ST. PAUL, Minn. – In his first term leading Concordia-St. Paul football (2000-03), the Golden Bears were known for posting 30-plus point games and running up high yardage totals regularly on Saturday's in the fall.
 
Entering his third year in his second term with the program, Currier and his staff have started moving things in the right direction although more work needs to be done to start flipping the losses into the win column.
 
While they'll play one of the top defenses in the country in the 2018 season opener at #20 Sioux Falls (ranked as high as #18 by D2Football.com), the first week opponent also loses nine of its 11 starters on the defensive side from a year ago.
 
And some key changes on Concordia's offense will await the host Cougars on Thursday, August 30 with a 6 p.m. kickoff at Bob Young Field.
 
"We'll have some wrinkles in the game plan for them," Currier said with a confident grin.
 
The game can be watched online (free) and also features a free live audio stream (KWSN AM 1230 & FM 98.1). The broadcasts can be supplemented with live stats, as well. Keep an eye on all the league scores at the NSIC scoreboard.
 
All Northern Sun games are available to watch via numerous streaming devices: Roku, Amazon FireTV, Apple TV and Android TV. Simply search for NSIC to find the Stretch Internet application to view all contests streamed by league members on your TV, and in high definition (where available).
 
After scoring 172 points and failing to crack 1,000 rushing and 2,000 passing yards in 2015, Currier and the Bears have topped the 210 point mark two years in a row, rushed for over 1,200 yards and passed for over 2,200 yards each in back-to-back seasons.
 
And while the offense has taken a step forward with Currier leading the charge, they had a slight downturn in year two with some of the team totals.
 
"We expect to run the ball more effectively, be more accurate in the short passing game and achieve a higher completion percentage where we need a vast improvement," he said. "But we also want to see more downfield completions. We had some success downfield last year, but we want more opportunities this year. We're going to score more touchdowns and to do it we'll be better in the red zone and goal line situations."
 
For Currier, it's more than just stating his team's goals, too. He also has the awareness to understand what his team's needs are to reach the goals.
 
While on the defensive side, Currier stated that recruiting to the defensive line was among the program's top priorities in the offseason, he had a similar approach on the offensive line.
 
But Concordia football under Shannon Currier also features playmakers, and he found additional weapons in the skill position groups, too.
 
"Not only do we have more experience among the guys we have back in our program, we've also added experienced players to the mix which will help make us more explosive."
 
Each position of the offense, with the exception of tight end, will either add a transfer to the starting lineup or a key two deep position.
 
QUARTERBACK
It starts under center, where Currier has named senior graduate transfer Dom McKinzy (full name Dimonic Rhoden-McKinzy) the starting quarterback in 2018.
 
He's had an interesting path to St. Paul, too. The Kansas City, Missouri native was initially recruited to the University of Minnesota where he redshirted with the Gophers in 2014 before transferring to Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College.
 
After earning his associate of arts degree while playing all 11 games for the Blue Dragons, he found his four year college home at Northeastern State (Okla.) in the Mid-America Athletic Association (MIAA) – one of the top football conferences in Division II.
 
McKinzy was an immediate impact player for the Riverhawks, passing for nearly 2,800 yards and 26 touchdowns to earn All-MIAA honorable mention honors as a junior in 2016. Last year, he topped the 300-yard mark against one of the more storied programs in the country, Pittsburg State.
 
After earning his degree, he opted to spend his final season at Concordia with his wife and their two children while pursuing a master's degree from CSP.
 
"Dom brings a sense of calmness and leadership to the offense. He's composed, doesn't let the highs get too high or the lows get too low. He has a tremendous amount of experience," said Currier. He continued, "What we like about Dom as a player is his accuracy and ability to make big plays with his arm."
 
It was a solid competition for the position, too with junior incumbent Maxon Hutton and junior transfer Jared Olsgaard vying for the role.
 
Hutton was coming into his own as a sophomore in 2017 when his season ended due to injury in week nine at Wayne State. In the game, he had rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown and completed 11-of-17 for 136 and had the Bears poised to make a road comeback win.
 
On the year, Hutton started seven times and passed for 1,009 yards and six touchdowns while adding 234 yards and a score on the ground.
 
"Maxon's performance has been fantastic and we've been proud of his progression. He attacked the summer workout sessions and has been a great leader this fall. He is an explosive football player and a strong runner."
 
Providing depth and another high quality option is junior transfer Jared Olsgaard who redshirted at Alabama A&M in 2017 and was poised to jump into the Bulldogs' starting role before a coaching change. As a junior college player, Olsgaard had a breakout season in 2016 at Minnesota State Community & Technical College in Fergus Falls, earning NJCAA All-Region XIII honors and MCAC Player of the Year honors. He passed for 2,463 yards in eight games (307.9/game) with 24 touchdowns, adding 189 rushing yards and five more touchdowns.
 
"Olsgaard is a proven commodity who is a quality athlete. He can move around and make things happen on the move," said Currier, who sees clear strengths in each of his three veteran quarterback options.
 
The position isn't limited to the upperclassmen, however, with three true freshmen in camp impressing the staff.
 
"We have a good group of young kids in Abe Schwartz, Darion Manning and Thyron Hurst. Darion has looked strong in camp and Thyron is an athletic QB. We're excited about their futures and they will all benefit the program as times goes on."
 
RUNNING BACKS
One of the deeper positions on the roster also needs to see an uptick in production on a consistent basis in 2018. Junior Darnell Rolle had a pair of 100-yard performances and sophomore Shaq Johnson rolled for 175 yards on 17 carries in the 2017 finale win over SMSU, adding a 63-yard touchdown pass as well. And sophomore Lajuan Preston is perhaps the most explosive of the returning trio.
 
The three players are a nice compliment to each other, too, and will provide versatility, depth and fresh legs throughout the season.
 
"Bam-Bam (Rolle) has the abilities to be a complete back. He's physical with some speed around the edge, he can catch and is a four down back. Shaq has tremendous ability and is one of the best playmakers on the team. He's a multiple back and can play receiver, tailback and be lined up all over. LP (Preston) has the speed. He's not the biggest but he's tough. I'd like to think if I had a guy who could surprise it might be him. His best is yet to come."
 
Rolle led the team with 627 yards (4.9 avg) and added 11-75 and a touchdown in the pass game. He had more carries (127) than Johnson (46) and Preston (32) combined in their true freshmen campaigns. Johnson finished with 241 yards and three touchdowns and Preston was 32-132.
 
The program also added three key transfer running backs who will be expected to find roles in the offense and on special teams: Andre Eubanks from Mississippi Valley State, Garrett Gardner from Wyoming and Jeremiah Johnson from Akron.
 
"Eubanks finds the R.E.D. concept: relentless, enthusiasm, desire. He's on a mission every practice and plays with one speed. He can fill a fullback role for us. Gardner and (Jeremiah) Pierce-Johnson are also ready to be in the mix and fill in some key roles."
 
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Golden Bears feel they have one of the top wideouts in the conference, and opponents have taken notice judging by the additional attention secondary schemes have payed to junior Marcus Gustaveson.
 
And the 6-foot, 5-inch and 225 pound target who is also one of the top throwers on the conference track & field scene, provides the strength, physicality and skill to overcome the heavy coverage.
 
"Gus is one of the best in the league. He's a lot more assertive and confident at this point in his career than he was as a true freshman. He was good then, but he's a lot better today. He's going to dominate some games because he's so big and creates mismatches," said Currier.
 
He led the team in catches (43), yards (656), touchdowns (9) and average (15.3). He had a pair of 100-yard games including a late season 10-135 and a touchdown effort despite extra coverage late in the year in week 10 at Augustana. He also had a nine catch, 93 yard and three touchdown effort in week six at Upper Iowa.
 
To help with the extra coverage, the Golden Bears will compliment Gustaveson with junior college transfer MJ Williams from Monterey Peninsula College in California. A 6-foot, 1-inch target, Williams was an All-CCCAA and All-Golden Coast Conference performer in 2016 when he led the league with 960 yards and was second in catches (56) and touchdowns (11).
 
"MJ is a versatile receiver who does it all. He has phenomenal body control and concentration which leads to some spectacular catches. He'll score a lot of touchdowns," Currier said with a smile.
 
The team also brings back senior Jake Tanner, junior Gabe Steed and sophomores Keyon Walters and Jake Shepley.
 
Currier noted, "Gabe is versatile, has experience and we're excited for him to be full speed after coming off an injury. Jake is steady, smart, tough and sure-handed. He works hard and is expecting a big senior year. Keyon has taken a step forward in his production and is a very explosive player and Shepley has matured over the summer, come into camp with a great attitude and shown he's capable of playing at this level."
 
Most of all, Currier explained, "All of our guys can play inside and outside, they are versatile and it makes them more valuable not to be designated to just one spot and allows us to mix up our looks."
 
Although they have six quality wide receivers, five of which are returners with game experience and the other being a seasoned junior college transfer, the Golden Bears are excited about true freshman Dontay Holmes who is expected to be one of just two or three rookies to make the travel roster and potentially see game action in year one.
 
"Dontay is big and explosive, and he has a ton of potential," Currier said while adding that some of the other freshmen receivers have impressed in camp, as well.
 
TIGHT ENDS
Rounding out the skill position is the tight end position where Concordia features three returners and an incoming transfer.
 
"This is one of the best groups of kids we have on this team," Currier noted of the quality of student-athlete at the position. "This position features intelligence, commitment, work ethic and sacrifice."
 
And it starts with senior John Damrow who played in all 11 games last year and saw starts in five contests despite the 2017 Bears rolling out a lot of 2-back or 4-receiver sets throughout the year.
 
"John comes out of training camp in a lot better shape this year and has improved significantly and we expect him to be more active in the pass game this year."
 
Sophomore Brandon Stevenson climbs the depth chart with another year of experience in the program and is ready for the challenge. "Brandon is a steady player with a tremendous work ethic and he cares a lot about his craft," said Currier.
 
Behind them are redshirt freshman Dakota Craig and junior transfer Robel Ezana. Both players provide the offense with big 6-foot, 4-inch frames although Craig is expected to miss significant time with an injury.
 
Currier noted of his tight ends in 2018, "We are expecting to receive more production from our passing game this season."
 
OFFENSIVE LINE
When Currier joined the program in December of 2015, the Bears had four healthy offensive linemen heading into the spring season. They've systemically brought in a number of quality players who have been able to amass playing experience early in their careers and are now poised to work together as a unit in 2018.
 
The staff continues to add talented personnel to the mix, as the group finally features the type of depth and numbers at perhaps the most important position to have depth on a football team.
 
"Overall this unit is improved. We're bigger, stronger, more experienced and deeper," said Currier. "It's part of the continuity and consistency that assistant coach Jon Medlo has brought. He's helped them mature and this is the best line we've had since we've been here."
 
The starting tackles are projected to be senior Terrell Taylor (LT) and sophomore Cris Wasylciw (RT).
 
"Terrell is athletic, tenacious and we're excited about his senior year. He has a ton of experience as a four year player. Cris is big and athletic and for a 6'7" player he moves his feet extremely well. He's on his way to a big career here and it's hard to find kids as big as him who move as well as he does. We also like what we see from redshirt freshman Tyson Kauffman who gives us good depth at tackle."
 
While many players could see action at the guard position, the left guard is anchored by fifth year junior Rich Kelly. "Rich is one of our top leaders and he's performing at a high level."
 
Opposite Kelly on the right guard spot will be a mix of returners including junior Ethan Aune, sophomore Tanner Haechten and seniors Samuel Kessler, Davarus Clark and Cleandre Robinson. "We have a ton of depth here, and it's also a lot of experience including three seniors," Currier commented.
 
The team also has newcomer Mark Rivera, a junior from Phoenix College who is getting up to speed after entering the mix late in camp. Veterans Tristan Wehmas and Caelb Sheets along with redshirt freshman Brian Pevarnik also brings competition up front.
 
In the middle, it's redshirt freshman Matthew Montgomery who Currier describes as "determined, focused with a tremendous desire, and he's playing well."
 
For depth at center behind Montgomery, the deep guard position also features versatile players such as Kessler who are capable of moving to the middle.
 
"We also have a great group of freshmen in Matthew Burks, Adam Cook, Sam Marshalek, Dawson Langham and Patrick Charbonneau. As a group, our freshmen have a strong work ethic and we've been pleased with their attitude. They've shown good feed and are already good sized kids who can be very competitive in this conference."

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Offensive Starters
Pos.	No.	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.	Hometown
WR	10	Marcus Gustaveson	6-5	225	Jr.	Wheaton, Ill.
WR	13	Jake Tanner	5-10	190	Sr.	Brooklyn Park, Minn.
LT	56	Terrell Taylor	6-6	270	Sr.	Minneapolis, Minn.
LG	70	Rich Kelly	6-5	315	Jr.	Plainfield, Ill.
C	67	Matthew Montgomery	6-3	275	R-Fr.	Dassel, Minn.
RG	72	Ethan Aune	6-4	300	Jr.	St. Paul, Minn.
RT	78	Cris Wasylciw	6-7	325	So.	Winchester, England
TE	87	John Damrow	6-3	250	Sr.	Delavan, Wis.
WR	6	MJ Williams	6-1	180	Jr.	Orange, Calif.
QB	4	Dom McKinzy	6-0	225	Sr.	Kansas City, Mo.
RB	22	Lajuan Preston	5-9	180	So.	Fort Myers, Fla.

 

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Offensive Reserves
Pos.	No.	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.	Hometown
WR	83	Jake Shepley	6-2	185	So.	Burnsville, Minn.
WR	12	Gabe Steed	6-1	185	Jr.	Lowell, Mich.
LT	55	Tyson Kauffman	6-5	290	R-Fr.	Stratford, Wis.
LG	69	Davarus Clark	6-9	460	Sr.	St. Petersburg, Fla.
C	65	Samuel Kessler	6-3	315	Sr.	Lansing, Ill.
RG	65	Samuel Kessler	6-3	315	Sr.	Lansing, Ill.
RT	55	Tyson Kauffman	6-5	290	R-Fr.	Stratford, Wis.
TE	82	Brandon Stevenson	6-2	235	So.	Milwaukee, Wis.
WR	11	Keyon Walters	5-8	170	So.	Lakeland, Fla.
QB	3	Maxon Hutton	6-3	210	Jr.	Victoria, Minn.
RB	27	Jeremiah Johnson	5-9	205	R-Fr.	Miami, Fla.