2011 UMAC Football Coaches’ Poll
1. 81 Points - Greenville College (9 First Place Votes)
2. 73 Points - College of St. Scholastica (1)
3. 57 Points - University of Minnesota Morris
4. 55 Points - Martin Luther College
5. 50 Points - Westminster College (Mo.)
6. 38 Points - Crown College
7. 36 Points - Northwestern College (Minn.)
8. 33 Points - Eureka College
9. 14 Points - MacMurray College
10. 13 Points - Presentation College
ST. PAUL -- Winner of the 2010 UMAC Championship and the 2009 South Division Championship, Greenville College was the unanimous favorite to win the league title again in 2011, according to a poll of the league’s 10 head coaches. Greenville took nine of the ten first place votes while earning 81 points in the poll. Behind second-year head coach Ordell Walker, the Panthers will start this season with many fresh faces as Greenville lost 15 starters from a year ago. Regardless of the outcome, 2011 will be another unique year for UMAC Football as the league adds Presentation College, who will play its inaugural season. Also, for the first time ever, the UMAC champion will receive an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament after the conference patiently rode out a two-year waiting period.
1. Greenville College Panthers
2010 Overall Record: 7-3
2010 UMAC Record: 6-0
2010 UMAC Finish: 1st
Starters Returning: 9
Starters Lost: 15
In his first year as head coach, Walker led the Panthers to a 7-3 record and a 6-0 sweep of Greenville’s UMAC slate while taking all of the respective UMAC Player and Coach of the Year awards. In 2011, the Panthers will rely on a combination of young talent and veteran leadership to successfully defend their UMAC championship. Greenville returns five starters from an offense that averaged over 30 points and 300 yards rushing per game in 2010, but the Panthers must replace three UMAC Players of the Year. The Panthers will once again have tremendous talent at the running back position. Led by sophomores Justin Honeycutt (378 yards, three TDs) and Immanuel Gamble, the Panthers rushing attack will be a force to be reckoned with in the UMAC. The Panthers also return their two top pass catchers from 2010 in wide receiver Ryan Bozeman and tight end Demontrez Simington, while quarterback Brendan Chambers returns after taking over the offense in Week 7 of the 2010 season. After Chambers assumed the starting quarterback role, the offense averaged 48 points and 539 yards per game.
Greenville’s defense also has high expectations after a successful 2010 season. The Panthers will have to fill the shoes for the 2010 UMAC Defensive Player of the Year, Joel Deayon, and two other first team all-conference players, David Maurer and James Binder. Leading the way for the Panther defense will be two senior safeties Andy Lozano and John Smith, who were 1st and 2nd Team All-Conference, respectively. Also returning this year will be junior ILB Kiso Faletufuga, who was selected to the 2nd Team All-Conference as well.
2. College of St. Scholastica Saints
2010 Overall Record: 7-3
2010 UMAC Record: 5-2
2010 UMAC Finish: 2nd
Starters Returning: 20
Starters Lost: 2
St. Scholastica was a clear second choice in the poll and will have its inaugural recruiting class as seniors this season. The Saints have improved by three wins from the previous year in each of the first three seasons and if they repeat that feat this season, they will earn the conference’s first automatic qualifier into the NCAA playoffs. St. Scholastica enters the 2011 season on a four-game winning streak. After uncertainty starting quarterback position at the beginning of last year, now-senior Alex Thiry took over the reins and had a tremendous season, throwing for 1,542 yards and 15 touchdowns with only five interceptions. His main targets are also back in seniors Keegan O’Neill and Jonny Bennett. The two combined for 64 receptions and 11 touchdowns in 2010. CSS only loses one starter from the offensive line, but incoming freshman Peter Stanley may help fill that void.
Defensively, St. Scholastica loses just one starter in Scott Greening. The defensive unit was one of the best in the NCAA Division III last season in takeaways, finishing second in the country in turnover margin. The Saints defense finished second in the league in total defense in 2010. Leading the charge will be senior Jordan Rasmussen and Zack Dubanoski in the interior defensive. JP Leary and Sean Graskey control the linebacker spots while Justin Trautmiller, Sherome Milon, and Alec French are back in the secondary.
3. University of Minnesota Morris Cougars
2010 Overall Record: 5-4
2010 UMAC Record: 4-2
2010 UMAC Finish: T-4th
Starters Returning: 12
Starters Lost: 10
Minnesota Morris was predicted to finish third in the poll with 57 points. Led by a pair of returning players on offense and seven returning starters, the Cougars will lean on their ability to score as Morris continues its climb up the UMAC standings in 2011. With second team all-conference offensive lineman Evan Berank leading the way for All-UMAC First Team running back Todd Gramenz, the Cougars should post an impressive ground game. Add to that mix sophomore tailback Leandro Dower and capable quarterbacks Derrick Foss and Dan Garrigan and the second highest scoring team in the UMAC in 2010 (31.8 ppg) should have no trouble again finding the end zone in 2011.
With just five starters returning, the Minnesota Morris defense will have holes to fill, including a new backfield after the Cougars ranked second in the UMAC in pass defense (169.6 ppg) last season. One of the team’s strengths will be on the defensive line, where returners Matt Anderson and Mitch Zimmer lead the charge after ranking third and fifth respectively in sacks a year ago.
4. Martin Luther College Knights
2010 Overall Record: 5-4
2010 UMAC Record: 4-2
2010 UMAC Finish: T-4th
Starters Returning: 13
Starters Lost: 9
Fourth place Martin Luther will look to a strong group of returning defensive players to lead them in 2011 as the Knights to improve upon last season’s 5-4 campaign. Offensively, the Knights must replace four-year standouts Greg Holzhueter, Aaron Voss and Andrew Becker from the backfield, but will be helped by a veteran offensive line, led by Jeremy Byers, that returns four players with starting experience. Ryan Schmeling looks to take over the reins at quarterback, while former all-conference defensive back Joe Lindloff will move to the offensive side of the ball at running back this season. Scott Henrich, Micah Plocher and Mark Voss give the Knights a group of big, talented skill players.
Martin Luther’s defense returns eight starters, led by two-time all-conference performer Chuqee Fletcher up front. Fletcher will be joined on the line by returners Doug Van Sice and Jake Rothe, while Ben Hansen and Justin Eternick hope to be the foundation for a strong group of linebackers behind them. The secondary returns two-time all-conference performer Benjamin Olson at safety, as well as cornerbacks Andrew Stuebs and Peter Schlicht.
5. Westminster College (Mo.) Blue Jays
2010 Overall Record: 5-5
2010 UMAC Record: 3-4
2010 UMAC Finish: 6th
Starters Returning: 14
Starters Lost: 8
Although Westminster returns seven starters on offense and seven on defense, the Blue Jays, who finished 5-5 overall and sixth in the UMAC last year, face a variety of questions entering the 2011 season. The offense finished in the upper half of the league in most categories, but consistency is the key. Senior all-conference first team member Carl Givens and junior James Gladstone are two of the best receivers in the UMAC. Givens caught 54 passes and scored 13 touchdowns while leading the league and finishing 30th nationally with a 99.5 yards per game average. Gladstone caught 29 passes and scored three times for a passing offense which was 71st nationally. The question is if sophomore Scott Rodgers can improve at quarterback and Westminster can run the ball better to control the clock and improve time of possession.
The Blue Jays led the UMAC in rushing defense, total defense, scoring defense and tackles for loss. All-UMAC first teamer Rodney Lyles returns for his junior campaign after leading the Blue Jays with 3.5 sacks a year ago. Joining Lyles on the defensive front is junior Tashan Fultz, who led the league in tackles for loss. Another key returnee is senior defensive back Kelvin Williams, who led the league and finished 20th nationally in interceptions a game, snaring six in 10 games. Kicking is a big question for the Jays. Westminster was eighth in the league in punting and two-time all-conference kicker Jake Hilton graduated with four school records, including careers records for extra points (94) and field goals (15).
6. Crown College Storm
2010 Overall Record: 6-3
2010 UMAC Record: 4-2
2010 UMAC Finish: 3rd
Starters Returning: 9
Starters Lost: 16
Crown is coming off its most successful campaign in school history after going 6-3 a season ago. However, 16 seniors have departed from that team, including numerous all-conference performers. A solid crop of talent returns along with a very athletic recruiting class. Leading the Storm offensively will be the running attack of Taylor Hallblade, Amos Schmidt, and Neil Johnson. Hallblade returns for his junior season having rushed for 1,798 career yards and 23 touchdowns. Schmidt is coming off a tremendous freshman campaign where he rushed for 544 yards and six touchdowns and a team high 6.3 yards per carry. Johnson will return to his fullback post where he rushed for four touchdowns a year ago.
Defensively the Storm will return multiple starters at linebacker including senior leader Mark Shea and sophomore Jordan Pardee. Senior defensive back Nate Metzger returns but is pursuing Crown’s vacant quarterback position. All four starters from last year’s defensive line have moved on, leaving the door open for numerous freshmen and sophomores. Overall, Crown will look to grow in 2011 as talent and experience attempt to replace a senior laden 2010 squad.
7. Northwestern College Eagles
2010 Overall Record: 1-8
2010 UMAC Record: 1-5
2010 UMAC Finish: 8th
Starters Returning: 12
Starters Lost: 10
Northwestern is hoping to rebound in 2011 after a dismal 2010 that included a 1-8 record and the final game of the year being canceled due to inclement weather. Injuries also played a big role in the 2010 season, which offered the opportunity for multiple players to see time that may not have otherwise come as soon as it did. That playing time, which led to more experience on the field and in practice, will hopefully pay off this season. Head coach Kirk Talley lost nearly half of his starting lineup from last year’s final game of the season due to graduation. Fortunately for the Eagles, eight of the 12 returners are on the offensive side of the football. Tim Youtzy and Josh Young, the tailback tandem who saw the most carries in 2010, both return this year, as does quarterback Josh Balzer, who threw for nine touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. While Northwestern’s backfield features familiarity, most of the entire starting offensive line will be new.
Defensively, eight of the top 10 Eagle tacklers are back, including UMAC All-Conference safety Luke Delain. Delain recorded 78 tackles before an injury sidelined his season after six games. Defensive end Dave Kleiner also returns after the now-senior posted 59 tackles and 10 tackles for a loss in 2010.
8. Eureka College Red Devils
2010 Overall Record: 2-8
2010 UMAC Record: 2-8
2010 UMAC Finish: 7th
Starters Returning: 16
Starters Lost: 6
Eureka enters its 108th season of competition in 2011, returning 16 total starters and boasting one of the largest rosters in school history. The Red Devils enter their third season under the direction of Eureka Hall of Famer Kurt Barth. The Eureka offense will have a load of experience at its offensive skill positions this fall. The Red Devils return their leading passer (Sam Durley, 1,994 yards), rusher (Ethan Lord, 306 yards) and receiver (Wes Schmidgall, 890 yards) from the previous season for the first time since 2004. Durley, Schmidgall and wide receiver Alex Hess each earned All-UMAC honors in 2010.
The Red Devils defense also boasts the return of an All-UMAC performer in free safety Mike Minehan. The Washington, Ill. native ranked second among UMAC players in 2010 with 121 total tackles and will be joined as returning starters in the secondary by junior Charles Turner, who tallied 32 tackles last year. Steve Snider (53 tackles), Jacob Carls (99 tackles) and Frankie Bray (27 tackles) return to anchor Eureka's linebacker corps, while Dan Bolsen (49 tackles) and Craig Wilson (41 tackles) return as starters on Eureka's defensive line.
9. MacMurray College Highlanders
2010 Overall Record: 0-10
2010 UMAC Record: 0-7
2010 UMAC Finish: 9th
Starters Returning: 10
Starters Lost: 6
MacMurray enters the 2011 season with a new coaching staff with high hopes of improvement. The Highlanders will add a total of 28 freshmen and 10 transfers to their 2011 roster. Along with all of the new players comes new head coach Chris Douglas, who joined MacMurray after coordinating the offense at Highland Community College (Kan.). Prior to that, Douglas was the head coach at Southwestern College for five years. MacMurray lost six starters from last year’s team, including standings Tobias Alarbe, Kelsey Mankins, Marc Randle and Steve Etheridge. Brian Clay is expected to be the team’s featured running back after rushing for 372 yards in 2010.
10. Presentation College Saints
2010 Overall Record: DNP
2010 UMAC Record: DNP
2010 UMAC Finish: DNP
Starters Returning: NA
Starters Lost: NA
For the first time in school history, Presentation will field a football team this fall, making the Saints the second UMAC team in five years to begin a football program after St. Scholastica did so in 2008. First year head coach Andy Carr has brought in over 60 young men to represent the Saints in the UMAC in 2011. While the team is young, the Saints have some collegiate experience from a few young men including transfers Cullen O’Brien (Southwest Minnesota State), Eric Schueth (Dakota Wesleyan), Kyle Woodward (Rocky Mountain College), and Kyle Blum (Maryville College). The Saints are also looking forward to performances from players such as Jalanni James, a transfer wide receiver from North Dakota State College of Science, who was named all-county in his home state of Georgia. Presentation will also look to Will Vealy, a running back who earned first team all-state honors in Alaska. South Dakota native Wade Brandner has looked promising so far for the Saints at linebacker.
Six of the 10 UMAC football teams will officially begin their 2011 seasons this Saturday, September 3, with the remaining four teams picking up on Saturday, September 10. All teams will play nine conference games in 2011 with the UMAC champion earning the league’s automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament. All 10 teams will also play in the final rendition of UMAC Dome Day on Friday and Saturday, October 28-29 in the Metrodome in Minneapolis. For a complete 2011 composite schedule, click here.