ST. PAUL, Minn. – This Thursday, September 1, Concordia-St. Paul football opens the 2022 season at Sea Foam Stadium against #25 Augustana for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. This is the second of a three-part season series leading up to the opener on Thursday.

Opening night is St. Paul Day at Sea Foam Stadium. In recognition of the importance of supporting local businesses, the team distributed 500 tickets along with schedule posters to St. Paul businesses, encouraging community members to attend the season opener. Game one is sponsored by Summit Orthopedics, the official team physicians of CSP student-athletes.
 
BUY TICKETS ONLINE – AVOID THE LINE!
Fans are encouraged to buy tickets in advance and bring your QR code to the gates to skip the line! Friends and families who utilize the pass list will also be utilizing the online ticketing service while all students, faculty & staff will access their free CSP tickets through the service. Fans do not need to create a login, remember a username or password or download an app to purchase tickets, and tickets can still be purchased with cash at the gates. Find out more in the partnership announcement between CSP Athletics and HomeTown Ticketing.
 
WATCH ONLINE – NSIC NETWORK
All Golden Bear NSIC football games will be available to watch online, free of charge, powered by the NSIC Network, and supported by BlueFrame Technology.
 
Visit nsicnetwork.com/cspbears on a laptop or desktop computer, download the NSIC Network app on your mobile device or watch on your supported OTT provider such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Search "NSIC Network" and download the app for the league's full sport and team lineups. NSIC NETWORK FAQ
 
All home games will feature the play-by-play broadcasting provided by Dan Flanagan, the voice of the Golden Bears for over a decade. The St. Paul, Minnesota native studied broadcasting at Fordham University (N.Y.) where he was the voice of the Rams' football and basketball teams in the NCAA Division I Patriot League.
 
DOWNLOAD THE APP
Fans can download the CSP Bears fan app, free of charge and available in the App Store or on Google Play. The app contains rosters, schedules, scores, stats, news, social media and more! Customize your options to get notifications to your favorite teams, as well. Search "CSP Bears" in the app store to stay up-to-date on Golden Bear athletics.
 
MATCHUP: CSP VS AUGUSTANA
The Golden Bears meet the Vikings for the 17^th time dating back to 2004 when Augustana was a member of the now-defunct North Central Conference (NCC). In the first meetings when the schools played non-conference games between 2004-07, CSP won three of four, winning twice in Sioux Falls and splitting at Griffin Stadium, CSP's former home just a block to the east of campus.
 
When Augustana joined the Northern Sun in 2008, the series flipped, with the Vikings winning the first six contests and 11 of the last 12 including a current 5-game winning streak against CSP. The teams didn't meet last year with CSP's move to the NSIC North Division, breaking a streak of 16-straight seasons that the programs faced each other.
 
The last time the teams met was in 2019 at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls, with Augustana winning 21-20 in a closely played game that included a fourth down conversion on a late fourth-quarter scoring drive. Concordia trailed by 11 points (14-3) in the second quarter but rallied under backup quarterback Jared Olsgaard, who filled in for injured Maxon Hutton, connecting with Marcus Gustaveson for a touchdown with 41 seconds left in the first half. CSP's defense then blanked the Vikings in the third quarter when freshman running back Darios Crawley-Reid broke loose for a 27-yard touchdown run for a 17-14 lead. He finished with 11-102 rushing with a long of 59. Danny Laudet cashed in a 35-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter for a 20-14 lead. Augustana went on its eventual game-winning TD drive with 5:20 to play, converting a 3^rd-and-3 near midfield, a 4^th-and-1 from the CSP 9-yard line with 1:15 to play and scored on a 3^rd-and goal from the 2-yard line with 52 seconds left.
 
Concordia is 2-6 in home games against Augustana and 1-4 at Sea Foam Stadium, last picking up a win in 2014 (17-7). Under head coach Shannon Currier, Concordia holds a 0-4 mark against the Vikings.
 
The Vikings are ranked #25 in the country by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) in the AFCA Division II Preseason Top-25 and Augie was picked to win the league with five first-place votes and 153 points overall, an 8-point margin over second place Bemidji State who secured four first-place votes. In the NSIC South Division, things were tighter, with Augie picked first with a pair of first-place votes and 32 points, just one point ahead of Minnesota State who had three first-place votes while Sioux Falls in third place in the division had 27 points and a pair of first-place votes.
 
Augustana is led by NSIC Preseason South Division Player of the Year Eli Weber, a senior safety and two-time All-NSIC South Division First Team performer who had 63 tackles and a pair of interceptions last year. Offensively, Jarod Epperson, a junior running back, is the key player after ranking fourth in the league with 1,051 rushing yards and 253 receiving yards last year. The All-NSIC South First Team selection had five 100-yard rushing performances for the Vikings, who went 9-2 overall and won the NSIC South with a 5-1 record in division play.
 
2022 SEASON PREVIEW: OFFENSE
While injuries decimated the core of the offense in 2021, losing the starting quarterback in week six, the top wide receiver after week three and no running back starting more than four games or playing in more than eight games, the Golden Bears enter the 2022 season healthy and armed with new faces to ensure increased production.
 
But the personnel isn't the only change coming to Golden Bear offense, led by head coach Shannon Currier.
 
"I think we have cut down on some offense so we can focus on getting better at the things we are doing. We're trying to put the best 11 players on the field, and that dictates the personnel groups we are going to be in. We'll be a similar style but we've made subtle changes to the way we're doing things. We've been more conscientious in practicing the things we want to do in the game instead of being a jack of all trades and a master of none."
 
Currier is also excited about the offensive talent on the 2022 squad, "We've added some personnel to become more explosive and getting guys back from injury helps. I thought we had a very good spring and built a good foundation that has led to continue building here in the fall."
 
The team welcomes four Division I transfers to the offensive skill group including wide receivers Drew Enke (Northern Iowa) and Adrian Adams (North Dakota State) and running backs Gayflor Flomo (Kansas) and Jaire Moore (Northern Colorado).
 
MEET THE BEARS: QUARTERBACKS
The Golden Bears went into 2021 handing the keys to second-year freshman quarterback Conner Cordts, who became just the second freshman to win a starting QB job in week one since Concordia moved to NCAA Division II in 1999, joining CSP and NSIC Hall of Famer James McNear (2002-05).

Cordts was cooking early, too. He broke out in a week two win over Upper Iowa, completing 20-27 for 249 yards and two touchdowns and had his top individual performance in week four against Southwest Minnesota State, completing 22-33 for 260 yards and three touchdowns, adding 9-41 rushing for his first 300 yard total offense performance.
 
But early in week six, he suffered a season-ending injury that derailed a rookie season in which he presided over 111 passing attempts before his first career interception, and only threw one interception in 141 passing attempts on the season, finishing with 857 yards and six touchdowns while adding 82 rushing yards.
 
"Having Conner back is huge," said Coach Currier. "He is better, bigger, stronger, more confident, and healthy. He's a tremendous athlete."
 
The quarterback depth behind him includes sophomore Bryce Sievers, who also earned a handful of starts as a freshman, and he's joined by Southern Illinois redshirt freshman transfer Jaylen DeVries to provide solid youth and depth at the position.
 
"We have the improvement of Bryce and the addition of Jaylen which has made our quarterback room stronger," said Currier. "We also have a couple of good young guys who make that room even better. Overall, we have guys who give us performance now, but we also feel very good about the future of the QB room."
 
MEET THE BEARS: RUNNING BACKS
Like last year, the Golden Bears head into 2022 with a three-headed monster in the backfield. This year's group is comprised of three Division I transfers led by returner Jaylin Richardson (Northern Iowa) who was second on the team with 431 all-purpose yards and second on the team with 234 rushing yards despite missing four games due to injury, leading the team with 61.6 all-purpose yards per game as a rusher, receiver and return man.
 
He's joined in the backfield by transfer newcomers Gayflor Flomo (Kansas) and Jaire Moore (Northern Colorado).
 
"Last year, we wanted physicality in our backfield. All three of our top backs are physical, hit the hole hard, are explosive and these guys are performing better than we've had in a long time at the position."
 
The unit is bolstered by the return of veteran senior Ethan Falaniko, who missed 2021 due to injury, Daimarion Nelson and true freshman Daniel Hornacek.
 
"Ethan Falaniko is improved and part of the mix, and Nelson has game experience as part of the group, too. They've all been working hard, the work ethic is stronger than we've had and we have more leadership in the room," said Currier.
 
He added, "Jaire, Gayflor and Ethan area college graduates working towards master's degrees. They have their stuff together. They understand what it takes off the field, they have the mental toughness to be better than a younger student-athlete."
 
MEET THE BEARS: WIDE RECEIVERS
When discussing wide receivers, what stands at the forefront of Coach Currier's mindset is leadership. He mentions the team culture and how the position takes care of their business before getting to their strengths as football players, and in doing so, brings the running backs into the conversation.
 
"The cultures have changed in our running back and wide receiver rooms. The attitudes, the standards being set, the effort and attention to detail, and leadership have more presence in these two rooms than ever before," he said. "The biggest difference is we don't have any players who are going through the motions or lack commitment and effort. Overall, our environment and culture has improved, and that is most apparent in these two rooms."
 
The position was enjoying a breakout campaign in 2021 by Nathan Gimza, a St. Cloud State transfer who had 11 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown with big play ability with a 65-yard long in the first three weeks of the season before injury ended his season abruptly.
 
"Gimza and Jack Munsterteiger are part of the reason this room has seen its leadership increased and both players are on our leadership council," said Currier.
 
The unit also features sophomore Jaheim Arnold who started four games and played all 11 as a true freshman, finishing with 13 catches for 192 yards tying the team lead with three touchdown catches.
 
Other returners include Evan Peterson (12-98), Joey Farley (31-188) and redshirt freshman Julius Reynolds while Northern Iowa transfer Drew Enke is expected to be considered among the first group on the 2-deep.
 
"Jahiem is improved, matured and is a better player this year. Enke is coming in as a top leader as a newcomer. Evan continues to grow and get better and although Julius hasn't played in games yet, he has moved to another level. Farley is bigger and stronger than last year. Overall, this is a solid group of wide receivers that should allow for more success on the perimeter run game as well as in the pass game."
 
MEET THE BEARS: TIGHT ENDS
The 2022 tight end position group enters the season without any career receptions, although the group did gain game experience in 2021.
 
The group's returning playing time leaders are Riley Heller with seven games played and a pair of starts and Jack Dodd with six games played and a start in 2021 as redshirt freshmen. Redshirt freshmen Jacob Cannon and Brock Thornton are also in the mix to see significant playing time in 2022.
 
"The way we utilize our tight ends will keep opponents on their toes. We'll be filling this role by committee, utilizing different packages to play to each of these players' strengths in various situations. Jacob Cannon has improved and elevated his game, Jack Dodd's improved physicality is what puts him in the mix, and Riley Heller and Brock Thornton will also have roles. Everyone will have a role in the offense and on special teams this season."
 
MEET THE BEARS: OFFENSIVE LINE
Up front, the offensive line has remained the healthiest and most intact unit, returning multiple starters or players who earned spot starts and key reserve playing time last year while missing the fewest games due to injuries.
 
"The offensive line is a unit playing better together this year more than it was a year ago. We've done a better job of coaching them, getting more detailed with our offensive teaching and installations, including communication and preparation, has allowed us to be further along than we've been in the past."
 
This year's group features tackles Jake Edwards (left) and Jac Carver (right) along with brothers Robby Carrillo (left) and Austin Carrillo (right). The interior line is anchored by returning starting center Sam Marshalek with guards Sarek Hoerth (left) and Elliott Wolfe (right) joining him inside. Wolfe also backs up at center, while backup guards include Brody Card, Taylon Hensley (left) and CJ Picazo (right).
 
The unit has featured strong competition for starting positions as well as reserve and travel roster positions, and a deep offensive line will allow the group to stay fresh in games, leading to more opportunities for reserves to earn in-game action.
 
"Jake Edwards is one of the more athletic and better tackles in the league, and he may not have played extensively last year but he did gain experience. He's come on strong to become a good performer. Sam Marshalek and Elliott Wolfe are experienced leaders and playing really well."
 
"The biggest competition for roles and playing time on the offensive line came down to right tackle and left guard. Carson Krefft is another player to watch up front, after coming off of health ramifications, he's had a strong fall camp and will be a good player for us in the future. I'm also impressed by the freshman class of offensive linemen in the program," said Currier.