ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Saturday evening when the 2016 football season kicks off against U-Mary at Sea Foam Stadium, the new CSP monogram on the free white t-shirts to the first 500 Concordia fans won't be the only major new look. When the offense takes the field for the opening play, only three returning starters are expected to line up for the snap along with five new players and three players who started fewer than five games in 2015.
T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY IN WEEK ONE
The t-shirt giveaway is presented by Concordia University Alumni Association and CSP Athletics. The first 500 fans will receive a FREE white t-shirt featuring the new CSP monogram. The t-shirts and new CSP logo will match the style worn by the team in the opener, as the football team is debuting its new white uniform combination and white CSP helmet.
GLANCE AT THE TWO DEEP: Vickers highlights returners
The three players to start at least five games a year ago who are penciled into the first unit on the team's official two deep are sophomore All-American
Alquawn Vickers, junior tight end
Matt Bjork and sophomore left tackle
Terrell Taylor. Vickers earned All-America Third Team and NSIC Newcomer of the Year nods in a season in which he was one of the top all-purpose players in the country, setting the school record for kickoff return yards and carving out a role as a receiver in the offense. He started all 10 of the games in which he appeared as a redshirt freshman while Taylor started all 11 contests last year as the right tackle. Bjork converted from center to a tight end/h-back role prior to last season and started five of the eight games he played.
The rest of the lineup is comprised of returners senior
Conner McGraw at center (three starts in 2015), sophomore
Ben Lawrence at right tackle (nine games played, no starts in 2015) and senior running back
Darius Chapes (four starts in 2015).
Two of the five newcomers are transfers, junior wide receiver
Elias Arlington from Central Lakes College and junior quarterback
Ron Johnson from De Anza College. Johnson attended Concordia as a true freshman in 2013, sitting out as a redshirt before transferring to College of DuPage in the Chicago area where he's from before playing his sophomore season at De Anza. Arlington is originally from the Twin Cities, graduating from Park High School in Cottage Grove.
The expected freshmen starters include two offense linemen,
Tanner Haechten at left guard from Wall, Texas and local standout
Ethan Aune at right guard from Highland Park High School. Six-foot, five-inch wide receiver
Marcus Gustaveson from Wheaton, Illinois rounds out the 11 projected starters.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW: Fast, no-huddle, creative scheme
When
Shannon Currier led the program to a 32-12 record and school record .727 winning percentage from 2000-03, his team's had a reputation for an explosive offense capable of exploiting defenses in multiple ways throughout the course of a game. Currier employed and utilized all of the weapons in his offensive schemes centered on a versatile quarterbacks capable of making big plays downfield in and out of the pocket or with their feet.
"We'll be a fast-paced offense, using the shotgun and no huddle. We'll look to spread it out using a variety of formations and movement and try to stretch the field both vertically and laterally. It will be a nice mix of run and pass and we'll be looking to get the ball into our playmakers' hands to let them make plays in space and we have a couple of good ones to feature."
The early 2000's Currier offenses also relied on strong, physical, veteran offensive lines who were built on a strong foundation of cohesion and teamwork to dominate opponents. In year one in his second stint leading the program, this is an area Currier and his staff will be working to develop.
"We're younger up front so we'll rely on perimeter blocking in our run game. But we have good leadership from our upperclassmen and it's on us as coaches to figure out ways to be creative enough to move the ball."
QUARTERBACKS: Johnson emerges from contested four player competition
In Currier's offense, aided by new assistant coaches
Jon Medlo as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach and
Houston Jones as pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the quarterback is expected to be "athletic and able to move the ball with his feet to turn the game into a true 11 on 11 contest, making the offense harder to defend," Currier explained.
He continued, "When a quarterback is simply handing the ball off and being a pocket passer, it becomes a 10 on 11 competition and quite frankly right now we are not good enough to rely on a hand-off and dominate style of play. We'll rely on our QB to make plays, we want that pocket presence and production from our backs, but we also want our QB to be able to break out of the pocket and still look downfield for a big throw or to gain some yards on his own."
Entering fall camp, the Golden Bears had a tough decision at the position with four players vying for the starting role. Incumbent
Trevor Tillett earned three starts down the stretch last year as a redshirt freshman while
Maxon Hutton spent the season as a redshirt gaining valuable experience in his first year in a college program. The program brought in junior transfer
Ricardo Johnson, a St. Paul native and graduate of Cretin-Derham Hall High School. Johnson spent the previous season leading Division III Ohio Northern to the NCAA playoffs before deciding to come back to his hometown last winter in time for the spring football season.
Concordia also welcomed back
Ron Johnson, who was with the club in 2013 as a redshirt, spending his 2014 redshirt freshman season at College of DuPage and his sophomore season at De Anza.
It was Johnson who prevailed at the position with Hutton expected to claim the backup nod.
"
Ron Johnson demonstrated the qualities we are looking for in the position the best," said Currier. "He's able to move well, he's capable of making plays downfield on the move and is still able to sit in the pocket and make throws. He's an explosive athlete and he's every bit as good as we thought he'd be. He has the potential to be one of the best in the league and has a similar skillset to James McNear had. We certainly don't expect him, or anyone, but we're looking forward to Ron showing us what he can do in game situations. McNear's greatest attribute was being able to make plays while moving in or out of the pocket and just had a knack to make things happen – stuff that's really hard to measure. We are looking for Ron to be a player in that mold."
While Johnson was declared the starter prior to game week, the decision was not an easy call for Currier and the coaching staff.
"This was a really tight race between these four. Ricardo and Trevor are wonderful leaders, they work incredibly hard and have taken things very seriously from day one. The group made this a very difficult call to make at the most important decision and we respect them all for it."
Now a redshirt freshman still armed with four years of playing eligibility,
Maxon Hutton appears slotted for the backup role. "Of all of our quarterbacks in spring ball, Maxon had the best spring game. He sat in the pocket and delivered a big touchdown, he can run physically and as a 6-foot, 4-inch kid he has a nice arm and is a strong runner. He has a lot of potential with a huge ceiling, and for being such a big kid has real nice mobility."
If the past is any indication, multiple players will be taking snaps throughout the course of a season which makes having depth with experienced players like Johnson and Tillett in the program crucial for sustained success.
"Ricardo is a phenomenal leader, is smart, can move and make plays. This means a lot to him, and he has the experience and respect of his teammates. Trevor's forte is his work ethic and leadership. But physically, he throws as good a ball as anyone and is certainly capable. Like Ricardo, his teammates respect his leadership and he's been here in the program which is important. He's as good a kid as we have."
The team features a fifth quarterback on the roster,
Erik Madryga, a sophomore from Burnsville who attended Minehaha Academy. In part one of the preview, Currier emphasized the importance of each player on the roster and ensuring that their role will be communicated clearly with the expectation that the role is executed to deliver team success.
Madryga's role is clear, and vital according to Currier, "Erik is valuable to this position group, he'll be leading our scout team and his goal is to be the best scout player on the team. On gameday's, he'll be involved in our gameday communications."
Perhaps the biggest question mark going into any season is the quarterback position.
"All five of our quarterbacks are valuable," said Currier. "But at that position, you only play one at a time."
RUNNING BACKS: Seniors to carry the load
The two players featured most prominently in last year's ground game return in seniors
Darius Chapes and
Alex Carr.
Chapes enters the year as the starter and one of the team captains. "Darius is setting himself apart and has tremendous work ethic. We saw great things from him in the spring and he's continued that with an excellent fall camp. He's a physical runner who can grind out a bunch of yards and we're anxious to see him in games."
Behind him is a solid compliment in Carr as the two bring different running styles to the table.
"Alex is an explosive player, and is also a good leader for us. He's a team player and the combination of Alex and Darius has been great in helping our younger backs get acclimated in our program."
Last year, Carr led the team with 406 yards and a 4.8 average in six starts while Chapes led the team with 95 carries and three touchdowns in four starts, nearly reaching Carr's yardage with 372. Together, they combine to return 778 yards, or nearly 80 percent of the team's rushing production.
While they are the top two incumbents, a pair of freshmen are pushing for immediate roles on the roster in
Darnell Rolle and
Jacquel Waller. The two Florida freshmen running backs bring different elements to the table.
"We call Darnell 'Bam-Bam' because of his physicality and hard running style, and also provides a solid blocking presence and can make a special teams impact. Waller really turned heads in our first scrimmage in Brainerd when he busted a 60-plus yard run."
A pair of young returners are also in the mix with sophomore
RaQuan Cunnigan and
Ahmad McClellan. "Cunnigan had a good summer, came back lean and more athletic and McClelland is back from his season-ending injury a year ago and looking explosive."
Cunnigan appeared in five games as a redshirt freshman, running the ball 11 times for 55 yards with a long of 20.
"To me, the biggest breakout of the group is how much Darius has elevated his game in the offseason. It's also nice having the two freshmen in the mix right away, they're going to be talented players and it's nice to reaffirm our scouting and recruiting efforts."
WIDE RECIEVERS: Vickers highlights a mix of newcomers and experienced returners
"My main mission is to get him the football in as many ways as we can," Currier said when talking about the wide receivers.
While
Alquawn Vickers broke onto the scene as a redshirt freshman a year ago, his impact came in a variety of looks as he led all Division II players in combined return yards and finished 14
th in the country with nearly 160 all-purpose yards per game.
Offensively, he tied for the team lead with 37 catches and was second on the team in receiving yards (463) and touchdowns (3) while leading the roster in total touchdowns (5).
Currier will look to continue to allow Vickers to compile yards in mass quantities as he enters his second year on the active roster.
"Alquawn is our guy, he's an explosive athlete and we'll move him around to three or four different spots in the offense based on the mixed personnel we intend to use throughout the course of a game and even within a drive or series. He'll be challenged to line up all over including the backfield, slot and split out. Quite frankly, he needs the ball and is a game-changer. If we don't find ways to get the ball to him, that's on me as a coach. We'll look to get it to him in as many ways as possible."
In his breakout year, Vickers set the program record for kickoff return yards (998), breaking two for touchdowns.
But this is a receiving core bringing back its top three receivers while trading its fourth (
Vantwon Melton) to the defense in exchange for
DeCeon Schumann.
The top receiver in yards (512) and average per catch (13.8) is junior
Jason Oney who matched Vickers for the team lead with 37 receptions and scored a pair of touchdowns and had the longest catch of the season (81).
"Jason's one of our top returners from 2015 and we'll look to him to make plays throughout the season, he's had some big catches this fall in camp and it's nice to have another experienced veteran back in
Sammy Baucham to anchor the group," said Currier.
Baucham led the team in receiving touchdowns (4) and was third in receptions (19), yards (237) and average (12.5).
Matt Liewen (3-37) and
Willie Ross (2-26) also provide returning experience to the position.
But the position is going to be welcoming two new starters to a base offense that lists three wide receivers on the starting two deep as freshman
Marcus Gustaveson and junior
Elias Arlington are slated for starting roles.
Gustaveson is a long receiver with 6-foot, 5-inch height but unlike most young players with his height, Gustaveson is not a rangy athlete, but rather smooth and dynamic and draws heaping praise from Currier.
"He's got a chance to be among the best in the country at some point," he exclaimed. "He's really polished for such a tall receiver. A lot of tall receivers are striders and he's a really explosive athlete. He's a great kid and my goal is to put him in position to be considered for the NSIC Newcomer of the Year award. He'll be our starting split-end (x-receiver) and can exploit opposing corners in our league with his size. I'm not sure there's a better freshman in the conference than him and we will also utilize him in special teams."
He makes it clear that Gustaveson is ready for the role mentally, "He's got a great personality and is one of our three freshman leaders as selected for fall camp."
Junior college transfer
Elias Arlington joins Concordia from Central Lakes College and provides another versatile threat to join Vickers.
"He's explosive and fast, his physical skills are similar to Vickers in that he's shifty and a running back/wide receiver type of player with multiple positions and we'll see him make plenty of plays."
Two other new faces to the lineup include true freshman
Gabe Steed and redshirt freshman Heaven Hunt. "Gabe is coming on strong and in the mix while Heaven is having a strong camp and has demonstrated relentless effort in practice with his blocking and is a smart player capable of helping in a variety of ways."
TIGHT ENDS: Bjork blocks, Russell receives
Two of the team's key tight ends from last year's two tight end set return in junior
Matt Bjork and senior
Bruce Russell. Bjork enters his second year at the position after working his freshman and redshirt freshman season as a center on the offensive line, while Russell was recruited as a running back before transitioning to the new role last season.
"Bjork is our most consistent blocker at the position while Bruce is a little more versatile with his background as a running back, he can play the f-back/h-back role and is a strong motion player. Bruce is our most athletic and best pass catching tight end."
They both drew five starts last year, with Russell hauling in 11 catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns while Bjork had three catches for 29 yards.
Also returning is
Justin Axelson who was in his first year in the program last year after transferring from FCS power North Dakota State. "Justin's a solid kid and in his second year here he's a little bigger and ready to contribute."
Multiple new faces will also contribute at the position including junior transfer
Joseph Tarwai from NDSCS and freshman
Jake Ness. "Both are in that same mold of running back/tight end. Tarwai is a physical player and coming off injury while Ness has been a lead back and can move around in the offense. He's a freshman with a lot to learn but could have a key role this season. Another freshman,
Brandon Stevenson is a guy who has battled injury this fall but we feel he'll be able to help at the position as well."
"Right now, our tight end position isn't as big as we want it going forward, but we'll be moving guys in and out of there with a main goal of keeping Bjork and Russell fresh and healthy throughout the season, they're our top two guys at the spot right now."
While Currier uses a three wide receiver, one tight end look on the base two deep which is a change from last year's two tight end base, he has indicated the goal is to be versatile and multiple in formations throughout a game which could lead to various two tight end formations, including the potential to line up a sixth offensive lineman in that spot.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Taylor the most experienced up front
Sophomore
Terrell Taylor anchors the offensive line with more starts in his career than the rest of the offensive line – combined. He started all 11 contests last year at right tackle, and is ticketed for the starting left tackle spot in the two deep, although Currier points out that his offensive line will be versatile and play both sides of the ball.
"Terrell anchors our line and will be our quick tackle, he's an athletic kid."
The center position is held by senior
Conner McGraw, who started three contests last year for Concordia in his first year as a junior college transfer. "Conner dealt with some nagging injuries last year and has really impressed us with his dedication and commitment in the offseason. He came into camp in great shape and we're excited about his senior year. Of all the kids on our team, he's the one who really turned the most heads with coming back in better shape."
A third returner is slotted for a starting spot in sophomore
Ben Lawrence who spent his first year in the program as a tight end before moving to the offensive line last season. At 6-foot, 6-inches he's one of the more imposing players up front with his long reach and levers and "has really put on some good weight to make a difference for us."
The rest of the offensive line will be comprised of freshmen with
Ethan Aune (RG) and
Tanner Haechten (LG) earning the roles on the week one two deep.
"Aune is every bit as good as we thought and actually has the versatility to play guard and tackle while Haechten along with
Mario Espinoza and
Jesse Orak have been impressive right from the start of their young careers. They're all young guys who have really lived up to expectations, once again validating our recruiting process. Another guy who we held in that same regard is
Austin Plaisted who was lost for the season early in fall camp but has a bright future in the program."
He continued on the freshmen, "four or five of those freshmen will play, and a couple will start and it's a good foundation to build on for the future."
A pair of transfers will also contribute in
Samuel Kessler and
Michael Flowers. "Kessler is a transfer from Vermillion Community College who plays a tight guard spot and Flowers brings us a physical presence from NDSCS and is a converted defensive lineman. We're also looking forward to the return of
Hunter Kauffman who will be in the mix, and is a tenacious player that we see relentless play from who is a guard/center combo guy."
The unit is led by run game coordinator and offensive line coach
Jon Medlo who was a Concordia player in the late 1990's and a 2000 graduate of CSP. "We need strength, depth and competition up front and coach Medlo has done a great job with culture and providing experience. The players know he cares about them which allows him to push them even harder and get more results from the position in what has been a demanding fall camp."
Currier notes the development as the offensive line as a key core to the overall team's success. "As they go, the offense goes and as they improve throughout the season the offense will improve exponentially. Next year, we get
Rich Kelly back from injury, Plaisted will be back and we'll have a few redshirted players like
Ryan Burton, Paul Langi among others."
But most importantly, according to Currier, "We need to build cohesion up front and with only one senior we'll be able to accomplish that."
