championship campaigns, no MIAA unit has allowed fewer points per game. Northwest returns just eight starters from 2010, the fewest of any season since the national quarterfinal streak began in 2004. That 17-13 semifinal loss to the eventual national

champions ended the Bearcatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unprecedented run of Florence, Ala., appearances at five straight. It was also the last time the band would be together. Tjeerdsma and his right-hand man wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be on the sidelines this season. Their longtime protege Dorrel will hope to guide his alma mater down a similar path. But the new-look Bearcats believe theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not just

playing for Adam Dorrel this year, but also for his predecessorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; legacies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of a unique situation when you can play for three coaches, for their memory,â&#x20AC;? senior defensive tackle Josh Lorenson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want everything Coach Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s built here to be forgotten; you sure donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want coach Bostwick and what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s built here to be forgotten. We want to kind of

dedicate this season (to him) and really all of the seasons after this heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be a part of. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all care about coach Dorrel; we want him to have a good first season. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really a cool and hard position to be in at the same time because I feel like we get to play for a lot.â&#x20AC;? Sam Robinson can be reached at sam.robinson@newspressnow.com

2011 NWMSU Bearcat Football Schedule 2011

DATE

OPPONENT

Sept. 1 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24

Truman State* Kirksville, MO 7:30 p.m. Sioux Falls Bearcat Stadium 6 p.m. Lincoln* Jefferson City, Mo. 2 p.m. Fort Hays State* (Family Weekend) Bearcat Stadium 1 p.m. Pittsburg State* (Fall Classic X at Arrowhead) Kansas City, MO 2 p.m. Central Missouri* Warrensburg, MO 1:30 p.m. Eastern New Mexico Bearcat Stadium 1 p.m. Washburn* (Homecoming) Bearcat Stadium 2 p.m. Missouri Southern* Joplin, MO 2 p.m.

Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oc Oct. 29

LOCATION

TIME

DATE

OPPONENT

Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19

Missouri Western* St. Joseph, MO 1:30 p.m. Emporia State* Bearcat Stadium 1 p.m. NCAA Playoffs - First Round TBA TBA NCAA Playoffs - Second Round TBA TBA NCAA Playoffs - Quarterfinals TBA TBA NCAA Playoffs - Semifinals TBA TBA NCAA Playoffs - Championship Florence, Ala. TBA

Nov. 26 Dec. 3 Dec. 10 Dec. 17

LOCATION

* = MIAA Competition

The Premier Center for Sports Medicine in Northwest Missouri

Walk-in Sports Injury Clinic Monday thru Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 2016 South Main Street Maryville, MO 660.562.7999 www.stfrancismaryville.com A Service of St. Francis Family Health Care

Maryville Florists

! "

TIME

Pigskin Preview 2011

northwest Scouting report

Quarterback

Blake Christopher is a solid scrambler as he showed in the spring game. In 2009 mop-up duty, he completed 25-of-36 passes for 336 yards and 3 TDs, but he slumped in the windy spring game (10-for-19, 119 yards, TD). Backup Trevor Adams (Odessa, Texas), the likely quarterback of the future, has a good arm but isn’t as mobile as Christopher. He completed 50 percent of his passes with 2 INTs sprinkled in during the spring game.

running back

Behind starter Jordan Simmons will be an interesting carry competition. James Franklin III (766 yards, 10 TDs as true freshman) brings the speed, Billy Creason (team-best 6.6 yards per carry before breaking his fibula) the power. Northwest coach Adam Dorrel said if all 3 are productive, he’d find time for all 3 but indicated he’d prefer a 3-man committee where the 3rd player doesn’t receive many carries. Junior Ricky Hicks, another power threat, could be a sleeper here, but he’s coming off a season-ending injury.

Wide receiver

Northwest prefers to line up with at least 3 receivers — often 4 — as it’s made the transition from the Xavier Omon-style power attack to the pistol spread look. This year, the cast is back — Jake Soy, Tyler Shaw, John Hinchey — and Brian Miller joins. But the Bearcats enter with more depth. Dorrel is high on Chillicothe alum Bryce Young, who led all receivers with 56 yards on 5 catches in the spring game, and he is probably 1st in line behind the top 4. Shaw and Hinchey’s targets dropped as a result of tight end Josh Baker’s midseason surge last year.

tight end

Kyle Kilgore enters his 3rd year as the Bearcats’ starter here, but he’s spent a large portion of his career under the radar. Kilgore quietly posted a 19/270/1 season while Baker bulldozed defenders. 6-foot6 JUCO transfer Jon Gregg (Monterey Peninsula, Calif.) should help replace Baker. Gregg looked solid over the middle on pass routes, but ex-basketball player’s blocking ability remains uncertain. Junior Vincent Defeo should fill in behind them.

Offensive Line

Right guard Cody Johnson is all that remains from the national championship line. He was 1 of 2 linemen to start at 1 position in every game. The other 3 spots were in flux due to injury or ineffectiveness. Junior Rod Williams will move to left tackle — his 3rd position since last September. Reshirt freshman Cole Chevalier won the starting center job in spring practice. Dorrel mentioned sophomore ex-Maverick Jon Becklun’s name 1st when asked about transfers. Sophomores Cole Dafft and C.J. Keeney, who started in the playoffs, received 1st-team practice reps. Shot putter John Petroff will also compete at tackle.

defensive Line

Considering how much Northwest lost on defense, the D-line was relatively spared. 3 starters are gone, but the Bearcats return 2 key backups to team with preseason all-American defensive tackle Josh Lorenson (78 tackles, 4th on the team). Both key reserves last year — 510, 280-pound senior DT Aaron Terry, one of the late Scott Bostwick’s two nephews on the team, and athletic junior Matt Meinert — will start. The other end spot is open. Travis Chappelear (Missouri State), Ricky Bailey and Willie Dyson are the competitors. Top backup end Gary Ewart left the team earlier this year.

Linebackers

3-year starter Chad Kilgore is the only returner, but he’s probably Northwest’s best defensive player. The Orrick, Mo., native was an all-American at weak-side backer last season, finishing with 131 tackles. Junior 235-pound Landan Zaputil (20 stops) won the middle linebacker spot in spring. He registered 20 tackles as a sophomore. Matt Massey led all players with 7 spring-game stops and is battling back-from-injury D.J. Gnader for the strongside backer spot. Chris Morales (6 1/2 sacks in two years as a Delaware DE) could be a wild-card here despite a late entrance.

cOrnerbacks

Ryan Jones’ and Justin Welch’s departures created a massive playing-time scrum and experience void. Texas A&M-Kingsville transfer Derrick Thomas (19 pass breakups in 2 years) is the only seasoned DB here. Senior Caleb Decius and vertical-leap phenom Travis Manning lead the way among the holdovers while freshman Tim Martinez saw reps in camp.

safeties

Safety play was up and down last year, but fresh faces take over. Captain Derrick Hightower brings leadership but hasn’t played much. Transfer Jordan Sklba has the most upside at 215 pounds with sub-22-second 200-meter speed. Murray State considered moving him to linebacker. Nate DeJong, Clarke Snodgrass and 25-year-old Kansas State transfer Antoine Chillers round out the main group.

speciaL teams

The Bearcats’ core returns here. Simmons (11th in Division II with 15.3 yards per return), who was a preseason allAmerican, and Shaw are back. Junior kicker Todd Adolf (6-for-10 FGs) is in competition with true freshman Kyle Goodburn at punter. — sam robinson

Dorrel: Expectations should not change CONTINUED FROM Page D2 and how it was built, but none of the six coaches is in the same position as last season. Dorrel and his coordinators — Rich Wright (defense) and Charlie Flohr (offense) — have presided over the same positions since Northwest’s MIAA Conference-championship streak started in 2006, instituting some stability in this uncertain period. But without Tjeerdsma and Bostwick, both had been in Maryville since 1994, the younger staff’s responsibilities expanded. Flohr will reside in the press box while Dorrel moves to the sideline and will attempt the play-caller/head coach double. “You can’t go and say, ‘Well, Mel used to do it this way,’” Dorrel said. “He’s not here. ... There’s always been some non-verbal communication around here because people had always been in place so long. “The comfort level is also very important. Obviously that’s gone. I can’t control that. What we have to do is communicate until we get back to that level.” ) ) ) The preseason prognosticators aren’t questioning Northwest despite the sweeping changes on the field and sideline. MIAA coaches and media picked the Bearcats first for the fifth straight season, likely due in part to a conference-record 46game league win streak entering the season. The AFCA slotted them third in the initial national rankings. “That’s Northwest Missouri State; that’s college football,” Dorrel said. “The expectations should be that here. I would be disappointed if they weren’t.” Northwest lost standouts at the four vital spots — quarterback, left tackle, defensive end and cornerback — but has recently made Florence, Ala., trips with similar roster turnover. “Northwest has lost some really good people in this last year — players and coaches — but Northwest has kind of become tradition,” senior defensive tackle Josh Lorenson said. ) ) ) Tjeerdsma and his assistants laid the groundwork for what Dorrel’s staff has. Despite the 0-11 debut in 1994 and the notion quality recruits wouldn’t want to live in Maryville and help build a program, the Bearcats were MIAA champions two years later. After the national titles in 1998 and 1999, recruiting interest skyrocketed as championships yielded national exposure and facility improvement — remodeled grandstands, Fieldturf installation and a beefed-up locker room among others. But the recent run — five straight national championship appearances from 2005-2009 — stretched the pipeline considerably and drew interest from a higher caliber of athlete. “So many kids we’ve gotten in the last number of years were borderline Division I recruits,” Tjeerdsma said. “They weren’t quite what the Division I schools were looking for, but they were close. When that option isn’t there, there’s the option of going to a program that’s won multiple national championships, all kinds of conference championships and plays on ESPN regularly.” Dorrel, a walk-on turned all-American offensive lineman at Northwest, summarized the athleticism surge more succinctly. “Hell, I wouldn’t have played a snap,” he said. “It’s changed that much.” Jordan Simmons first identified Northwest from its 2006 ESPN2 appearance against Grand Valley State. His backfield mate James Franklin III mentioned the Bearcats’ annual Kansas City showcase against Pittsburg State as a prime selling point. “You have a chance to play at Arrowhead (Stadium),” Franklin said. “How many

eight-sack game from then-lastplace Missouri Southern, and its resurgence laid the groundwork for the playoff push. However, both running backs — Hill and graduated Thomas Hodges — saw their rushing totals dip in 2010, and Western’s 3.4 yards per rush was last in the MIAA. In spring practice, coach Jerry Partridge observed a menacing defensive front but an offense that advanced the chains as well. “Was our D-line really, really good or was our O-line bad?” he said. “That being said, our Dline looked like they had their way with the O-line, but there was never a scrimmage or a team setting where our offense did not move the ball. “They’ve got to be a little tougher and punch a little harder.” July marked a year of operation in the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex, which allowed Western to accelerate the recovery from November’s crushing first-round collapse to rival Northwest

western Scouting report

Quarterback

Travis Partridge succeeds spread-offense prodigy Drew Newhart this year. The inexperienced sophomore possesses a strong arm and despite carrying roughly 30 more pounds than Newhart, poses a stronger running threat. His accuracy is his biggest tool question going in. Behind him are freshmen Cale Grauer and Jerryn Walton, who were far behind Travis Partridge in spring ball. A darkhorse backup quarterback candidate comes from the receiving corps, as speedy 4th-year sophomore Tyron Crockum was twice a 2,000 passing yards/20 TD passes guy at Pasadena (Calif.) High School.

FILE PHOTO/St. Joseph News-Press

Northwest Missouri State coach Adam Dorrel looks on during a 2007 practice. This is Dorrel’s eighth season as a full-time coach at his alma mater. people can say that?” The current staff’s task: keep the Bearcat brand elite. Although doing this without their Nebraska recruiter and the Hall of Fame architect will be different. “Scott was just a go-getter,” Dorrel said. “Those are things the general football fan didn’t give him enough credit for: his ability to recruit Lincoln, Omaha, Nebraska, western Iowa. ... Mel could close. Mel got into your home, and it was done. It was like having Santa Claus sitting in your living room. Their (departures) are gonna be significant from that aspect.” Northwest kept nearly all of its recruits from signing day amidst the tragedy but did lose highly touted tailback Jaalen Watkins (Little Rock, Ark.) and a glamorous transfer — verbally committed linebacker Marcus Dowtin from Georgia. For his first recruiting class, Dorrel identified selling points in the obvious success and a full-time strength coach (Joe Quinlin) on staff. But his No. 1 pitch to future players is the current success stories. “The best part about our program is our kids,” he said. “When we recruit other student-athletes, we put our kids front and center. I can sit there and talk, but mom and dad, they’re gonna look; they’re gonna listen. They (have to) take away that we have good kids.” ) ) ) Their coach’s death shoved ugly life truths and perspective in the players’ faces. The wounds are healing, but the Bearcats don’t want to forget their impact. If a silver lining could emerge from heartbreak, they had little choice but to bond as they prepare to play football again. “Obviously, we’d trade it all for everything to be back how it was, but I think it’s really brought the team closer together,” Lorenson said. “Usually the position groups are pretty close, but this is the kind of stuff that even if you’re not that social, you’re gonna get brought in.” The staff will attempt to carry out their fallen friend’s agenda. But they’re also eager to show they have the ability to meet the championship expectations now that the program’s perennial sideline bastions are gone. “We’ve all been chomping at the bit to get this thing going,” Wright said. “Coach Bostwick assembled all these guys for a reason. He felt like each of us brought something unique to the table and that we were gonna be able to move forward and take this program to new heights. “That’s what we expect to do.” Sam Robinson can be reached at sam.robinson@newspressnow.com

Griffons busy in GISC-fueled offseason CONTINUED FROM Page D3

Friday, August 26, 2011

Missouri State. Throughout the offseason, the all-weather facility allowed the 2011 nucleus to hone ball skills they never could in the past and potentially outwork the competition. “Between our Mineral Water Bowl game and spring ball (last winter), I didn’t catch one ball,” Hill said. “This year, we got in the week after Northwest and were in there (doing) 7-on-7 pretty much every day.” Hill and Bass said the 28-24 loss to Northwest stung and took time to move past, but it didn’t shape the offseason. They were part of a playoff team years in the making. Now equipped with an eight-figure training dome, one of the conference’s steadiest squads knows it can return. “I didn’t weep over it very long,” Bass said. “But I did use that as motivation just the way I played. Now I want to better myself. ... We know what we’re capable of doing, so I think our expectations are gonna be very high.” Sam Robinson can be reached at sam.robinson@newspressnow.com

Indian Infiltration 4 Central alums to start for Western Michael hill Junior running back g Notes — Totaled 1,496 rushing yards in 2 years toM Madget Senior outside linebacker g Notes — 3-year starter, 159 career tackles Ben Pister Junior defensive end g Notes — High-motor player had 4 1/2 sacks despite starting just 4 games. JereMy weston Junior cornerback g Notes — Special teams dynamo transitions to full-time defense. Blocked 3 kicks last year — sam robinson

running back

Compact junior Michael Hill (5-11, 205) will be the Griffons’ primary tailback after splitting reps with 4-year mainstay Thomas Hodges for 2 years. Hill has the skill set to be an all-conference back, a powerful slasher who can run away from 2nd-level defenders. His numbers dipped slightly last season — 172 carries, 704 yards, 3 TDs — though. It won’t be a total monopoly, however, as Western returns sophomore Dalton Krysa, the program’s single-game TD record holder after his 207 rushing-yard, 5-score half against Lincoln last year. Diminutive but slick Dominic Thomas (5-8, 175) may see a few carries.

Wide receiver

Offensively, this is by far Western’s deepest area. Senior Adam Clausen, junior Tarrell Downing, junior T.J. Fannin and Crockum head the corps. Clausen, a 6-4, 225-pound 3rd-year starter, has the possession pedigree — 90 career receptions — while the other 3 are speed targets. Crockum snatched 41 passes for 505 yards as a 4th receiver in 2009, and Downing, who will play inside and outside, will vie for playing time. Fannin — 31 receptions, 429 yards, 2 TDs — had a big offseason and rocketed up the depth chart and will start outside. Kyle Knox, JUCO transfer Brandon Wright and 5-7 freshman Derek Libby are the 2nd-teamers.

tight end

The Griffons will go with a blocking/receiving tandem in this spot with 3rd-year starter David Fowler and sophomore newcomer Reggie Jordan as the key players. Western didn’t call Fowler’s number many times — 17/175/2 — but he was reliable when thrown to and remains the best blocker at the position. Jordan pushed Fowler for the position in the spring despite playing in just 4 games as a freshman.

Offensive Line

Colt Schulte moved from left guard to tackle. Right tackle Macon Allan came into his own late last year after stifling top MIAA pass rusher Daniel Webb (Emporia State). Junior Kyle Hoyt, 250 pounds, started at center in the spring game but will be tested by transfer Michael Yardley, a 6-2, 285pound junior center from Nebraska-Omaha. Junior Nick Clark started at left guard in the spring game. Brian Chiles is back at right guard. Junior Jeremy Jacobsen will factor into the competition as well.

defensive Line

David Bass (14 1/2 career sacks) may be the best D-end in the conference — a speed-rush nightmare. Austin Baska unseated Sean Tray Bryson (21 tackles last year) at 3-technique. Oliver Pryor and Baska combined for 33 tackles and 3 sacks in their first Griffon seasons. Would-be senior defensive end Matt Speaks, who started 8 games last season, tore his ACL on Day 1 of spring ball, and will miss the season.

Linebacker

Depth chart takes a huge experience hit here. First-team All-MIAAer Sean Whiters, a 3-year starter, and fellow 3-year man Deondre Williams leave big schemeknowledge gaps. But the Griffons will still start 3 seniors — Tom Madget and 1st-timers Cody Kremer and Nic Burrell. Kremer and Burrell are special teams lifers with minimal line-of-scrimmage reps, but sport more athleticism than their predecessors. Junior Wallace Carter will be the immediate backup to Kremer and Burrell, who had 30 combined stops in 2010.

cOrnerback

Both cornerbacks — Ian Thompson and Kendall Davis — depart from a secondary that helped Western pace the MIAA with 22 interceptions. Jeremy Weston and Ben Jackson, who started a few games in 2009, are the starters. Marcus Thompson is probably the most athletic of the main foursome but has the least experience. Isaac Collins, a senior from Savannah, is the best tackler in the group but nagging hamstring issues continue to sideline him.

safeties

Backing them up is probably the conference’s top returning safety tandem. 2010 1st-teamer Jack Long led Western with 75 tackles last season with partner Shane Simpson (68), a junior. Having Simpson and Long back will help the young corners’ progress. Sophomore Nick Anderson looks to be the primary backup to both spots.

speciaL teams

Should Greg Zuerlein heal from his 2010 hip injury, kicker receives a big upgrade. Punter remains a question mark, but that’s about the only thing here that does. Griffon baseball player and former Australian Rules footballer Scott Groner and John Schmiemeier are the punter candidates. — sam robinson

Pigskin Preview 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

Benedictine coLLege | New-look HAAC features big helping of new signal-callers

Ravens not alone in QB battle

By Phil Ervin St. Joseph News-Press

ATCHISON, Kan. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Fran Johnson has experience in this department. Benedictineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s young offensive coordinator had to earn the Ravensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; starting quarterback job over a handful of other candidates in 2002. Nine years later, along with Benedictineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other offensive coaches, Johnson finds himself on the flip side of a decision that could make or break a football season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being a quarterback, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little different monster,â&#x20AC;? said Johnson, who called plays last fall as the quarterbacks coach. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You want to be able to see a guy that can handle stressful situations. How does he lead the team? Does he keep composure? All those intangibles go into the equation along with his performance on the field.â&#x20AC;? In deliberating whether Billy Noonan, Josh Hoeft or Wyatt Jiru will succeed four-year starter Ryan Kelly, the Ravens staff faces a task similar to several of its Heart of America Athletic Conference counterparts. Of the nine other HAAC teams, only MidAmerica Nazarene, Baker and Central Methodist return their starting quarterback from 2010. In a season already marked by change with new addition Peru State and two former members now in NCAA Division II, fresh faces behind center will be a primary story in fall camps around the Heart. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Probably more significant quarterback changes this year than in a while,â&#x20AC;? Benedictine coach Larry Wilcox said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to know weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not the only one who has that scenario right now.â&#x20AC;? Missouri Valley, Avila, CulverStockton, Graceland, Peru State and Benedictine all bid farewell to a senior quarterback after last season. The NAIA preseason No. 10 Vikings may have suffered the biggest loss in Chris White. The four-year starter passed for more than 1,900 yards last year, leading Missouri Valley to an 8-2 record and within inches of an NAIA playoff berth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any time you lose a four-year starter, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough,â&#x20AC;? Vikings coach Paul Troth said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to

Logan Jackson/Atchison Globe

Benedictine senior Wyatt Jiru is one of three quarterbacks vying for the Ravensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; starting job. have to step back and start with step one and go to step two, whereas in the past with a returning starter you can go a lot faster with your installation and get into your offense and do more things.â&#x20AC;? Redshirt freshman Marcus Brinkley, true freshman Bruce Reyes and Southern Illinois transfer Taylor Beasley are expected to contend for the starting job in Marshall, Mo. At least Troth and Wilcox appear to have only a trio of signal callers to sift through. Second-year Evangel coach Brenton Illum will choose from four quarterbacks with littleto-no collegiate experience after sophomore 2010 starter Richie Roepkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s departure from the team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up in the air,â&#x20AC;? Illum said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It does seem like everybody is dealing with that same quarterback issue.â&#x20AC;? Illum did mention backup Andrew Brimhall and junior college transfer Marcus Beckman as frontrunners coming out of spring ball. First-year head coaches Justin Berna (Avila) and Jeff Duvendeck (Culver-Stockton) will replace senior starting quarterbacks, as will Peru Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Terry Clark. Graceland graduated starter Brandon Charles, but sophomore Brandon Marquez appeared in seven contests last season and threw the same number of passes as his predecessor.

Even league frontrunner MidAmerica Nazarene has a bit of a quarterback controversy in fall camp despite returning one of the NAIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best dual-threat players. After taking the NAIA preseason No. 3 Pioneers to the national semifinals, Sean Ransburg will have to fight tooth-and-nail against Tyler Herl, who led the HAAC in total offense as MidAmericaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s starter in 2009 before taking a year off from the program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sean Ransburg did an outstanding job,â&#x20AC;? said MidAmerica coach Jonathan Quinn, a former NFL quarterback, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really his to lose right now. ... With that being said, Tyler gives you an outstanding guy you can bring in at any moment and know you can through it around, throw it all over the field.â&#x20AC;? For Benedictine, the quarterback who can do the little things will succeed Kelly, the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-time leading passer who committed several key turnovers his junior and senior seasons. Wilcox will have a short time frame to make his determination with the Ravensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; season opener set for Saturday against Concordia (Neb.). Noonan, similar in build and mechanics to Kelly, seemed to be fighting during the spring mainly with shorter, quicker Hoeft, the only current Benedictine quarterback who saw time last fall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not a lot has changed since the spring,â&#x20AC;? Wilcox said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to do a lot of work there really quickly ... to see how thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gonna materialize, not only whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the starter but what is the depth and whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No. 2 should we have a need to go to No. 2, which you have to be ready for every play.â&#x20AC;? No matter who gets the starting nod, the Ravens inexperience at quarterback means simplified schemes and a renewed commitment to the ground game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With having a new quarterback, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to protect them early on and put the bulk of the load on the line and the backs to kind of run the game,â&#x20AC;? Johnson said. Phil Ervin can be reached at npsports@newspressnow.com

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Mizzou has talent, needs good QB play continUed FRoM Page d8 favorites in the Pac-12. Big 12 play begins with a pair of road games, at Oklahoma on Sept. 24 and at Kansas State on Oct. 8. The underrated defense was sixth in the nation in points allowed, blanking Iowa State on the road and Colorado at home and holding Kansas and McNeese State to single digits. Over the past five years, the Big 12 totaled only five shutouts. Only one opponent topped 30 points. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a lot of players back,â&#x20AC;? Pinkel said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can we play at a different level and do well there? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see.â&#x20AC;? Smith was out three games with a broken bone in his leg, and Missouri didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to miss him while ranking among the national leaders with 38 sacks, 7Â˝ from Brad Madison and 5Â˝ from

Jacquies Smith. Madison, a converted offensive lineman out of South Harrison High School, was second-team All-Big 12 even though he started only two games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You go speak at clinics about stuff like that,â&#x20AC;? Pinkel said. Franklin takes over an offense that averaged 30 points and has all the top threats back. Wide receiver T.J. Moe and All-Big 12 tight end Michael Egnew combined for 182 catches and Jerrell Jackson is a returning deep threat, while the trio of Deâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Vion Moore, Henry Josey and Kendial Lawrence scored 17 touchdowns while rushing for 1,376 yards. Pinkel said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s often been asked to compare Franklin with Brad Smith, a more run-oriented quarterback who thrived in the spread offense during the coachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early years at Missouri.

Gill hopes to increase wins continUed FRoM Page d8 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a young team, but you have a lot of hungry people and a lot of people from backgrounds where things might not have always gone their way,â&#x20AC;? Johnson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So now that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great opportunity for them to show up and show who they are and where theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re from. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just glad I have this opportunity with this team, us coming together and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be able to do some things this year.â&#x20AC;? Johnson insists heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the only one whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been hustling â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are plenty of us

busting our tails out there on the field, just out of breath and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t breathe, our chests are hurting,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to pay off in the game, and I just have a better feel because we know the coaches. The tempo has definitely picked up in practice. We are moving a lot faster, so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to help us in the games.â&#x20AC;? Early returns are also positive for Bradley McDougald, who was converted from wide receiver to safety last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always trying to find guys to make plays and so far out of the five practices he has shown up,â&#x20AC;? Gill said.

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Pigskin Preview 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

The University of Missouri football team takes the field prior to a scrimmage earlier this month in Columbia, Mo.

ParKer eshelMan/Associated Press

Missouri | Quarterback the key position for talented Tigers

Tigers look to continue trends By R.B. FALLSTROM

This came before word came this week that the NCAA academically cleared 310pound defensive lineman Sheldon RichCOLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri lost a pair of ardson to play by more than 2½ years after top 10 NFL draft picks in April, one on each committing to the school. side of the ball. Yet both offense and defense Coming off a 10-3 season there’s very appear every bit as strong as last year. little turnover with seven starters back James Franklin was impressive in sev- on a defense that threw two shutouts last eral cameos last season as the backup season and only the quarterback and cento quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who’s ter new on offense. opening the preseason as the JacksonSuccess is ingrained now, too, with 40 ville Jaguars’ starting quarterback. And victories the past four seasons the best even without Aldon Smith, who appears stretch in school history, even if Missouri poised to make an immediate impact with has yet to truly become a national power. the San Francisco 49ers, the Tigers have Coach Gary Pinkel believes his team is plenty of pass-rush threats. ready for the tough round-robin schedule Associated Press

in the reconfigured Big 12 Conference. “I think the league will be as strong or stronger nationally each and every year, and the competition every week, you’d better bring it,” Pinkel said. “You’d better bring everything you’ve got every week. That’s the challenge you have because this is a really, really good conference.” The non-conference schedule looks tough, too. Missouri opens Sept. 3 at home against Miami (Ohio), 10-4 and champions of the Mid-American Conference and favored to win the conference’s East Division this year, and also plays at Arizona State, among the

2011 Missouri schedule Sept. 3 Sept. 9 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26

Miami (Ohio) at Arizona State Western Illinois at Oklahoma at Kansas State Iowa State Oklahoma State at Texas A&M at Baylor Texas Texas Tech at Kansas*

Home games in bold

11 a.m. 9:30 p.m. TBA 7 p.m. TBA TBA TBA 2:30 p.m. TBA TBA TBA 11 a.m.

* in Kansas City

Please see MiZZou/Page D

Kansas | Jayhawks picked to finish 10th in revamped Big 12

Gill hoping for 2nd-year improvement By DOUG TUCKER Associated Press

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Turner Gill is hoping familiarity will breed better football. A ragged and rugged first year saw his Kansas Jayhawks sink to 3-9, getting embarrassed week after week in the Big 12. Now in his second season as head coach of a BCS-level program, Gill’s had time to get to know his new team, community and school. Just as importantly, they know him. “Last year, it was kind of a feelingout process,” senior tight end Tim Biere said. “We didn’t really know how coach Gill was going to react, didn’t know how our position coaches were going to react in certain situations. There were times when we didn’t know what we could get away with doing. Now we know the rules. We know what’s expected of us. We know what’s going to get this team better.” Gill agrees. The former star quarterback at Nebraska, handed a guaranteed fiveyear, $10 million contract by an athletic director

2011 Kansas schedule Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26

McNeese State 6 p.m. Northern Illinois 6 p.m. at Georgia Tech 11:30 a.m. Texas Tech TBA at Oklahoma State TBA Oklahoma TBA Kansas State TBA at Texas TBA at Iowa State TBA Baylor TBA at Texas A&M 2:30 p.m. Missouri* 11 a.m.

Home games in bold

* in Kansas City

(Lew Perkins) who has since been pressured into early retirement, describes himself as more relaxed than last year. “A lot more relaxed. When you have the unknown, you have a lot more anxiety, a little bit more tension,” Gill said. “I feel less tension in the room with our

staff. I think that’s a huge thing in being able to move on. I see that in our players. They know what the expectation is and what I’ve laid out for them.” Gill is also encouraged by the increased speed that a big freshman class has injected into the program, addressing one of the first concerns Gill raised after taking over for the fired Mark Mangino. “We have gotten faster, and now we’ve just got to continue to fine-tune some things and making sure we stay together,” he said. With only 15 seniors, the Jayhawks figure to be one of the youngest teams in the Big 12. By Gill’s estimate, at least eight or nine freshmen could see significant playing time. Linebacker Steven Johnson, who has come in for lavish praise from coaches, will be the key for the defense. “Steven Johnson really has shown some good physical play, running well from sideline to sideline, doing a lot of good things, showing good leadership,” Gill said of the 6-1, 235-pounder. “He’s come on strong.” As one of the Jayhawks’ few seniors, Johnson will also be counted on for leadership. Please see Gill/Page D

Kansas state | Snyder trying to return team to old form

Influx of transfers may yield more wins for Wildcats By DAVE SKRETTA Associated Press

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The best player on Kansas State’s roster spent last season on the scout team. It’s possible that the second-best player did, too. Linebacker Arthur Brown and his brother, running back Bryce Brown, were among the most highly touted high school prospects ever to emerge from Wichita, Kan. Arthur initially went to Miami and Bryce choose Tennessee, but both decided to return closer to home, and were forced to sit out a year under NCAA transfer guidelines.

Now, after terrorizing the Wildcats’ first team during practices a year ago, the Brown brothers will be looked upon to continue the rebuilding project that coach Bill Snyder inherited three years ago. “It was a long season,” said the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Arthur, who was able to work out with the team during the week but then had to watch on game day as Kansas State went 7-5 during a resurgent regular season. The Wildcats knocked off Texas late in the year and returned to a bowl game for the first time since 2006. “It has been crazy. It’s been a rollercoaster ride,” added

Bryce Brown, a year younger than his brother. “There’s been a lot of ups and a lot of downs, but that is what’s made me. Any decision I’ve made — any bad one I’ve learned from it, and any good one I’ve learned from it as well.” The typically reserved Snyder has been effusive in his praise for Arthur Brown, who had a team-high 14 tackles in the spring game. Brown represents an immediate upgrade at linebacker and should solidify a defense that allowed more than 250 yards rushing in each of its final three games a year ago, including a 36-34 loss to Syracuse in the

Pinstripe Bowl. But that’s also asking a lot of someone who hasn’t played a meaningful snap in nearly two years. Brown appeared in 11 games as a freshman and 13 games as a sophomore but never quite lived up to expectations while he was with the Hurricanes — something that will have to change in Manhattan. “That’s not really where my focus is right now,” said the soft-spoken Arthur, who nonetheless has accepted a leadership role with the Wildcats. “Like I said, I’m just trying to help my teammates be the best they can be.”

2011 Kansas State schedule Sept. 3 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Dec. 3

Eastern Kentucky 6 p.m. Kent State 6 p.m. at Miami TBA Baylor TBA Missouri TBA at Texas Tech TBA at Kansas TBA Oklahoma TBA at Oklahoma St. TBA Texas A&M TBA at Texas TBA Iowa St. 11:30 a.m. Home games in bold