2011 USF Football Media Guide

Brandon Andersen

UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS Kristian Porter

Jordan Taylor

Cougar

Football Tony Benedetto

2011 Media Guide

Quick Facts USF 2011 Quick Facts Location: 1101 West 22nd Street, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105 Phone: (605) 331-5000 Founded: 1883 Enrollment: 1,600 Affiliation: American Baptist Churches USA Mascot: Cougars Colors: Purple, White, & Black President: Dr. Mark Benedetto Stadium: USF Sanford Health Sports Complex Capacity: 5,400 First Football Season: 1902 Head Coach: Jed Stugart Alma Mater: Azusa Pacific (1994) USF Record: 13-1 Starters Returning/Lost Offense: 5/6 Starters Returning/ Lost Defense: 4/7 Starters Returning/Lost Special Teams: 3/1 2010 Record: 13-1, National Runner-Up 2010 GPAC Finish: 10-0, GPAC Champions National Affiliation: NCAA Division II Conference Affiliation: Independent

USF Fight Song O when those USF teams fall in line Another game we’ll win another time.

For dear old USF we’ll yell, we’ll yell For dear old USF we’ll yell, we’ll yell, we’ll yell And then we’ll fight! fight! fight! for every score And when we win this game we’ll win some more.

Then we’ll roll those (name of opposing team) on their side, on their side, Roll, Roll, ROLL! Athletic Administration Sports Information Office: Dennis Gamble, Sports Information 605-331-6695 | 605-331-6792 - Fax Director of Athletics/Team USF William Sanchez, Jr. 605-575-2038 Assistant Athletic Director of External Affairs Kevin Hesser 605-271-3097 Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance/Senior Woman Administrator Jamie Oyen 605-331-6652 Senior Athletic Administrator Ken “SID” Kortemeyer 605-331-6656 Stewart Athletic Center 605-331-6791 | 605-331-6792 - Fax Official USF Athletic Web site www.USFCougars.com

2011-2012 marks Cougars’ final year in the DII transition

The University of Sioux Falls is now in its third and final year of NCAA DII classification and will compete as a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference beginning in the 2012-13 academic year. As part of the transition process, no USF athletic teams will be eligible for post season play during the 2011-12 academic year.

As a NCAA DII provisional member, USF will now be required to be in full compliance with Division II rules for scheduling, recruiting, scholarships and eligibility under the guidance of Senior Woman Administrator and Assistant Athletic Director for compliance, Jamie Oyen. The university will also take part in a compliance blue print review this fall, which will serve as a follow-up to the NCAA membership Committee site visit that took place in January of 2011.

Preview

2011 Season Preview 2011 University of Sioux Falls Schedule Date Opponent Sep. 1 Washburn University Sep. 10 Northwest Missouri State University Sep. 17 McNeese State University Sep. 24 Minot State University Oct. 1 William Jewell University Oct. 15 Black Hills State University Oct. 22 South Dakota Tech Oct. 29 Minot State University Nov. 5 University of North Dakota

Location Sioux Falls, S.D. Maryville, Mo. Lake Charles, La. Minot, N.D. Sioux Falls, S.D. Sioux Falls, S.D. Sioux Falls, S.D. Sioux Falls, S.D. Grand Forks, N.D.

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2011 PREVIEW

The Team

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple

USF’s leader in each of the following categories is anticipated to return for the 2011 season: tackles, interceptions, punt returns, kick return, FG/PAT’s made.

USF is set to return five starters on offense and four starters on defense, while aslo bringing back its kicker/punter, Braden Wieking from 2010.

BASIC DEFENSE: 3-4 defense LETTERMEN RETURNING: 45 (18 offense, 24 defense, 3 specialists) LETTERMEN LOST: 24 (12 offense, 10 defense, 2 specialist) All-Americans loss: Jon Ryan, WR (1st Team) Dominic Studzinski, LB (2nd Team) Brandon Koolstra, DL (2nd Team) Dan Schmiechl, DB (HM) Jon Eastman, QB (HM) Kyle Wasson, OL (HM ALL-STAR CANDIDATES: Jordan Taylor (RB), Kristian Porter (RB), Eric Anderson (LB), Nick Bonte (LB) and Braden Wieking (K).

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: Taylor Perkins (QB), Carrington Hanna (QB), Robert Virgil (DB), and Jameel Medlock (DL)

2010 REVIEW 2010 RECORD: 13-1 (8-0 H, 5-0 A, 0-1 N) GREAT PLAINS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE RECORD/FINISH: 1st place (10-0) POSTSEASON: NAIA National Championship (Carroll College 10, Univ. Sioux Falls 7)

Returning Starters: OL Casey Peters OL Jared Vlotho OL Corey DeBey TE Austin VanHove TE Taylor Klein LB Nick Bonte LB Eric Anderson LB Brandon Andersen CB Angelo Pree

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Jed Stugart Head Coach 2nd Season The 2011 season will mark Jed Stugart’s second season as the head coach of the University of Sioux Falls football program. Stugart will guide USF through uncharted waters during the lone season as a NCAA Division II provisional member, meaning the Cougars have scheduled a mixture of NAIA and NCAA Division FCS and II institutions for the 2011 slate.

Stugart was named USF’s head coach on February 20, 2010. A proof of the stability and success in the USF football program, Stugart is only the third head coach in the last 27 seasons and 20th head coach in program history.

Stugart brings a wealth of knowledge that benefits the USF program, having enjoyed success as a positions coach, defensive coordinator and head coach at the NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I-FBS levels Stugart kept one of the NAIA’s strongest football traditions going during his first campaign in 2010, leading the Cougars to a fifth straight Great Plains Athletic Conference Championship and fifth straight appearance in the NAIA National Championship Game.

Stugart’s Record Against Opponents Avila University 3-0 Azusa Pacific Uni. 1-0 Baker University 3-0 Benedictine College 2-1 Bethel College 0-1 Briar Cliff 1-0 Central Methodist Uni. 3-0 Concordia 1-0 Culver-Stockton College 3-0 Dakota Wesleyan 1-0 Doane College 1-0 Dordt College 1-0 Evangel University 3-0 Graceland Uni. (Iowa) 3-0 Hastings College 1-0 Langston 0-1 Lindenwood Uni. 2-1 McKendree University 1-0 MidAmerica Nazarene Uni. 1-0 Midland Lutheran 1-0 Missouri Valley 1-2 Morningside College 1-0 Nebraska Wesleyan 1-0 Northwestern (Iowa) 1-0 Northwestern Okla. State 1-0 William Jewell College 2-1 Record: 39-7

Year-By-Year as Head Coach University of Sioux Falls 2010: 13-1 overall, 10-0 GPAC -GPAC Champions -National runner up MidAmerica Nazarene University 2008: 10-1, 10-0 (HAAC Champions) Playoffs: L, 20-14 vs. Langston University 2007: 9-3 (8-2 HAAC) Playoffs: L, 55-34 @ Bethel College 2006: 7-3 (7-3 HAAC)

Coaches USF won 13 games, five over ranked teams, to one loss, a 10-7 shortcoming to No. 2 Carroll College in the national title game in Rome, Ga., during the 2010 season.

In his first game at the helm, the Cougars faced a tough road test at No. 23 Northwestern College. USF battled back from a 14-10 halftime deficit to a 41-24 win over their rival. USF rattled off five more wins to stand 6-0 and set up a undefeated showdown with then-No. 4 Morningside College. The Cougars prevailed with a dominate 28-3 win “under the lights” at Bob Young Field.

A 44-7 win over Concordia University (Neb.) captured the Cougars’ fifth straight and ninth total GPAC championship, capping a perfect 10-0 conference record.

USF showed strong in their first two playoff contests, a 33-14 win over No. 16 Northwestern Oklahoma State University and a 27-7 win over No. 12 McKendree University.

The wins advanced the Cougars to the NAIA semi-final round where Stugart faced the program he had been head coach of only two years prior, No. 4 MidAmerica Nazarene University.

USF shutout the Pioneers out 38-0, extending the nation’s longest winning streak to 42 games and earning the Cougar’s fifth straight trip to the NAIA national title game in Rome, Ga. After a hard fought defensive battle and 17 tackles by Cougar linebacker Eric Anderson, who was named the game’s defensive player of the game, USF came up short 10-7 to No. 2 Carroll College, ending a very successful season for the program.

Senior receiver Jon Ryan captured the program’s fourth NAIA Player of the Year award and was named the 2011 GPAC Player of the Year. Ryan was one of 22 players to receive GPAC all-conference recognition, including six Cougars landing on the first team.

Prior to USF, Stugart served as the linebackers coach at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) and guided all three starting Rebel linebackers to top 20 finishes in total tackles in the conference. UNLV just missed qualifying for a bowl with a 5-7 record in Mountain West Conference, one of the top mid-major conferences in the country at the NCAA Division I-FBS level.

Before UNLV, Stugart spent three seasons as the head coach at MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) in Olathe, Kan. Stugart groomed MNU into a consistent NAIA playoff contender, increasing the Pioneers win total each season, accumulating a 26-7 overall record. The Pioneers won the 2008 Heart of America Athletic Conference title.

Stugart spent seven seasons at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, Colo., his hometown.

While a UNC Bear, he coached the defensive line and linebackers for four season, before being promoted to defensive coordinator for three season. Stugart coached three All-Americans and won two North Central Conference Championships.

USF football has benefited from Stugart’s recruiting roots that spread the nation, having coached in Nevada, Colorado, Kansas and most recently spent time as the head recruiter for UNLV in the Southern California region.

Stugart and his wife, Angie, have one son, Gunner, and one daughter, Gracie.

Coaches Robert Tucker Asst. Head Coach/Special Teams 2nd Season Robert Tucker enters his second season as the assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at the University of Sioux Falls.

In 2010, the Cougars defensive backfield established itself as one of the best units in the NAIA, ranking 1st in the nation in both pass defense (113.1 yards per game) and pass defense efficiency (75.6). USF recorded 21 interceptions, 60 defended passes and only allowed five passing touchdowns the entire season. Tucker’s defensive backfield played a large role in USF’s National Championship run, where they held opposing teams to 98.5 passing yards per game and recorded four interceptions.

Tucker coached the Cougars special teams to an outstanding statistical year. USF special teams blocked four kicks, returned one punt for a touchdown and ranked No. 1 in total punt return yards (528 yards) in the GPAC. Punt returners Adam Lopez (13.4 yards/return) and Michael Hicks (11.5 yards/return) return averages ranked one and two in the GPAC, earning Hicks all-conference honorable mention honors.

Tucker joined USF after four seasons at the University of Colorado, where he was the Recruiting Coordinator for a season before being promoted to Director of Football Operations for three seasons under head coach Dan Hawkins. Tucker has a long history with Hawkins, having played under him at Willamette and coached under him at Boise State and CU. Prior to CU, Tucker spent six seasons at Boise State University, one season as a defensive graduate assistant and five seasons as the safeties coach and recruiting coordinator. Tucker coached one of his safeties to All-Western Athletic Conference first-team honors in four of five seasons and helped BSU become a national power, aiding in the Broncos’ 63-13 overall record and five bowl game appearances. While at BSU Tucker earned his master’s degree in Physical Education and Athletic Administration from Idaho State University in 2001.

Tucker gained additional NCAA Division I experience working as the Teamwork Coordinator at the University of Oregon for the 1999 season, specializing in recruiting for the Ducks.

A 1997 graduate of Willamette University in Oregon, he earned four letters and was named a NAIA Honorable Mention All-American at safety as a senior. Tucker earned a degree in psychology.

Upon graduation Tucker started his coaching career at Willamette, coaching defensive line under Hawkins for a year then coaching defensive backs under Mark Speckman for a year. Tucker saw the Bearcats to a 20-4 record, a conference championship and a NAIA National Championship berth in his two seasons.

During his career, Tucker has coached a handful of NFL players, including corner Chris Carr of the Baltimore Ravens, safety Quintin Mikell of the Philadelphia Eagles and safety Gerald Alexander of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tucker graduated from Grant High School (Sacramento, Calif.) in 1993, where lettered in football and baseball. He is married to Oriana Tucker.

Coaches Ryan Grubb Offensive Coordinator 2nd Season Ryan Grubb enters his second season as Offensive Coordinator and fifth overall season in the USF football program. He spent his first three seasons as a Cougar as the Run Game Coordinator and Offensive Line coach.

The Cougar offense thrived in the first year under the command of coach Grubb. The USF offense led the GPAC in pass offense (271.5 yds/gm), scoring offense (41.2 pts/gm), and total offense (432.6). In the NAIA, USF’s offense ranked third in scoring offense (577 pts) and fourth in pass offense (3,821 yds). Under coach Grubb senior receiver Jon Ryan was named the NAIA Football Player of the Year and the GPAC Offensive Player of the Year. Coach Grubb saw 15 offensive players to GPAC All-Conference honors, three of which were honored on the first team.

Entering the 2010 season, the USF offense had the tough task of replacing seven starters from the previous season, including the quarterback position. Senior Colorado State University transfer Jon Eastman stepped into the quarterback position and filled the void exceptionally. During the 2010 season he connected with Jon Ryan for 24 touchdowns, setting a school and NAIA record for touchdown receptions in a season. Eastman made his mark in the USF record books by taking over the sixth spot in career touchdowns with 45 touchdown tosses in just one season.

The 2009 offensive line provided spectacular blocking for both USF’s running backs and NAIA Player of the Year quarterback Lorenzo Brown on the way to the program’s fourth national title. The Cougar offense set school records for points in a game (80), points per game (51.6), points in a season (775), total offense (7,313 yards) and rush offense (3,842), the most rushing yards by a team in the NAIA. Seniors TJ Wendt and Kyle Staudt earned first team GPAC honors, while the Cougars three other starting offensive lineman, Travis Beaver, Kyle Wasson and Casey Peters, found themselves on either the second team or honorable mention list for the conference. The unit only gave up 14 sacks in 15 games.

In 2008, the offensive line paved the way to the sixth ranked rushing attack (235.6 yards per game) and 10th best scoring attack (36.5) in the country, while only giving up 10 sacks in 14 games. Shawn Flanagan, Kyle Staudt and TJ Wendt earned all-conference recognition, while Wendt was named a first team All-American and Flanagan was named 2nd team All-American. Flanagan signed a NFL free-agent contract in the spring.

Prior to coaching at USF, Grubb coached wide receivers and running backs at South Dakota State University in 2005 and 2006, earning four team rushing records, four All-Great West selections, an ESPN All-American, one Hula Bowl selection, and tutored current Green Bay Packer WR JaRon Harris.

Prior to coaching at SDSU, Grubb was the offensive coordinator at Kingsley-Pierson High School in Iowa, producing six All-State selections and was named 2004 Class 1A Assistant Coach of the Year.

Grubb is a 1999 graduate of Buena Vista University where he was a four-year starter and team captain. Grubb earned his master’s in Sports Administration at South Dakota State University in 2006. Ryan and his wife Amber live in Renner, SD.

Coaches Jon Anderson Defensive Coordinator 2nd Season Jon Anderson will enter his second season as USF’s defensive coordinator and tenth overall in the program.

During Anderson’s first season as defensive coordinator the Cougars maintained a reputation as a hard-hitting and intelligent unit that played a quick style of defense. For the third straight season USF led the country in scoring defense, allowing 8.5 points per game. USF shutout three opponents, including a 38-0 win over No. 4 MidAmerica Nazarene University in the NAIA playoff semi-final round, and held 10 of 14 opponents to 10 points or less.USF’s defense was also the nation’s top total defense (206.1 ypg) and pass defense (113 ypg), while ranking seventh in rush defense (93.1 ypg) and holding opponents to a 29.7% completion rate on third down, eighth nationally.

Anderson’s defense aided in the Cougar’s fifth straight Great Plains Athletic Conference Championship and fifth straight appearance in the NAIA National Championship Game in Rome, Ga. Anderson coached a player at each position level to Great Plains Athletic Conference first team recognition with Brandon Koolstra on the defensive line, Dominic Studzinski at linebacker and Dan Schmeichel at defensive back.

Seven more Cougars received either second team All-GPAC or Honorable Mention awards on the defensive side of the ball.

Antonio Turner and Eric Anderson both finished as top four sack individuals in the conference. Turner’s six sacks and Anderson’s five sacks helped USF to a conference-leading 34 total sacks on the season.

The previous eight seasons prior to handling coordinator duties Anderson served as the Special Teams Coordinator and linebackers coach, tutoring 18 All-Conference and six All-American performers.

The Cougar’s 2009 season ended with a15-0 record that included the program’s fourth national title and fourth consecutive Great Plains Athletic Conference Championship. It was also a banner year for the special teams unit as Lavell Jackson averaged 14.9 yards per punt return to earn first team GPAC recognition. The special teams unit returned two kickoffs and two punts for a touchdown. As a unit the Cougars were first in the NAIA with 25.9 yards per kick return and second in the nation averaging 17.9 yards per punt return. USF also led the conference in kick-off coverage. Anderson coached linebacker Dominic Studzinski to first-team all-GPAC honors, while the defense ranked No. 1 in total defense and scoring defense and No. 4 in pass and rush defense.

In 2008, Anderson coached the Cougars to a 10.3 yards per punt return average and 24.9 yards kick return average(4th in NAIA). Anderson’s linebackers helped USF to a No.1 ranking in scoring and total defense. Linebacker Demetrius Washington earned first team GPAC and first team All-American, while fellow linebacker Marlon Lobban was first team GPAC and HM All-American. On special teams, the Cougars finished second in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in kickoff coverage, holding opponents to 13.9 yards per return.

Anderson played four years at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, and coached the secondary during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. Anderson moved to Madison, South Dakota to join the Dakota State University staff as the linebackers and special teams coach for the 2001 season. Anderson arrived at USF for the 2002 season and earned his Master’s degree from South Dakota State University in 2003.

Jon and his wife, Amanda, have two sons, Trevor and Tyce.

Coaches Casey Meile Offensive Line Coach 2nd Season Sioux Falls native Casey Meile enters his second season as the offensive line coach at the University of Sioux Falls.

In Meile’s first season as the USF offensive line coach, he had the challenge of replacing 3 starters from the 2009 championship team. Meile’s 2010 line was smaller than previous USF lines, but athletic and proved to be excellent blockers out in space, allowing the offense to open up the playbook. Under Meile’s direction, the line protected Jon Eastman allowing only 22 sacks on the season. The Cougars passing attack received a No.2 rank in total scoring offense (577) and No. 8 rank in scoring average (41.2 points per game). Offensive Linemen Kyle Wasson and Casey Peters earned all-confernce recognition, while Kyle received all-american HM. Prior to his time at the University of Sioux Falls Meile had a stint at his alma mater, Roosevelt High School (2009) as offensive line coach and served as assistant head coach/co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Missouri Southern State University in 2006 and 2007.

In 2007 the Missouri Southern offensive line produced a total of 2,071 rushing yards, averaging 188.3 yards per game and 4.5 yards per rush while allowing only 17 sacks. 2007 marked the first winning season (6-5) at Missouri Southern in over a decade.

During his first year at Missouri Southern, Meile mentored the Lions’ highest-ever draft pick in Allen Barbre, who was selected in the fourth round (Pick 119) of the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Barbre was a consensus Division II All-American first-team selection by the NFL Draft Report, The Associated Press, AFCA and D2Football.com.

Barbre became Southern’s first All-American since Josh Chapman in 2002 and the first to be named to the first team in a decade. Allen was also the lone offensive player to be a unanimous All-Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) first-team pick.

Prior to joining Missouri Southern, Meile worked as recruiting coordinator and running backs coach at his alma mater, Augustana College (SD) in 2005. Under his guidance, Viking rushers averaged 4.8 yards per attempt en route to a 6-5 season.

Meile began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Northwest Missouri State University. Meile coached the offensive line and tight ends for the Bearcats during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. In 2003 the Bearcats went 8-3 overall and won a share of the MIAA conference championship with a 7-2 league record. Northwest Missouri State qualified for the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2004, advancing to the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual national runner-up Pittsburg State.

A native of Sioux Falls, SD, Meile attended Roosevelt High School (Hall of Fame Class of 2007) and received his bachelor’s degree in physical education and secondary education from Augustana in 2002. He earned a master’s degree in health and physical education from Northwest Missouri State in 2004.

Casey and his wife Laura live in Sioux Falls. They have a daughter Ella (4) and son Peyton (2).

Coaches Al Hansen Kicking Coach 13th Season Al Hansen enters his 13th season as the punters and kickers coach at USF. In 2010 Hansen saw sophmore kicker Braden Wieking to GPAC honorable-mention, GPAC and NAIA player of the week (9/13) and all-american honorable-mention recognition. Last season, Wieking was 2nd on the #1 ranked Cougars in scoring with 118 points, he converted 15 of 25 FG’s and made 73 of 74 PAT’s, settting the NAIA record with 162 consecutive PAT’s conversions. Wieking looks to continue his PAT streak under Hansen’s direction in the Cougars 2011 season.

In 2009 Hansen tutored freshman kicker Braden Wieking to GPAC honorable-mention honors in Wieking’s first year of varsity football. After missing his first point-after-touchdown attempt, Wieking was successful on his remaining 100 attempts, ending the season 100 of 101, a school record. Wieking was also 13 of 17 on field goals. At the NAIA National Championship Wieking was 2 for 2 on PATS and knocked in field goals of 37 yards, 41 yards and a career long 42 yarder. Wieking was named the offensive player of the game. Wieking averaged 37.4 yards per punt with a long of 55 yards.

Hansen also guided kicker Matt Lindgren to a GPAC All-Conference second team spot in 2008 and in 2004, he coached punter Mike Boen and kicker T.C. Fraser to All-American seasons. Hansen has coached four All-American punters and kickers in his career.

As a player in 1987 Hansen earned All-Conference and honorable mention All-American honors by averaging 40.3 yards per punt for the Cougars.

Jared Schwanz Defensive Line Coach 2nd Season Jared Schwanz is in his third year as defensive line coach on the USF football staff.

The 2010 season presented Schwanz with the challange of replacing two starters from a talented defensive line. Schwanz’s line responded well, helping the Cougar defense to a No. 1 national ranking in scoring defense (8.5 points per game), pass defense (113 yards per game) and total yards allowed (206.1 yards per game). Under Schwanz’s guidance, Antonio Turner, Brandon Koolstra and Jordan Carlson received GPAC all-conference recognition, while Koolstra recieved all-american honors.

In 2009, Schwanz coached three GPAC all conference players and one All-American. During 2009 the defensive line helped the Cougar defense to a No. 1 national ranking in scoring defense (10.5 points per game) and total yards (210.5 yards per game), and a No. 4 ranking in rush (63.8 yards per game) and pass defense (146.7 yards per game). The Cougars 34 sacks ranked them ninth in the nation.

Schwanz played defensive line for two seasons at Minnesota State Mankato and was named to the North Central Conference academic team both years. In 2007 he spent the season as the defensive line and tight ends coach at Minnesota State Mankato and was the defensive line coach at Southwest Minnesota State for the 2008 season.

Schwanz is a native of St. James, MN.

Coaches Isaiah Jackson Linebackers Coach/Video Coordinator 2nd Season Isaiah Jackson enters his second season as the linebackers coach as a graduate assistant on USF’s football coaching staff.

In 2010, Jackson mentored 3 GPAC all-conference players and one all-american. USF’s defense received No. 1 national rankings in scoring defense (8.5 points per game), pass defense (113 yards per game) and total yards (206.1 yards per game). Jackson coached the Cougars linebacker unit to an exceptional performance in the 10-7 defensive battle that was the 2010 NAIA championship. USF’s Eric Anderson recorded 17 tackles and 2 sacks en route to being named the NAIA national championship defensive player of the game.

As a linebacker at South Dakota State University in Brookings, Jackson earned four letters. During his four seasons as a Jackrabbit, he played in 44 games, totaled 157 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and three sacks.

In addition to being an all-region football player during his prep days at Chandler High School in Chandler, Ariz., Jackson was a state champion in track and field.

Lee Marks Running Backs Coach 2nd Season Last season, Marks’ young backfield provided USF with offensive balance, leading to a very productive season.

The Cougars earned a No. 2 naitonal ranking in scoring offense (577 points), No. 8 ranking in scoring per game (41.2 points per game) and No. 18 ranking in rushing offense (2,254). Under Marks direction, 3 backs received GPAC allconference honors and one GPAC player of the week selection.

Prior to joining USF, Marks was the assistant speed-strength and conditioning coach at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He spent three seasons on staff with the Buffaloes. Prior to CU, he spent a season as a player with the Boise Burn of the Arena Football League.

Marks was a four year contributor at Boise State University from 2002-2005. While a Bronco, he led the team in rushing two seasons, accumulating 1,773 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns over his final two seasons as a starter.

During his career he helped BSU to four bowl games, a two-time All-WAC selection and was the 2005 Offense MVP for Boise State. Marks was also a standout sprinter on the BSU track and field team.

Marks is a native of Reseda, Calif. and graduated from Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Calif. after a decorated career.

Coach Zach Dickson Tight Ends Coach/Recruiting Assistant 2nd Season Zach Dickson is in his second season as the tight ends coach and recruiting assistant within USF football graduate assistant’s program.

In Dicksons first season, USF’s tight ends played an important role in the team’s offensive sucess.. The Cougars finished the 2010 season with a No. 2 national ranking in pass efficiency (174.3), No. 4 ranking in passing offense (3,821 total yards) and No. 8 ranking in passing offense per game (272.9 yards per game). Dickson saw tight end Ausin Hove to a GPAC all-conference honorable mention.

Prior to USF, Dickson spent the last seven years in the University of Colorado-Boulder football program. Most recently, Dickson was the Recruiting & Operations Specialist for two seasons and totaled five years recruiting experience during his time as a Buffalo. During his time recruiting for CU, Dickson helped sign a Top 15 nationally rated recruiting class and 2 other classes nationally rated in the Top 35. Dickson was involved in two Big 12 Championship Games (2004 & 2005) and three Bowl Games (2004- Houston Bowl vs UTEP, 2005- Champ Sports Bowl vs Clemson, and 2007- Independence Bowl vs Alabama). Dickson got his start with CU his freshman year as an equipment manager and helped the grad assistants break down the opponent’s film. Dickson graduated from CU in 2007 with a degree in Communication.

Born in Boulder, CO, Dickson grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he graduated from Peters Township High School as a letterman in football and baseball.

Dusty Hovorka Wide Receivers Coach 2nd Season Dusty Hovorka enters his second season as the wide receivers coach at USF. In 2010, Hovorka coached Jon Ryan to a record setting season. Ryan finished the season No. 1 national ranking in scoring (144points), No. 3 ranking in receptions (81) and No. 3 ranking in total yards (1,430 reciving yards), earning him GPAC offensive player of year, College Fanz offensive player of year and NAIA player of the year honors.

Last season, Hovorka tutored 3 GPAC all-confernce receivers.

Dusty Hovorka was one of the best receivers in USF history, serving as the Cougar’s top receiver from 20032006. Hovorka set career school records for receptions (291), receiving yards (4,801) and receiving touchdowns (55).

Hovorka was a key playmaker on USF’s 2006 National Championship team.

Hovorka was a three time All-American at USF and recorded 1,000 yards receiving each of his four seasons at USF. Hovorka has spent six seasons at a standout receiver with Indoor Football League team, the Sioux Falls Storm.

Coaches Rick Thomas Asst. Defensive Backs Coach 1st Season Rick Thomas enters his first season as the assistant defensive backs coach and graduate assistant within USF’s football staff.

Prior to joining USF, Thomas was the head coach of the Boulder Bears, a youth football team in Boulder, Colo.

He also volunteered at the University of Colorado (CU), where he served as a recruiting and operations assistant.

Thomas was involved in the Buffalo’s top 15 rated recruiting class in 2008.

Thomas also served as a camp counselor for CU’s summer football camps from 2009-2011. As counselor, he mentored fourth through eighth grade athletes, developing their basic skills and fundamentals.

A native of Hermosa Beach, Calif., Thomas graduated from Mira Costa High School (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) where he lettered in football. Thomas received a bachelors of art in History from the University of Colorado in May of 2011.

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Player Profiles

Roster

2011USF Roster No. 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 44 45 47 48 51 52

Name Wieking , Braden Hanna, Carrington Ollerich, Tyler Jacobson, Calvin Hunter, Jeremiah Bonte, Nick Hicks, Michael Perkins, Taylor Jensen, Brett Taylor, Jordan Oates, Jeremiah Lupkes, Mitch Adams, Denzel Hunter, Jeremiah Pree, Angelo Mann, Donnie Heck , Adam Madsen, Brock Benedetto, Tony Virgil, Robert obert Dunbar,, Mitch Johnson, n, Jordan Shutt, Ga Garrett arrett Bearshield, eld d, Bo Tidwell, JJohn ohn n Neely, D Darren arre en Ackerman, an, n Brock Broc Br o k Graber, R Ryan yan an an Taylor, Jordan ordan Fiene, Dakota Breen, Mitch Holmes, Zach Turner, Ethan Martens, Joel White, Matt Porter, Kristian Adams, Ryan Nakamoto, Josh Rapp, Alex Tolkamp, Michael Rowe, Garrett Campbell, Thad Frericks, Michael Anderson, Eric Covey, Cameron Andersen, Brandon Halberstadt, Jesse DeBey, Corey

Year JR SO JR FR FR JR SR JR JR JR JR SR SR FR SR JR JR JR SR JR JR SO SO JR FR R JR J SO SO SO FR SO SO SR SO SO JR SR SO JR JR SO SO SO JR JR SR SR JR JR

Position Kicker Quarterback Wide Receiver Quarterback Wide Receiver Linebacker Wide Receiver Quarterback Defensive Back Running Back Wide Receiver Linebacker Defensive Back Wide Receiver Defensive Back Kicker Defensive Back Wide Receiver Wide Receiver Defensive Back Bacck Running g Backk Defensive Def effen e ensi sive Back Bac ack Wide Receiver W ide Re R ceiverr Defensive Defe De efensive Back Bacck Defensive D De fensive Back Bacck Wide de Receiver de Rec ecei ceive eive ei er Running Running Backk Back Defensive Bac ck Defensive D e ensive Back ef Bacck Running Back Running Back Linebacker Running Back Defensive Back Linebacker Running Back Linebacker Tight End Linebacker Linebacker Wide Receiver Defensive Back Defensive Back Linebacker Linebacker Linebacker Linebacker Offensive Lineman

Height 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-3 6-0 5-11 6-3 5-8 5-9 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-9 6-1 6-1 1 6-3 6 63 5-9 5--9 6-0 60 65-11 5-1 11 5-10 5-11 5 -1 11 5-11 5-7 5-8 6-0 5-10 5-8 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-11

Weight 185 215 190 195 190 195 185 210 170 215 180 210 185 190 175 180 180 180 195 180 185 18 85 180 80 210 185 180 18 80 185 205 5 185 18 85 180 0 185 175 210 220 175 227 200 200 215 215 205 195 195 185 235 220 205 230 250

Hometown Sioux Falls, SD Streetsboro, OH Presho, SD Blue Springs , MO Cheyenne, WY Garretson, SD Richmond, CA Mesa, AZ Viborg, SD South Bend, IN Orangevale, CA Rock Rapids, IA Orange, CA Cheyenne, WY Pittsburg, CA Hastings, MN Sioux Falls, SD Raymond, MN Crystal Lake, IL Grove, Elk Grov v CA Cambridge Cambrid d , MN Platte, SSD Reno, R eno, NV en Gregory, Gre reg goryy SD Aurora, CO Aurora, C Cheyenne, Cheyenn WY Montevideo, MN Montevvi Falls, SSioux io oux Fa a SD Sioux Sio ouxx Falls, Fa SD Cottonwood, MN Wagner, SD Tucson, AZ Rush City, MN Hartford, SD Billing, MT Hawarden, IA Douglas , WY Norco, CA South Sioux City, NE Lawton, IA Henderson, NV Platte, SD Crystal Lake, IL Irene, SD Galt, CA Marion, SD Norco, CA Rock Rapids, IA

Roster

2011USF Roster No. 54 55 58 58 59 62 64 66 67 71 72 74 75 77 78 79 80 81 83 84 85 87 88 90 93 96 97 99

Name Swanson, Tyler Leegaard, Korben Harris, Chris Welbig, Brennan McCollough, Jordan Staton, Sheldon Studie, Jonathon Vlotho, Jared Peters, Casey Saggese, Marco Johnson, Devin Surgant, JT Bannister, Sheku Marquez, Erick Dooyema, Sam Casey, Kevin Sailors, Spencer Klein, Taylor ayylor Henry, JD D VanHove, e, Austin Sandifer,r,, Brian Brriiaan Benson,, Braden Braden Johannsen, sen, Tait Tait Delaney, y, Derek y, De erek Culp, Royce oyyc yce Hartley, C Cory oryy Grabbe, JJarrett Medlock, Jameel Ahlers, Carter Brown , Austin Cihak, Josh Dick, Christian Fuhrman, Brady Hlushak, Joseph Krumbach, Eli Landecker, Luke Lewallen, Zach Lewis, Stephen Lukes, Zach

Year SO SO SO SO SO FR SO JR SR JR SR FR SR JR SO FR SO JR FR JR SO JR SO SO FR R SR SR JR FR JR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR

Position Offensive Lineman Defensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Linebacker Offensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Defensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Offensive Lineman Tight End Tight End Tightt En EEnd nd TTight ig ght End Wide Wid de Receiver R ceiverr Re Wide W Wi ide Receiverr Tight EEnd nd nd Defensive Defe De Defe fensive Lineman fen Line Line Li eman Defensive Lineman Line eman Defensive D De fensive Lineman Line em maan Defensive D f i Lineman Li Defensive Lineman Linebacker Quarterback Linebacker Tight End Running Back Running Back Wide Receiver Offensive Lineman Defensive Lineman Linebacker Linebacker

Height 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-4 6 -4 4 6-4 64 65-11 5-1 - 1 6-3 6 -3 6-5 6-5 5 6-5 6-2 6-2 6 2 6-2 6-0 6-5 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-9 6-1 6-1 6-2 5-10 5-10

Weight 290 280 230 200 300 335 250 295 275 300 290 284 320 314 240 270 250 250 25 50 220 2 22 20 235 195 185 18 85 230 0 275 240 2 40 200 200 00 300 250 185 190 190 193 182 175 177 307 230 195 180

Hometown Grand Island, NE Gillette, WY Ripon, CA Dell Rapids, SD Cheyenne, WY Dallas, TX Douglas , WY Hawarden, IA Little Rock, IA Downey, CA Richmond, CA St. Louis, MO East Palo Alto, CA Nogales, AZ Luverne, MN La Habra, CA Luverne, MN Murrieta, Murrieta a CA CO Parker, C Garretson, G Ga rretso o SD Brooklyn Bro ook o lyn Park, MN Gillette G illle l tte , WY Wagner,r, SD Wagner Neligh, NE N Imperial, CA Imperial Rapid Rap Ra pid d City, Ci SD Blair, B l i NE Sacramento, CA Flandreau, sD Buffalo, WY Dante, SD Greeley, CO Warner, SD Loveland, CO Parker, SD Pequot Lakes, MN Sioux Falls, SD Sioux Falls, SD Garretson, SD

Roster

2011USF Roster cont.

No.

Name Ostrom, Cameron Pettyplace, Chris Sparish, Micheal St.Pierre, Solomon Taylor, Thomas Wilson, Clint

Coaching Staff Name Jed Stugart Robert Tucker Ryan Grubb Jon Anderson Casey Meile Jared Schwanz Al Hansen Isaiah Jackson arrks Lee Marks icckson Zach Dickson Dusty Hovorka ho omas Rick Thomas

Year FR FR FR FR JR FR

Position Linebacker Offensive Lineman Defensive Lineman Defensive Back Defensive Back Linebacker

Height 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-8 6-1

Position Years At USF Head Coach 2 Asst. Head Coach 2 Offensive Coordinator 5 Defensive Coordinator 10 Offensive Line Coach 2 Defensive Line Coach 3 Kicking Coach 13 Linebackers Coach 2 Running Backs Baccks Coach 2 Coach Tight Ends Coach 2 de Receivers de Re ecceive eiiv ve ers rs Coach Coa oach ch Wide 2 A sst. D ef. Ba ack cks Co C a h 1 ac Asst.

Def. Backs Coach

Weight 190 210 200 170 190 220

Hometown Buffalo, WY Citrus Heights, CA St. Paul, MN Wagner, SD Norco, CA Piedmont, SD

Pronounciation Guide #75 Shay-coo Bannister # Josh See-hawk #78 Sam Doi-ma #97 Jarrett Grab #51 Jesse Hal-bahr-stat #38 Josh nah-kah-moto #14 Tyler Ol-rich #71 Marco Sa-guess-e #74 JT Sir-gahnt #66 Jared Ja Vlo toe Vlo-toe #1 Braden Bra raden We-king

Profiles Braden Wieking

Carrington Hanna

#1 Kicker/Punter Jr. • 6-0 • 195 • 2L Sioux Falls, SD (Sioux Falls Christian)

#2 Quarterback So. • 6-2 • 215 Streetsboro, Ohio (California Pa. )

2010: Voted a team captain as a sophomore... made 15 of 25 field goals in 2010, with a long of 44 yards…only missed PAT (point after touchdown) of his 73 attempts in 2010 was a blocked try in the playoffs… booted 45 punts an average of 37.7 yards, including five of 50+ yards and a long of 58 yards…showed extreme accuracy with 18 punts downed inside the 20 yard line (40% of punts)...

National honors candidate: Named to Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award watch list-given to the top collegiate place kicker based on excellence on the football filed and in the community… Wore number 15 last year before changing to 1 for the 2010 season.

2009: Played 15 games as a true freshman…set school and NAIA records with 139 points scored: made 13 of 17 field goal attempts and 100 of 101 extra point attempts…recorded one tackle…USF Special Teams Player of the Year…named All-GPAC Honorable Mention and twice GPAC Player of the Week for Doane and Morningside quarterfinal games…11-point (3 FG and 2 PAT) effort earned him National Championship Offensive Player of the Game…VSN Second Team All-American…

High School: First player to receive college football scholarship from Sioux Falls Christian High School... two-time First Team All-American and four-time First Team All-State...National Soccer Player of the Year for Christian Schools…National Honor Society…

Personal: Has three brothers, Brett, Blake and Bryant…Business Administration major

California Univ. of Penn.: Member of the honor roll and a scholar athlete…redshirted 2009 season... rushed for 15 yards during his red-shirt freshman season...

High School: Three year letterman, two time allstate and all-conference selection…had over 4,200 yards and 54 touchdowns in his final two seasons…passed for 1,500 yards and rushed for 1,000 as a senior...totaled 30 scores as a senior….as a junior passed for 800 yads and rushed for a 1,000 while finding the endzone 23 times… playing receiver as a sophomore, he grabbed 150 yards receiving and three touchdowns…graduated top 10 in his class and an all-academic conference honoree all four years…member of the national honor society…an all-state player in basketball and letterman in baseball…

Personal: Pre-Medicine major

Tyler Ollerich #3 Wide Receiver Jr. • 6-3 • 190 2L Presho, SD (Lyman H.S.) 2010: Played in eight games as a back-up to First Team All-GPAC quarterback Jon Eastman…Ollerich completed 23 of 34 pass attempts (67.6%) on the season, totalling 283 yards and four touchdowns to no interceptions…had arguably his best game in a 66-21 win at Briar Cliff, connecting on eight of 12 passes for 119 yards and two touchdown strikes…was perfect on the day in a 66-13 win over Doane college, completing all five pass attempts for 77 yards and a touchdown…other touchdown pass came in a 63-3 win over Dakota Wesleyan University…

2009: Appeared in two games but did not record any statistics except participation…

2008: Redshirted High School: Named All-State…three-time AllConference in football and basketball... Argus Leader Elite 45…also on track team…

Personal: Has four sisters, Michelle, Leslie, Traci and Tamara...Exercise Science major with Business minor.

Profiles Calvin Jacobson

Michael Hicks

#4 Quarterback Fr. • 6-2 • 195 Blue Springs, MO (Blue Springs South H.S.)

#6 Wide Receivers Sr. • 5-11 • 185 • 1L Richmond, CA (Contra Costa College)

Blue Springs South H.S.: Completed 57% of his passes during his senior season, accumulating 2,280 yards and 20 touchdowns to five interceptions…as a junior he completed 61% of his passes for 2,856 games and 13 touchdowns with 12 interceptions..

Personal: Business Administration major

2010: Played in 14 games recording 8 carries for 60 yards, 36 receptions for 377 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Michael was a major contributor on special teams with 5 tackles, 1 kick return for 9 yards, and 25 punt returns for 288 yards, an average of 20.6 yards per return. He was an Honorable Mention All GPAC selection for Punt Returning.

2009: Contra Costa College Razorback teammate of USF offensive lineman, Devin Johnson #72.

High School: Played football, baseball and track for the El Cerrito HS Gauchos… named two-time AllEastbay and First Team West County.

Personal: Has three sisters, Laneesha Farr, Alexandria Hicks, and Maya Felder…Sociology major.

Nick Bonte

Taylor Perkins

#5 Linebacker Jr. • 6-0 • 195 • 2L Garretson, SD (South Dakota St. Univ.)

#7 Quarterback Jr. • 6-1 • 210 Mesa, AZ (New Mexico State Univ.)

2010: In his first year as a starter, Bonte earned Second Team All-Great Plains Athletic Conference recognition…he finished fourth on the team with 48 total tackles, including eight for a loss, with two sacks, two interceptions, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one pass break-up… recorded his two sacks of the season in back-to-back games, the first in a 66-21 win over Briar Cliff followed by sack that resulted in a six yard loss against then-No. 4 Morningside College…also had a season-high three tackles for a loss in the 28-3 win over the Mustangs…recorded a season-high seven tackles in a 66-13 win over Doane College.

2009: Played in 14 games as a freshman, recording 23.5 tackles, five for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery…

High School: Named All-State... Argus Leader Elite 45 Honorable Mention... State Class B Wrestling Champion...also played baseball…

Personal: Has two brothers, Dan and Brady...

Business Administration and Accounting double major.

New Mexico St. Univ.: Redshirted for the Aggies in 2010...

Mesa Community College (Meza, Ariz.): Threw for 2,955 yards and 16 touchdowns, and rushed for 685 yards and 6 touchdowns...played in the JC All-American game, going 12-19 with 196 yards...

High School: Three-year letterman and a twoyear captain at Red Mountain High School in (Mesa, Ariz.)...currently has the highest winning percentage of any quarterback in RMHS history...all-District, all-State, and an honorable mention selection...finished with 2,900 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, and 855 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Also competed in track & field, receiving all-state recognition for long jumping. Three-year academic honor roll and National Honor Society member...

Personal: Exercise Science major

USFCougars.com

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What you need to get it done!

Profiles Brett Jensen

Jeremiah Oates

#8 Denfensive Back Jr. • 5-10 • 170 • 2L Viborg, SD (Viborg H.S.)

#10 Wide Receiver Jr. • 6-3 • 180 Orangevale, CA (Sacramento City College)

2010: Earned his spot as a starter in several games during the season…tied for the fifth most tackles on the team with 33.5 stops…made two stops behind the line of scrimmage…totalled three pass deflections and two pass break-ups with his lone interception coming in a 66-21 win at Briar Cliff University…tallied a career-high eight tackles against BCU and in a 34-10 at Hastings...also contributed heavily on special teams…

2009: Played in three games primarily on special teams….had three tackles…

2008: Redshirted Personal: Has one brother, Aaron...Exercise Science major

Sacramento City College: Made 85 receptions for 1,240 yards (14.6 yards per catch) and 12 scores as a sophomore as the Panthers were 6-5…an all-conference selection...had 50 receptions for 835 yards (16.7 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns as a freshman...AllCalifornia Region 1I Offensive Player of the Year....AllCalifornia Region 1I First Team Offense...

Capital Christian H.S.: Named first team allconference in offense and second team in defense…as a senior made 55 tackles, six interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one fumble caused…had 36 receptions for 694 yards and seven scores…also participated in basketball and volleyball…was named MVP in volleyball and defensive MVP in basketball...

Personal: Theology major

Jordan Taylor #9 Runningback Jr. • 6-1 • 215 2L Southbend, IN (Marshall Univ.)

2010: Finished second on the team with 535 rush yards, averaging 4.6 yards per rush, and five rushing touchdowns in his first year at USF…scored his first collegiate touchdown in a 37-7 win over Midland College… scored USF’s lone touchdown in a 10-7 loss to Carroll College in the NAIA National Championship Game…also had touchdowns in wins over Doane College, Briar Cliff University and Dordt…had one 100+ yard performance on the season, taking 16 carries for 104 yards in a 44-7 win at Concordia (Neb.)…

Marshall University: 2009: Appeared in seven games for the Thundering Herd…2008: Redshirted…

High School: Carried the St. Joseph Indians to a 12-2 record and the 2007 Indiana Class 3-A State Title Game…finished as the leading rusher in the state with 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns…named All-Northern Indiana Conference First Team and MVP of the Northern Indiana Conference…South Bend Tribune named him to their All-Area Team and Dream Team…Rivals.com rated him as a two star prospect

Mitch Lupkes #11 Linebacker Sr. • 6-0 • 195 • 3L Rock Rapids, IA (Central Lyon H.S.) 2010: Made five solo and five unassisted tackles in a reserve linebacker role…tallied season-high three tackles in a 37-7 win at Midland University…

2009: Played in 13 games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams… had 17.5 tackles, 2.5 for a loss…

2008: Saw extensive special teams time and at. linebacker...played in 11 games…had six tackles 2007: Redshirted…

Personal: Has two brothers and one sister…Elementary Education major.

Profiles Denzel Adams

Angelo Pree

#12 Denfensive Back Sr. • 5-11 • 185 • 1L Orange, CA (Santa Ana Jr. College)

#15 Defensive Back Sr. • 5-8 • 165 •1L Pittsburg, CA (Lyman H.S.)

2010: Made a handful of starts during his first season on campus…tallied seven tackles with two interceptions, four pass deflections and two pass breakups…made a season-high four tackles in a 66-13 win against Doane College…

Santa Ana Junior College: Named Special Teams Player of the Year and Most Improved Player as a sophomore…named Rookie of the Year as a freshman…

High School: Defensive MVP for the El Modena HS Vanguards…named Second Team All-CIF and First Team All-League…

Personal: Has one brother, Jeffrey and three sisters, Jasmine Adams, Denesha Turner and Precious Adams…Criminal Justice major…

2010: In his first year at USF, Pree took over a starting cornerback spot…he tallied 31 stops with 1.5 tackles for a loss…led team in both pass break-ups and pass deflections, with nine in each category…also forced a fumble…recorded a season-high seven tackles in a 10-7 loss to Carroll College in the national title game…

Sacramento City College: Played 10 games at cornerback…had 53 tackles, 1 for a loss, led team with 3 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries- one returned for a touchdown…helped lead the panthers to the Mid-Empire Co-Championship… named Mid-Empire All-Conference…

High School: Three year starter for the Mt. Diablo Red Devils in Pittsburg CA…played running back, receiver, cornerback and returned kicks…named AllLeague.

Personal: Has 13 siblings…Criminal Justice major

Jeremiah Hunter #14 Wide Receiver Fr. • 6-3 • 190 Cheyenne, WY (East H.S.) High School: Attended the same school that produced current USF football players Darren Neely and Jordan McCollough...made 60 receptions for 975 yards for a 16.3 yard average with nine touchdowns during his senior season...earned all-state recognition.

Over his career, Hunter reeled in 96 receptions for 1,562 yards and 13 scores and also handed punting duties for the Thunderbirds. Hunter is a talented hurdler, jumper and sprinter and will compete for the USF T&F team... crowned triple-jump state champion..

Personal: Has one brother, Josh...Political Science major, with a professional goal of being a lawyer.

Donnie Mann #16 Kicker Jr. • 5-9 • 180 Hastings, MN (Hastings H.S.) 2010: Played in 4 games, recording 2 for 2 on PAT’s.

High school: Played football, soccer and hockey for the Raiders…named All-Conference.

Personal: Has two brothers, Judd and Richard...

Business Administration major with Entrepreneurial Studies minor.

USFCougars.com

Profiles Adam Heck

Tony Benedetto

#17 Defensive Back Jr. • 6-0 • 180 • 2L Sioux Falls, SD (Washington H.S.)

#19 Wide Receiver Sr. • 6-0 • 195 3L Crystal Lake, IL (Bemidji State Univ.)

2010: Led the team with three interceptions on the season, combining for 89 return yards…totalled 11 tackles and three pass deflections as well…third interception came in the NAIA semi-final game against MidAmerica Nazarene, grabbing a pass in the endzone to protect the shutout in a 38-0 win…also returned an interception 70 yards against Dakota Wesleyan University.

2009: As a true freshman, played in four games primarily on special teams …had 7.5 tackles and one forced fumble…

High school: Helped lead the Warriors to backto-back State AA Championships in 2007 and 2008… voted team captain…named Honorable Mention AllAmerican…Argus Leader Elite 45…South Dakota Old Spice/Red Zone Player of the Year…Argus Leader Academic All-Star…

Personal: Has one sister, Kari, and one brother, Andy...Biology major.

Brock Madsen #18 Wide Receiver Jr. • 5-11 • 180 • 2L Raymond, MN (McCray H.S.) 2010: Finished the season fourth on the team in both receptions (23) and receiving yards (251)…averaged 10.9 yards per reception…made a career-best seven receptions for 66 yards in a 63-21 win at Briar Cliff…previous career-best was set a few weeks prior in a 66-13 win over Doane College, taking five receptions 53 yards.

2009: Played in 10 games… caught six passes for 89 yards and one touchdown… had eight tackles and one blocked kick on special teams 2008: Redshirted... Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year High School: named All-State… All-Conference three years... also played basketball, track, and baseball...

NHS. Personal: son of John and Brenda Madsen...one sister, Brittney and two brothers, Brandon and Brady...

Exercise Science major with Chemistry minor...

2010: Made 17 receptions for 214 and three scores during his junior season…averaged 12.6 yards per reception…touchdown receptions came in wins over Doane College, Hastings and in a first round playoff game against Northwestern Oklahoma State University…had season-best three receptions in wins over Midland College and McKendree University.

2009: Saw limited action due to injury… came off the bench as a reserve wide receiver and on special teams…returned two punts against Dordt, including one for 47 yards…had one tackle.

2008: Played in seven games…had 6 receptions for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns…

2007: Transferred from Bemidji State…

Personal: Has three sisters, Julianna, Theresa and Grace and two brothers, Vance and Nick- former USF defensive back…Biology/Secondary Education major.

Robert Virgirl #20 Defensive Back Jr. • 6-1 • 180 Elk Grove, CA (Sacramento City C.C.) Sacramento City Community College: Recorded 86 tackles, 54 solo tackles and four interceptions during the 2010 season...also forced a fumble, blocked a kick and scored a touchdown...named first team allconference defensive back...All-Calfiornia Region 1I First Team Defense.

Capital Christian H.S.: Named second team all-metro as a wide receiver and first team all-Golden Empire League as both a wide receiver and defensive back in 2007…tallied 104 tackles, two interceptions and recovered three fumbles as a senior…had four games with 10-plus tackles, including 19 against Golden Sierra and 17 vs. Lindhurst…made 41 receptions for 861 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver…caught at least one pass in all 12 games…scored 18 touchdowns on the year...rushed for 376 yards and three touchdowns....averaged over 12 yards per carry...

Personal: born August 8, 1990 in Sacramento, Calif….intends on majoring in Sports Management at USF…

Profiles Mitch Dunbar

Garrett Shutt

#22 Runningback Jr. • 5-9 • 185 • 2L Cambridge, MN (Cambridge-Isanti H.S.)

#24 Wide Receiver Fr. • 6-3 • 200 • 1L Reno, NV (Galena H.S.)

2010: Played in eight games as a reserve running back...averaged 8.7 yards on 29 rushes for 251 yards and 1 touchdown.

2009: Played in six games as a reserve running back and on special teams…averaged 5.2 yards on 30 rushes for 166 yards and 4 touchdowns…rushed for 25 yards and 2 touchdowns against Concordia and rushed for 74 yards and 1 touchdown against Doane...had 1 reception for 11 yards…

High school: Named All-Conference and AllSection in football and baseball...team captain in football and basketball…Student Council…National Honor Society.

Personal: Has two brothers, Joe and Peter…English Literature and Secondary Education major

2010: Redshirted.

2009 - High School: Played 13 games for the Grizzlies…as a receiver and punt returner, produced 1,287 all-purpose yards and scored 15 touchdowns… as a defensive back, led team with 62 tackles and 4 interceptions…helped lead them to a Nevada Regional Final appearance…named 2009 Nevada First Team AllState…All-Region Offensive Player of the Year…Nevada Old Spice/Red Zone Player of the Year.

Personal: Has one sister, Nicole…major is undeclared.

Jordan Johnson #23 Denfensive Back So. • 6-1 • 170 • 2L Platte, SD (Platte-Geddes H.S.) 2010: made 7.5 tackles in a reserve defensive back role…blocked a kick in a 63-3 win over Dakota Wesleyan University.

2009: Redshirted.

High School: Had over 300 career tackles… helped lead the Black Panthers to the 2008 State 11B Semi-Finals...two-time team MVP…named two-time All-State in football and basketball… four-time AllConference in football, basketball, baseball and track…

Argus Leader Elite 45...selected to South Dakota All-Star game…All-American nominee in football Personal: Has two sisters... Media Studies major

Bo Bearshield #25 Defensive Back Jr. • 5-9 • 180 2L Gregory, SD (Gregory H.S.) 2010: Played in six games as a reserve defensive back and on special teams...recorded one solo tackle, six assists, one TFL and one fumble recovery...

High School: Leading tackler and second leading rusher helped the Gators reach the 2009 Illinois 7A Playoffs…Team MVP and three-time team captain and Defensive MVP…named two-time All-Conference…AllArea First Team…All Star Game nominee… voted one of the “Top 20 Players in Illinois” …named a “Top Five Players to Watch” by Northwest Herald…Honor Roll.

Personal: Has one sister, Amanda and one brother, Brett…Psychology major.

Profiles John Tidwell

Ryan Graber

#26 Defensive Back Fr. • 6-0 • 180 Aurora, CO (Rangeview H.S.)

#28 Defensive Back Fr. • 5-11 • 185 • 1L Sioux Falls, SD (O’Gorman H.S.)

Rangeview H.S.: Helped lead the Raiders to an 11-2 record as a senior...had 37 receptions for 517 yards with 11 TDs, seven rushes for 123 yards with 1 TD...returned 7 punts for 200 yards and 7 kickoffs for 260 yards...tallied 37 tackles and 8 interceptions for 230 yards with 4 TDs...selected first team All-Colorado...first team all-conference as a defensive back and on special teams…first team all-city defensive back…three year letter winner in baseball and one year letter winner in basketball…four year honor roll student with a 4.0+ grade point average.

Personal: Accounting major

Darren Neely #27 Wide Receiver Jr. • 5-11 • 185 • 2L Cheyenne, WY (Cheyenne East H.S.) 2010: Wore number 89 last year before changing to 27…played in five games gained 95 yards on eight receptions for an 11.9 yard average and one touchdown.

2009: A member of the team but did not record any receptions.

High School: Named All-State...Wyoming Super 25...All-State track & field...also played basketball.

Personal: Has one sister, Hannah Neely...English and Education double major.

2010: redshirted 2009 - High School: Played football for the first time as a senior for the Knights…named First Team AllState, two-time Second Team All-State, and Third Team All-State in soccer.

Personal: Business and Sports Science double major.

Thomas Taylor #29 Defensive Back Jr. • 5-8 • 190 Norco,CA (Riverside Comm. College) Norco H.S.: Led their defensive back field.. recorded 11 career interceptions...set school record with 92-yard punt return..earned 1st team all-conference and 2nd team all-league honors...voted most school spirit and nominated homecoming king senior year...

Personal: Has one brother and three sisters... coached a youth football team..Criminal Justice major

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Profiles Dakota Fiene

Zach Holmes

#30 Runningback So. • 5-7 • 175 Cottonwood, MN (Lakeview H.S.)

#32 Linebacker Sr. • 6-1 • 210 • 1L Tucson, AZ (Arizona Western College)

2010: 2010: A member of the team but didn’t record any statistics 2009: Redshirted…High School: Team captain and offensive MVP for the Lakers…named three-time All-Area and two-time All-Conference…selected to Minnesota All-Star game.

Personal: Has four sisters and three brothers...

Business major.

2010: Played in 11 games during his first season at USF… recorded 18 solo and five assisted tackles to a total 23 stops...picked two passes off, taking one back 29 yards for a score in a 28-3 win over then-No. 4 Morningside…blocked one kick…recorded his season-high tackle count in a 44-7 win at Concordia University (Neb.).

Arizona Western College: Named All- Western States Football League…three-time WSFL Player of the Week….NJCAA Player of the Week…led the Matadors with 89 tackles, including 11 tackles and 3 sacks against Snow College… helped lead them to 2009 WSFL along with USF defensive lineman, Royce Culp #93…. also had 12 tackles and 5 sacks as a freshman.

High School: Named All-State…All-Conference at Sunnyside HS…Arizona Linebacker of the Year.

Personal: Has one sister…Exercise Science major

Mitch Breen #31 Running Back Fr. • 5-8 • 175 Wagner, SD (Wagner H.S.) 2010: Redshirted.

2009 High School: Multiple 1,000 yard rusher helped lead the Red Raiders to the 2009 State Class 11B Semi-Finals…two-time offensive MVP and defensive leader … Named All-State…two-time All-Conference…

Argus Leader Elite 45…2009 State Class B Wrestling Champion…All-State Chorus…FFA. Personal: Has four siblings…Business major

Profiles Joel Martens

Kristian Porter

#34 Defensive Back So. • 5-8 • 175 Hartford, SD (Tri-Valley H.S.)

#36 Runningback Sr. • 6-0 • 200 • 3L Hawarden, IA (West Sioux H.S.)

2010: Earned playing time in three games as a true freshman…got first career interception in the 66-21 win at Briar Cliff…credited with one tackle and one pass break-up.

High School: Named All-State…All-Conference…helped the Mustangs to the State 11B Runner-Up in 2009 and back-to-back State Championships in 2007 and 2008…South Dakota All-Star Game participant… also played baseball and track…Academic All-State…

National Honor Society…Honor Roll.

Personal: Has one sister and three brothers…

Biology major

2010: Played in 14 games taking 89 carries for 466 yards and four touchdowns….averaged 5.2 yard per carry…had his best game of the season with 108 yards rushing, 53 receiving yards and three total touchdowns in a 27-7 win over McKendree in the second round of the playoffs…his other two scores came in wins over Dakota Wesleyan and Concordia (Neb.)…established as a receiver, taking 19 receptions for 173 yards and four scores… also returned one kick 27 yards and made a tackle on special teams...for his efforts, Porter received GPAC Honorable Mention honors.

2009:Played in 12 games during USF’s 15-0 National Championship season… averaged 8.8 yards on 72 rushes, totaling 644 yards and 5 touchdowns… had 9 rushes for 87 yards and two touchdowns during a 63-21 win over Minot State in the first round, followed by 8 rushes for 132 yards and one touchdown against Morningside in the second round…also had 6.5 tackles on special teams.

2008: Played in 11 games, averaging 7.6 yards on 38 rushes for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns...named USF’s Freshman of the Year.

High School: Named two-time First-Team AllConference…Honorable Mention All-Conference…

Academic All-State…National Honor Society…Student Council Personal: Has three siblings, Signe, Courtney, and Zac, sister-in-law, Megan...Exercise Science major with Business minor.

Matt White #35 Linebacker Jr. • 6-1 • 227 Billings, MT (Iowa Central C.C.) Iowa Central Community College: made 89 tackles, one sack, one interception and fumble recovery as a sophomore...played for Kevin Twait…named allleague during his time at ICCC. Billings West H.S.: first team all-state linebacker and second team all-state fullback…made 127 tackles as a senior…had back-to-back nine win seasons as a junior and senior under coach Paul Blaboe…also participated in track and wrestling…, earning all-state honors in the shotput… Personal: born Oct. 25, 1989 in Billings, Mont….intends on majoring in Education at USF…

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Profiles Ryan Adams

Alex Rapp

#37 Linebacker So. • 6-0 • 200 • 1L Douglas, WY (Douglas H.S.)

#40 Linebacker Jr. • 6-0 • 215 • 2L South Sioux City, NE (South Sioux City H.S.)

2010: Played a back-up role during his second season on campus.

2009: Redshirted.

High School: Helped lead the Bearcats to the 2008 4A State Championship… named All-State…threetime All-Conference…Wyoming Shrine Game participant …Wyoming Scholar Athlete Award…National Honor Society…graduated first in his class.

Personal: Has two sisters, Tina and Ashley, and one brother, Seth...Elementary/Special Education major

2010: Saw limited action, playing in one game and breaking-up one pass.

2009: A member of the team but did not see any game action due to injury.

High school: Named All-District…All-Metro…

All-Conference...also played basketball and track & field ...National Honor Society...Student Council Personal: Has two brothers, Eric and Zach...

Criminal Justice major.

Josh Nakamoto

Michael Tolkamp

#38 Tight End Jr. • 6-1 • 215 Norco, CA (Portland State University)

#41 Linebacker Fr. • 6-4 • 220 Lawton, IA (Lawton Bronson H.S.)

Portland State University: Nakamoto was a two year lettermen at Portland State University, earning special teams player of the year as a freshman.

High School: member of the cougars back to back C.I.F. championship football team. Nakamoto earned 1st team all-league honors while prepping at Norco High School.

Personal: Has one sister...criminal justice major

2010: Redshirted High School: Played defensive end and running back for the Eagles...All-State…two-time Iowa All-District 1A-1 First Team…also played basketball and track…

Honor Roll.

Personal: Has one sister, Laura…major is undecided.

Profiles Garrett Rowe

Michael Fredricks

#42 Wide Receiver Fr. • 5-11 • 195 Henderson, NV (Coronado H.S.)

#44 Defensive Back Jr. • 6-2 • 185 2L Crystal Lake, IL (Crystal Lake South H.S.)

2010: Redshirted High School: Played football, basketball and track for the Cougars….team MVP in football…holds school track record…All-State Choir…Honor choir.

Personal: Has two sisters…major is undeclared

Thad Campbell #43 Defensive Back Fr. • 6-0 • 195 • 1L Platte, SD (Platte-Geddes H.S.) 2010: Redshirted 2009 - High School: Played running back and outside linebacker for the Black Panthers…named AllState…All-Conference…South Dakota HS All-Star Game participant...Argus Leader Elite 45.

Personal: major is undeclared.

2010: played in 13 games, helping USF to a No. 1 national ranking in both scoring defense and pass defense…recorded 22 solo and 10 assisted tackles to total 32 stops…also had one tackle for a loss and one pass break-up.

2009: As a true freshman, played in 11 games primarily on special teams… returned a punt for a touchdown and a 58-yard interception for a touchdown against Concordia … also had 16 tackles…named Scout Team Defensive MVP. High School: Helped lead the Gators to the Illinois 7A Semi-Finals… named All-State Honorable Mention...All-Conference...All-Area… Academic High Honors.

Personal: Has one brother, Brian, and one sister, Haley…major is undeclared

Eric Anderson #45 Linebacker Jr. • 6-1 • 232 2L Irene, SD (Irene Wakonda H.S.) 2010: Had a break-out season during his first year as a starter…played in 14 games and tied for the team-lead with 64.5 tackles and four fumble recoveries…recorded 48 solo tackles, 33 assisted tackles, five sacks, two interceptions and forced three fumbles…also made nine stops behind the line of scrimmage….made 12.5 tackles and two sacks to earn Russell Athletic/ NAIA National Championship Defensive Player of the Game…

All-GPAC Honorable Mention selection.

2009: Played in six games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams …totaled 10 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, and 1 sack.

2008: Redshirted...named Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year.

High School: Team MVP in football and basketball…named two-time All-State Honorable Mention… three-time First Team All-Conference…Argus Leader Elite 45…All-State and four-time All-Conference in basketball...Mr. basketball Semi-Finalist...Honor Roll….

Personal: Has one brother, Brett...Elementary Education major.

Profiles Cameron Covey

Jesse Halberstadt

#47 Linebacker Sr. • 6-0 • 220 • 2L Galt, CA (Yuba College)

#51 Linebacker Jr. • 6-0 • 230 Norco, CA (Glendale Comm. College)

2010: Saw limited action as a reserve linebacker.

2009: A member of the team but did not see any game action due to injury.

Yuba College: Helped the 49ers earn #3 defensive ranking in CA… named All-Bay Valley Conference in 2008.

High School: Played football, basketball and track for the Galt HS Warriors, Named All-Sacramento, All-Stockton…two-time All-Conference.

Personal: Psychology major

Glendale Community College: made 42 tackles and 22.5 tackles for a loss last year...First All-State Region 4…first team all-conference…selected as “Defensive Lineman of the Year” and led Southern California Junior Colleges with 13.5 sacks…had four sacks and seven tackles for a loss in a game against Pasadena CC.

Brandon Andersen

Corey DeBey

#48 Linebacker Sr. • 6-0 • 200 • 3L Marion, SD (Marion H.S.)

#52 Offensive Line Jr. • 5-11 • 250 Rock Rapids, IA (Central Lyon H.S.)

2010: In his first year as a starter, Andersen played in all 14 games recording 24 solo tackles and 17 assisted to total 41 stops...had a season-high 10 stops in a 27-7 win over McKendree University in the first round of the playoffs…finished second on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss…also had two sacks, one interception and one pass break-up.

2009: Earned playing time as a reserve linebacker and on special teams during USF’s 15-0 National Championship season…totaled 3.5 tackles, including one for a loss.

2008: Contributed on special teams recording two tackles.

2007: Redshirted Personal: Has one brother, Blake- senior linebacker #94, and one sister, Kaycee...Business Administration major.

2010: Wore number 60 last year before changing to 52..started the season at left guard...moved to center for the Morningside game and kept the job for the remainder of the season...contributed to one of the nation’s most efficient offenses that averaged 161.1 yards rushing, 272.9 yards passing and 41.2 points per game...

2009: Had first career start against Briar Cliff… reserve member of the Cougar offensive line that paved the way for three team records: 3,842 yards rushing, 7,313 yards total offense and 775 points scored.

2008: Redshirted.

High School: Named First Team All-State…First Team All-District…also played basketball, baseball and track.

Personal: Has one brother, Jarod and one sister, Heather…Criminal Justice major

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Profiles Tyler Swanson

Chris Harris

#54 Offensive Line So. • 6-1 • 286 • 1L Grand Island, NE (Grand Island Sr. H.S.)

#58 Offensive Lineman So. • 6-3 • 230 Ripon, CA (Modesto J.C.)

2010: Earned valuable experience as a reserve right guard during the season.

High School: Helped lead the Islanders to the Nebraska Class A state Quarterfinals…team captain and squad leader…named Honorable Mention All-District…

Academic letterwinner…National Honor Society…Honor Roll.

Personal: Has one sister, Nikki…Education and Biology double major.

Modesto J.C.: Helped lead the Pirates to an 8-3 record last year...coached by Sam Young.

High School: totaled 48 tackles and a fumble recovery as a senior...helped lead the 11-2 Central Catholic Raiders to the section championship and state championship runner-up as a junior...coached by Mike Glines and Robert Canepa…also participated in track…a scholar athlete...

Personal: Business major

Korben Leegaard #55 Defensive Line So. • 6-0 • 270 • 1L Gillette, WY (Campbell County H.S.) 2010: Reserve nose tackle during the season.

2009: Redshirted.

High school: Team captain helped lead the Camels to the 2008 5A State Championship…named AllState and All-Conference...Second Team Wyoming Super 25…also wrestled.

Personal: Has two sisters, Kelsey and Kayleigh...

Exercise Science major.

Profiles Jordan McCollough

Jonathon Studie

#59 Offensive Lineman So. • 6-5 • 300 • 1L Cheyenne, WY (Cheyenne East H.S.)

#64 Offensive Lineman So. • 6-2 • 250 1L Douglas, WY (Douglas H.S.)

2010: Earned more playing time as a reserve member of the offensive line helping the offense acquire a 41.2 point per game average.

2009: Redshirted.

High school: Helped the Thunderbirds to the 2007 Wyoming Class 4A State Championship… named All State…All-Conference...Wyoming Super 25…Wyoming Shrine Bowl Captain...Play It Smart Athlete of the Month.

Personal: Has one sister, Morgan...Criminal Justice major

Sheldon Staton #62 Offensive Lineman So. • 6-2 • 335 Dallas, TX (Langston University) High school: High school: Received all-city honors in both athletics and academics...a member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Has one brother, Sharldon...Nursing major.

2010: Reserve offensive lineman who saw limited action, registering time in 2 games. Apart of the unit that help the offense acquire 2,254 yards rushing and 24 rushing touchdowns.

2009: Redshirted.

High school: Helped lead the Bearcats to the 2008 3A State Championship…named two-time AllConference in football and basketball...also on the track team.

Personal: Has two brothers...Nursing major

Jared Viotho #66 Offensive Lineman Jr. • 6-2 • 295 2L Hawarden, IA (West Sioux H.S.) 2010: Started at right guard all 14 games as a sophomore..helped the Coo become the number 2 ranked offense in the nation 2009: A member of the team but did not see any game action due to injury.

2008: A member of the team.

High School: Named First Team All-State…First Team All-District as a junior…Honorable Mention AllConference as a sophomore…two-time High Honor Roll…Student Council.

Personal: Has four brothers, Jade Lynn, Jake Vlotho, Mike Gazaty, and Windy Gazaty...Business Administration major with Entrepreneurial Studies minor.

USFCougars.com

Profiles Casey Peters

Devin Johnson

#67 Offensive Lineman Sr. • 6-3 • 275 • 3L Little Rock, IA (George-Little Rock H.S.)

#72 Offensive Lineman Sr. • 6-2 • 290 • 1L Richmond, CA (Contra Costa College)

2010: Voted a team captain as a junior. Key offensive lineman for the Cougars...played three positions on the line.Helped one of the nation’s most efficient offenses average 161.1 yards rushing, 272.9 yards passing and 41.2 points per game...Earned 2nd team All GPAC honors.

2009: Two-year starter and key player on the Cougar offensive line that paved the way for three team records: 3,842 yards rushing, 7,313 yards total offense and 775 points scored…named All-GPAC Second Team… Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete.

2008: Starting center on the dominant Cougar offensive line…offense averaged 235 rushing yards and 169 yards passing, scoring 36 points per game.

2007: Redshirted High School: Named All-State and All-Conference…helped lead the Lions to the 2A State Championship.

Personal: Has two sisters, Amanda and Breanna...

Business Administration major.

2010: A member of the team but didn’t record any statistics.

Contra Costa College: Named First Team All-Bay Valley Conference…Razorback teammate of USF wide receiver, Michael Hicks #89…

High School: Played football and track & field at Pinole Valley HS (CA)…

Personal: Has two brothers…Criminal Justice major

Marco Saggese #71 Offensive Lineman Jr. • 6-3 • 300 • 1L Downey, CA (Cerritos College) 2010: Earned the starting right tackle postion during fall camp...suffered a season-ending injury during the opening game at Northwestern and granted a medical redshirt.

Cerritos Collge: Team captain and two-year starter for the Falcons.

High School: Named All-Area and All-Conference…team captain and two-year starter on both sides of the line for the Valley Christian HS Crusaders…also played basketball and track & field.

Personal: Has one brother, Gianluca…history major with a minor in secondary education.

JT Surgant #74 Offensive Lineman Fr. • 6-3 • 284 St. Louis, MO (Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha) Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha: Redshirted his fresmman year..

High School: Four year letter winner and twotime first team all-conference right guard at DeSmet Jesuit High School in St. Louis, Mo. He was also a four year scholar athlete during his high school career.

Personal: Has a sister, Stephanie...an Eagle Scout...Finance major

Profiles Sheku Bannister

Sam Dooyema

#75 Defensive Line Sr. • 6-3 • 320 East Palo Alto, CA (American River College)

#78 Offensive Line So. • 6-3 • 240 • 1L Luverne, MN (Luverne H.S.)

2010: Saw action on special teams and at tackle...recorded 4 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 forced fumble.

American River College: As a sophomore, played 10 games for the Beavers…had 18 tackles and 0.5 for a loss…2010 California 3C4A Student Athlete Award Winner.

Personal: Has six siblings, Jeney, Kim, Faima, Halima, Solomon and Dominic…Criminal Justice major with Media minor

2010: Reserve offensive lineman, saw action in 2 games...helped the offense gain 2,254 rushing yards and 3,821 passing yards for a total of 6075, 24 rushing touchdowns, and 49 passing touchdowns.

2009: Redshirted…Scout Team Offensive MVP… High School: Helped the Cardinals to three Minnesota State AA Football Runner-Up titles…named twotime All-State in football and track…All-Conference… also a two-time state qualifier in wrestling...Student Council President.

Personal: Has eight siblings, Andrew, Katie, Amanda, Kelsey, Eli, Naomi, Jeremiah, and Jed...Biology major

Erick Marquez #77 Offensive Line Jr. • 6-5 • 314 Nogales, AZ (Pima Community College) Nogales H.S.: Started for the Apache’s 6-5 team as a senior and 9-2 squad as a junior...coached by Vince Villanucci...two-time all conference player..played for the USA Football U-17 team against Japan...also participated in track & field and wrestling.

Personal: Exercise Science major

Kevin Casey #79 Offensive Lineman Fr. • 6-3 • 270 La Habra, CA (La Habra H.S.) La Habra H.S.: Casey was a 4 year lettermen and 3 year starter for La Habra. Casey was a member of Habra’s 4 time C.I.F. championship team. He was a two time all-area, all-league and all C.I.F. selection.

Personal: Has two brothers, Nick and Joseph. a communications/theatre major... professional goal to become a lawyer.

Spenser Sailors #80 Tight End Sr. • 6-2 • 250 Luverne, MN (Luverne H.S.) 2010: Earned the starting position at tight end, but missed the entire season due to injury during fall camp. Granted a medical redshirt.

2009: Early season starter, but saw limited action due to injury…played in nine games at tight end and on special teams…had 4 receptions for 23 yards…2008: Saw limited time due to injury…played in nine games… had one reception for six yards 2007: Played in five games as a true freshman… had 5 receptions for 107 yards and 1 touchdown.

High School: Played football, basketball and track for the Chieftains…named Honorable Mention AllState and All-Conference as a defensive end…

Personal: Has two brothers...exercise science major.

Profiles Taylor Klein

Austin Vanhove

#81 Tight End Jr. • 6-1 • 250 • 2L Murrieta, CA (Calvary Chapel H.S.)

#84 Tight End Jr. • 6-4 • 235 • 2L Garretson, SD (Garretson H.S.)

2010: Wore number 78 last year before changing back to tight end and 81...Began the season as the backup at both tight end and the “U” postion...earned starting opportunities as the season progressed...recorded 1 reception for 7 yards, and 2 rushing attempts for 6 yards.

2009: Moved from tight end to offensive lineman…started one game…reserve member of the Cougar offensive line that paved the way for three team records: 3,842 yards rushing, 7,313 yards total offense and 775 points scored.

2008: A member of the team as a tight end.

High School: Voted team MVP…team captain of football and basketball teams...named First Team AllLeague and All-Conference… Academic All-CIF. Personal: Has four brothers and two sisters...

Business Administration and Accounting double major.

2010: Starting tight end played in 12 games recorded 15 receptions for 248 yards (16.5 yard average0 and 5 touchdownsand 1 rush for 5 yards...selected an Honorable Mention All GPAC selection.

2009: Played in 10 games as a reserve tight end and on special teams…had 15 receptions for 280 yards and 3 touchdowns, 1 blocked kick… High School: Named two-time All-State…two-time All-Conference...

Argus Leader Elite 45...also two-time All-State in baseball and three-time All-Conference in basketball.

Personal: Has three brothers, Troy, Kelly, and Shawn...major is undeclared

JD Henry #83 Tight End Fr. • 6-4 • 220 Parker, CO (Chaparral H.S.) High School: Ranked a three star prospect by ESPN and the No. 9 prospect in the state of Colorado… holds a national position rank of 61 by ESPN…rated a two star prospect by scout.com…caught 25 receptions for 330 yards (13.2 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns as a senior…all-conference honoree...grabbed 20 catches for 310 yards (15.5 yards per reception) and two scores as a junior…played a significant role in the Wolverine’s 8-3 season during his junior season and 9-3 season during his senior season…coached by Jon Vogt…two-time all-conference performer in track and field...reports a 40 yard dash time of 4.56.

Personal: Has one brother...snowboarder and golfer...Exercise Science major with Business minor

Brian Sandifer #85 Wide Receiver So. • 6-3 • 188 1L Brooklyn Park, MN (St.Benards H.S.) 2010: Reserve receiver that saw limited action in 2 games...recorded 2 receptions for 22 yards and 1 touchdown.

2009: Redshirted…

High School: Set the Bulldog passing record with 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns... named AllConference…also played basketball, once scored eight consecutive 3-pointers in a single game.

Personal: Has three siblings, Kaharri, Bria, Chase... major is undeclared.

Profiles Braden Benson

Derrick Delaney

#87 Wide Receiver Jr. • 5-11 • 185 • 2L Gillette, WY (Campbell County H.S.)

#90 Defensive Lineman Fr. • 6-6 • 250 Neligh, NE (Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha)

2010: Reserve receiver that registered time in 1 contest. Braden did not record any statistics.

2009: A member of the team but didn’t record any receptions.

2008: Redshirted.

High School: Helped lead the Camels to the 2006 5A State Championship…named Second Team Allstate…First Team All-Conference...First Team Wyoming Super 25.

Personal: Has one sister, Brooke...Exercise Science major with Business Management minor.

Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha: Redshirted..

Neligh-Oakdale H.S.: Played both defensive line and linebacker earning an all-district selection as a junior and senior...all-district performer in wrestling and baseball...also competed in track and field.

Personal: Has a twin brother and one sister...

Sports Management major.

Tait Johannsen #88 Tight End Fr. • 6-3 • 220 1L Wagner, SD (Wagner H.S.) 2010: Redshirted.

High school: Played in the 2009 State Class 11B Semi-Finals as tight end for the Red Raiders…named 2009 All-State and 2007 Honorable Mention All-State…

All-American nominee…holds school record for the discus…also played basketball.

Personal: Has one brother, Tyson…Biology major with Chemistry minor.

Profiles Royce Culp

Jarrett Grabbe

#93 Defensive Lineman Sr. • 6-5 • 240 • 1L Imperial, CA (Arizona Western College)

#97 Defensive Lineman Fr. • 6-2 • 300 Blair, NE (Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha)

2010: Played in 11 games recording 13 solo tackles and 9 assist for a total of 22. Royce also had 4 TFL’s, 1 sack, and 1 PBU. 2009 - Arizona Western College: Had 25 tackles, three for a loss, two sacks and one forced fumble for the Matadors…helped lead them to 2009 Western States Football League Championship along with USF linebacker Zach Holmes #32.

High School: Named All CIF-San Diego Section and All-Desert League Defensive Player of the Year…All Imperial Valley Press...also played baseball.

Personal: Has one brother, Seth and one sister, Samantha…Sociology major.

Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha: Redshirted.

Blair H.S.: Voted team captain...all-district, allconference and all-state performer during the Bear’s run to the state semifinals...all-state honorable mention in baseball...an academic all-conference selection.

Personal: Has two brothers...Elementary Education major.

Cory Hartley #96 Defensive Lineman Jr. • 6-1 • 200 • 2L Rapid City, SD (St.Thomas More H.S.) 2010: Played in 5 games recording 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.

2009: Saw action in the Dana game and had two quarterback hurries.

2008: Redshirted.

High School: All-Conference...also played basketball, baseball and track.

Personal: Has one brother, Mike- former USF defensive lineman...Psychology major.

Jameel Medlock #99 Defensive Line Jr. • 6-2 • 250 Sacramento, CA (Fresno City College) Fresno City College: Led team with 13 sacks and 50 tackles during his sophomore season…named first team all-conference…also had eight sacks as a freshman.

Grant H.S: Senior: totaled 103 tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries…selected all-conference...played in two all-star games… averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game in basketball…coached by Mike Alberghini Hillcrest.

Personal: Father played running back for the Purdue Boilmakers and New York Giants…brother played linebacker at UCLA…has one son, Jameer…Sociology major with Business minor.

Profiles Chris Pettyplace

Clint Wilson

Offensive Lineman Fr. • 6-0 • 210 Citrus Heights, CA (Mesa Verde H.S.)

Linebacker Fr. • 6-1 • 210 Piedmont, SD (Sturgis Brown H.S.)

Mesa Verde H.S.: earned all-league honors as a maverick. also competed in baseball and wrestling.

Personal: Has one sister... Excercise Science major. Professional goals include becoming a professional athlete or athletic trainer.

Eli Krumbach Wide Receiver Fr. • 6-1 • 170 Parker, SD (Sleepy Eye H.S.) Sleepy Eye H.S.: threw for 1,034 yards and seven scores during his career...rushed for 686 yards and four more touchdowns on the ground...caught 36 balls for 628 yards (17.4 yards per catch)...averaged 23.5 yards per kick return, taking three attempts for touchdowns...as a defensive player he made 138 tackles, two tackles for a loss and intercepted six passes during three season...also blocked a kick...compiled 395 yards of total offense and three scores with eight tackles and one interception in one game during his senior season...a four year starter in basketball and three year letterwinner in track and field...National Honor Society Vice President and Student Council Representative... Personal:born March 23, 1993 in Sioux Falls, S.D....plans on majoring in Exercise Science at USF...father and uncle played football at USF...

Sturgis Brown H.S.: rushed for 2,464 yards and 18 touchdowns...averaged five yards per carry...scored 23 touchdowns and three two-point conversions... totaled 438 tackles and 44 tackles for a loss...recovered 11 fumbles and forced five...intercepted three passes... two-time all-state and first team all-conference selection...named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 for both the 2009 and 2010 season...Senior: made 69 tackles, 12 for a loss, with a sack and pass interception despite missing two and half games due to an injury...recovered three fumbles and forced two fumbles...rushed for 783 yards and nine touchdowns...had 248 rushing yards and three scores against Central...Junior: made 148 tackles, 25 for a loss, with a sack and pass interception...recovered five fumbles and forced two...rushed for 1,061 yards and five touchdowns...coached by Rod Richardson...an All-American and state champion in wrestling...member of the honor society Personal: born August 27, 1992 in Rapid City, S.D....will major in Biology at USF...enjoys helping with AAU Youth Wrestling camps and Youth Football Camps.

Cameron Ostrom Linebacker Fr. • 6-1 • 190 Buffalo, WY (Buffalo H.S.) High School: Particpant of all-star game...two time all-conference basketball selection. also competed in soccer. graduated 1st in class...member of national honor society and home coming court his senior year.

Personal: Has one sister, Lyndsey and brother, Austin...involved with meal on wheels program...enjoys playing table tennis. Intends to major in Sports Management

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Profiles Brady Fuhrman

Zach Lukes

Running Back Fr. • 6-0 • 182 Warner, SD (Warner H.S.)

Linebacker Fr. • 5-10 • 180 Garretson, SD (Garretson H.S.)

High School: named all-conference in football and track...recipient of most outstanding male athlete award. also competed in basketball and baseball...member of the band and chorus...earned most outstanding muscian senior year.

Personal: Has two sisters and one brother... coaches brother’s little league baseball team. Excercise Science major... professional goal to work in football.

High School: tabbed all-state and all conference senior year. Also competed in baseball, receiving all-region honors and wrestling...he was a two time state qualifier. a member of the national honor society.

Personal: Has one brother...biology major...professional goal to work in pharmacy.

Michael Sparish

Josh Cihak

Defensive Lineman Fr. • 6-1 • 200 South St. Paul, MN (Henry Sibley H.S.)

Linebacker Fr. • 6-0 • 190 Dante, SD (Avon H.S.)

High School: received all-conference honorable mention...voted captain of wrestling junior year.

Personal: one sister...Excercise Science major... professional goal to become athletic trainer.

Avon H.S.: Led Avon to a 9a state championship...received all-state and two time all-conference recognition...team captain. also competed in basketball and track & field...excelled academically, earning academic all-state honors and the SDHSAA award of excellence.

Personal: Has one brother and one sister...very involved at his church. athletic training major.

Luke Landecker Offensive Lineman Fr. • 6-1 • 307 Pequot Lakes, MN (Pequot Lakes H.S.) Pequot Lakes H.S.: starter at offensive tackle for three seasons and two seasons as defensive tackle for head coach Chip Lohemiller…had a standout senior season, making 48 total tackles, seven tackles for a loss and recovered one fumble…had eight tackles in one game against Crookston…named Land O’Lakes Northern Conference honorable mention as a senior…helped team to a 10-2 record and a berth in the state playoffs as a junior…totaled 111 tackles during his career, including 13 stops behind the line of scrimmage…also had five quarterback pressures, three fumble recoveries and one forced turnover during his career…also played baseball and threw the shot put for the track team…a member of the honor roll...

Personal: born Dec. 20, 1992 in Brainerd, Minn….plans on majoring in Biology at USF.

Stephen Lewis Linebacker Fr. • 5-10 • 195 Sioux Falls, SD (Washington H.S.) Washington H.S.: Member of back-to-back undefeated Warrior squads...played defensive back and linebacker for head coach Brian Hermanson…varsity member for three years, winning the state championship as a junior and senior…totaled 36 tackles, five sacks and a fumble recovery on his way to all-city recognition as a senior…had 17 tackles as a junior…tallied 12 tackles as a sophomore…also a standout in track, finishing seventh in the 2010 4x200 meter relay…also set the school record in the boys medley race with a second place finish…

Personal: born June 24, 1992 in Columbus, Ohio...will major in Theology and Business at USF…

Profiles Solomon St. Pierre

Carter Alhers

Defensive Back Fr. • 5-11 • 175 Wagner, SD (Wagner Community H.S.)

Linebacker Fr. • 6-0 • 190 Flandreau, SD (Flandreau H.S.)

Wagner Community H.S.: Receiver Solomon St. Pierre was a three sport athlete at Wagner Community High School, earning varsity letters in football, basketball and track and field. He was an all-state selection as a junior and senior in football and also earned all-conference recognition in basketball twice.

Personal: Has one brother and one sister...volunteers at Wagner’s boys & girls club...enjoys singing.

Flandreau H.S.: averaged 6.7 yards per carry during his career with 3,380 yards and 32 touchdowns… had 315 total tackles with three sacks and two interceptions…coached by Chad Stadem…Senior: helped Flandreau to a 11B State Championship and 13-1 record by averaging 7.4 yards per carry, totaling 1,442 rush yards with 16 touchdowns…took 11 receptions for 170 yards and another score…made 104 tackles with two interceptions and a sack…high school All-American…First Team All-State and All-Big East Conference selection… selected to the Argus Leader Elite 45 team…S.D. Sports Writers “Joe Robbie” Most Valuable Player…S.D. Coaches Association Award-Outstanding Back…took five carries for 82 yards and two touchdowns and returned a interception for a touchdown against Sioux Falls Christian… named the Brookings Register Player of the Year...Junior: Second Team All-State selection…All Big East Conference pick…rushed for 714 yards and five scores with two more touchdowns receiving….letter winner in track and basketball…

Personal: born June 25, 1992 in Brookings, S.D….will major in Business at USF…

Timothy Brown Quarterback Fr. • 6-5 • 190 Harding, SD (Harding County H.S.) Harding County H.S.: broke the 9A state record for passing touchdowns with 71…passed for 5,354 yards, completing 59.6% of passes attempted…was 36-8 during his four seasons as a starter under coach Jay Wammen…Senior: passed for 1,869 yards and 32 touchdowns, leading Harding County to the state title game with an 11-1 record…added seven rushing touchdowns…first team all-state selection….Argus Leader Elite 45 member…South Dakota All-Star Selection…. named first team all-conference…team captain…Junior: threw for 1,196 yards and 17 scores…all-conference first team and conference championships…Sophomore: totaled 1,378 yards and 13 touchdowns…starting quarterback and all-conference first team…Freshman: in his first year on varsity threw for 911 yards and nine touchdowns…starting quarterback and conference champions…three year starter and defensive player of the year in basketball…averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game…

Personal: born Nov. 6, 1992 in Spearfish, S.D….

Sport Management major…career goal to coach

Zach Lewallen Defensive Lineman Fr. • 6-2 • 230 Sioux Falls, SD (Roosevelt H.S.) Roosevelt H.S.: Lewallen has a standout career for the rough raiders. Lewallen received all-state, all conference and all-city honors. He also competed in power lifting.

Personal: Has two sisters, Stephanie and Kayla, plans to major in excercise science... aspires to become a strength coach.

Profiles Joseph Hlushak

Christian Dick

Running Back Fr. • 5-9 • 175 Loveland, CO (Mountain View H.S.)

Tight End/ Punter Fr. • 6-2 • 193 Greeley, CO (University H.S.)

Mountain View H.S.: Hlushak broke 3 school records at Mountain View on his way to all-conference and all-state hm honors...voted Northern Conference offensive MVP. Also a all-conference baseball player.

Personal: Has 2 brothers and 2 sisters... sports management major, with a professional goal of coaching.

Kevin Casey Offensive Lineman Fr. • 6-3 • 270 La Habra, CA (La Habra H.S.) La Habra H.S.: Casey was a 4 year lettermen and 3 year starter for La Habra. Casey was a member of Habra’s 4 time C.I.F. championship team. He was a two time all-area, all-league and all C.I.F. selection.

Personal: Has two brothers, Nick and Joseph. a communications/theatre major... professional goal to become a lawyer.

University H.S.: Dick played multiple positions for University, earning all-conference as a defensive back and running back. He also received all-conference recognition in both basketball and track & field.

Personal: Has two brothers and 3 sisters... donated time to reading to elementary students. Plans to major in History & Education, with a professional goal to teach and coach.

USF Cheer Team

Cheer

2011 USF Cheer Team Name DeVries, Hannah Ethington, Mariah Grote, Emily Hageman, Taylor Kooistra, Alix Kurtz, Stefanie Long, Ali Nelson, Breanne Nelson, Rhona Odegaard, Karah Olsen, Sam Olson, Regan Saathoff, Katie Trego, Jackie Troeger, Allison Tumbleson, Erica Walker, Alex Zimbleman, Olivia

Year JR JR FR FR FR SR JR SO JR SR FR FR FR SR FR FR FR FR

Hometown Parker, CO Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil, NE Brandon, SD Lake Preston, SD Blair, NE Sioux Falls, SD Spearfish, SD Volga, SD Platte, SD Rapid City, SD Platte, SD Waubay, SD Mason City, IA Watertown, SD Centennial, CO Sioux Falls, SD Sioux Falls, SD Sioux Falls, SD

Winning Tradition

Tradition

2009 NAIA National Champions Rome, Ga.- The University of Sioux Falls capped a perfect season today at the NAIA national championship with a 25-22 win over No. 3 Lindenwood (13-1). The win capped USF’s first 15 win season.

Freshman kicker Braden Wieking (Sioux Falls, S.D.) won offensive player of the game recongition with three successful field goals, including a career-long 42 yard boot. He also added two extra points and one punt for 44 yards.

Junior linebacker Dominic Studzinski earned defensive player of the game recongition after making a team-leading seven tackles and two sacks that result in a loss of a combined 15 yards.

In a battle of two of the nation’s top offense, it was a defensive game in the first half. After several three and outs by both teams, the COugars were able to move the ball into a first and goal situation. However the Lions of Lindenwood to make two sacks to force a field goal.

Wieking made the 41 yard attempt to better his previous career long of 39 yard. The field goal also marked the fist 40+ yard field goal in the NAIA championship game, according to the NAIA records that date back to 1997.

After the ensuing kickoff, Lindenwood took possession of the ball deep in their own territory. A bad snap was recoverd by the Lions, but in their own endzone. The safety is the second of the season for the USF defense.

Another field goal from Wieking, this time from 37 yards out, gave USF an 8-0 lead in the second quarter.

Facing the possibility of being down by two possession, the Lions went on a scoring run. Lindenwood’s quarterback Philip Staback hit receiver Matt Bramow in the middle of the end zone for the Lion’s first points of the game. Staback would find Bramow again in the end zone to give the Lions their first lead of the game at 14-8.

The six point trench marked the first time the Cougars trailed at the break and the lowest point total in a first half for USF this season.

USF opened the second half exactly as need-be if they were to defend their national title. Kick returner Adam Lopez (So.; Gillette, Wyo. found a seem up the LU sideline and took the ball 91 yards for a touchdown. it was Lopez’s second kickoff return for a touchdown this season,also going 88 yards for a score against Northwestern College.

Lindenwood would answer the score as they drove down the field once again. Lion running back Denodus O’Bryant sprinted up the visiting sideline for a 45 yard score, making the score 20-15. A successful two point attempt on a Staback run gave the Lions a touchdown lead at 22-15.

Lopez would once again have an excellent kick return, almost taking it the distance again, but was stopped after a 57 yard gain to set up the Cougar offense on Lindenwood’s 26 yard line. A penalty and several other runs would lead to senior running back Ryan Lowmiller (Crystal Lake, Ill.) finding two yards into the end zone. Lowmiller finished the day with 115 yards and a score.

With the score 22-22, the Cougars were moving the ball deep into Lindenwood’s side of the field, but a interception gave the Lions the ball inside their own 30 yard line. With momentum shifting towards the Lions, the Cougar defense shut the drive down with consecutive sacks, a nine yard loss sack by defensive lineman Mike Hartley (Rapid City, S.D.) and a six yard loss by Studzinski (Fort Atkinson, Wis.).

With the ball back in Cougar control, USF was able to sustain a physical, three minute drive that would end with what would be the game-winning field goal. Wieking spilt the uprights for the third time,t his time from a career-long 42 yards out, giving USF a 25-22 lead with 9:50 left on the clock.

LU looked for an answer of their own, but the Cougar defense held strong and only allowed five plays on the next drive. With the ball back in COugar control, USF tried to run the clock out, but a fumble inside the Lindenwood 25 yard line would allow the Lions one more chance to tie or win the game.With the game on the line, the Cougar defense held firm by not allowing a single first down on LU’s four attempts.

Gaining the ball on downs, USF took a knee to run out the remaining half minute on the clock. The win was USF’s 29th straight victory and earned the program’s fourth national championship.

Tradition

2008 NAIA National Champions

Rome, GA- Behind nearly impeccable execution in all three phases of the game, the No. 2-ranked University of Sioux Falls football team won its second national championship in three years and its third in school history by defeating No. 1 Carroll College, 237, Saturday afternoon in Rome, Ga. The Cougars scored a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams in front of a sold-out crowd of 6,500 at Barron Stadium. The victory marked the first win in four attempts against Carroll, who won five of the previous six national championships, including a 17-9 win over Sioux Falls in the 2007 NAIA Football National Championship game in Savannah, Tenn.

USF opened the scoring with a 24-yard field goal by senior Matt Lindgren (Clark, S.D.) after beginning the drive on its own 43. The Cougars moved the ball primarily through the efforts of junior quarterback Lorenzo Brown (Bristol, Conn.). He had two runs of 15 yards and another of 10 with a 15-yard completion to senior back Erik Cimpl (Dante, S.D.) to get inside the Carroll 10 before the drive stalled and USF had to settle for three points.

Sioux Falls special teams made the first big play of the game. After Carroll’s first drive of the second quarter ended deep in its own territory, USF called for the punt block. Kyle Cummings (Buffalo, Wyo.) came through, and Joe Moen (Cheyenne, Wyo.) recovered and dove into the end zone with 3:16 left in the first quarter for a 10-0 Cougar advantage.

The game remained 10-0 until the fourth quarter when Brown found sophomore wide receiver Jon Ryan (Watertown, S.D.) down the left sideline on a go route. Ryan evaded a defender and sprinted into the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown pass.

USF attempted to tie an NAIA record with eight shutouts, but Travis Browne reeled in a 39-yard touchdown on a post pattern from freshman quarterback Matt Ritter with 6:15 to go in the game, cutting the deficit to 17-7.

Defensively, Sioux Falls squashed any possibility of a comeback. On Carroll’s ensuing drive following the touchdown, Tyler Newman (Aberdeen, S.D.) picked off Ritter’s first-down pass. It was the first-career interception for the senior linebacker.

Ritter fumbled on Carroll’s next drive, and defensive lineman Drew DeGroot (Doon, Iowa) picked it up and raced 30 untouched yards to the end zone to cap the scoring with 2:44 remaining. The touchdown was DeGroot’s second of the season.

Carroll’s final drive fittingly ended on an interception by junior safety Trevor Holleman — his third of the postseason — (New Holland, S.D.) in the final minute.

In the biggest game of the year, the Cougars played their most disciplined. USF came into the contest maligned by penalties, having been flagged 126 times for 1,162 yards. Saturday they had three penalties for 15 yards, including no infractions in the first half. Most importantly, Sioux Falls committed zero turnovers in the game.

The USF defense, which led the nation in every major statistical category in 2008, allowed just 83 points all season, a new school record.

Tradition

2006 NAIA National Champions The University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) held Carroll (Mont.) College to 194 yards of total offense in earning a 23-7 win in the 2008 Russell Athletic-NAIA Football National Championship today (Dec. 20) from Barron Stadium. The title is USF’s third overall and second in the last three years. Sioux Falls (14-0), which set a school season record with 83 points allowed, avenges a 17-9 loss in the 2007 National Championship to Carroll.

The Championship Offensive Most Valuable Player, USF junior quarterback Lorenzo Brown, finished with 129 rushing yards on 19 carries (6.8 ypc) and 69 passing yards for one touchdown.

There was not much offense in the first quarter until the USF defense handed its offense great field position. Ranked No. 1 in the country in all major statistical categories, the USF defensive unit proved why in its first defensive stand. Carroll began its offense at the 17-yard line, but lost 10 yards on three plays and was forced to punt on a three-and-out. That gave USF great field possession after the punt.

The Cougars started at their own 43-yard line with 9:19 on the clock. Ten plays later, senior Matt Lindgren capped the drive with a 24-yard field goal. He handed the Cougars a 3-0 lead at the 3:16 mark of the first quarter.

Brown rushed for 31 yards on four attempts during that drive.

The Carroll offense did not do much better on its second possession. Two rushes and one incomplete pass yielded minus-seven yards and USF was again in great position to force the pressure. Despite not gaining a first down on their ensuing possession, the Cougars of USF were holding an advantage in field position. On Carroll’s third possession, the Saints went without a first down and had to punt for the third straight time.

On the ensuing punt attempt, junior Kyle Cummings reached punter Zach Thiry and blocked the kick.

The ball was then scooped up by sophomore Joe Moen at the 10-yard line. Moen returned it 10 yards and with 13:13 to go in the second quarter, the Cougars had the momentum and led 10-0.

Carroll appeared to hit an offensive stride on its next possession, going 42 yards, but the drive was thwarted on a lost fumble by freshman quarterback Matt Ritter. USF looked to go up 13-0 just before halftime but a 27-yard field goal attempt by Lindgren missed.

A Carroll offense, coming into the game with an average of 220.3 yards on the ground, tallied just 36 yards on 21 rushes in the first half.

Midway through the third, the Carroll offense put together an impressive 14-play drive but stalled at the USF 12-yard line. Down 10-0, the Saints needed to put at least some points on the board. But, a 19-yard field goal attempt by Thiry missed and the energy was deflated from the Carroll sidelines.

Sioux Falls seemingly put the game out of reach, thanks once again to the dynamic offensive skill of Brown. He used his running ability to break down the Carroll defense all day but he proved that he could pass the ball effectively. With 7:04 left in the game, he found a streaking Jon Ryan on the left sideline for a 54-yard touchdown pass.

Carroll avoided the shut-out less than a minute later when Ritter connected with wide receiver Travis Browne for a 39-yard touchdown. After a Connor Janhunen PAT kick, Carroll trailed 17-7.

The defense, which carried the team all season, put a trademark on the USF win. Forcing their fourth turnover of the day, the Cougars added a defensive touchdown late. Carroll’s Ritter was pressured in the pocket and fumbled the ball away, which was jumped on by junior Drew DeGroot. He rambled 30 yards into the endzone and the Cougars secured their third National Championship.

“This (moment) feels a lot better than when we lost last year,” said USF head coach Kalen DeBoer at his post-game press conference speech. “I feel really good with our effort and we continued to work.

People didn’t see anything flashy today. We just let our guys play football because we have some very talented players.”

Article Courtesy of naia.cstv.com

Tradition

1996 NAIA National Champions

SAVANNAH, TN – The University of Sioux Falls football team showed the entire country why they are one of the greatest small college football teams of all-time, by routing the Washington Vikings 47-25 in the NAIA Division Two National Championship Game at Jim Carroll Stadium in Savannah, Tennessee.

Western Washington opened the scoring on a 3-yard run by running back Ryan Wiggins. The PAT was no good, and WWU lead 6-0. The Cougars would answer the Vikings’ touchdown on their very next possession, when David Ruter scored on a 9-yard run to give the Cougars a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter would belong to the Cougars, as Kurtiss Riggs threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Nelson, and consecutive scoring passes of 20 and 64 yards to David Ruter. The Vikings managed a touchdown at the end of the quarter, but the Cougars lead 27-13 at the half.

USF wasted no time in putting Western Washington away in the second half. Riggs got Kalen DeBoer involved in the act on a 5-yard scoring strike with 11:30 remaining in the third quarter. DeBoer would find the end zone again, less than two minutes later, on a 54-yard reverse to give USF a commanding 41-13 lead. Viking quarterback Darren Erath tried to keep Western Washington in the game on a 1-yard touchdown run to open the fourth quarter, but DeBoer would slam the door on any Viking title hopes with an unbelievable one-handed touchdown reception from 19 yards out. Western Washington added a late score on a 39-yard touchdown from Erath to Mario Casello, but it was too late, as the Cougars won their first National Championship ever.

USF quarterback Kurtiss Riggs was named Offensive Player of the Game with 431 yards on 25 of 33 passing and five touchdowns. Riggs closed out his senior season by breaking Ed Koester’s mark for career passing yards at USF. Riggs ended his career with 496 completions on 801 attempts for 7329 yards and 85 touchdowns.

David Ruter finished the game with 55 yards rushing and 98 yards receiving. He also had one touchdown rushing and two receiving. Ruter broke Terry Austin’s school record for rushing touchdowns, by scoring his 19th of the season. Ruter ended his sophomore season with 1726 yards rushing and 25 total touchdowns.

Kalen DeBoer had ten receptions for 131 yards and two scores, not to mention his 54-yard reverse for a touchdown. He finishes his year with 99 catches for 1372 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Jeremy Gardner led the Cougars in receiving yards against Western Washington with 133 on six receptions. Gardner had 953 yards on 50 receptions and 16 touchdowns to close out his senior season.

The numbers do not indicate how well USF defensive played. The Cougars held WWU to 62 rushing yards, and even though the Viking quarterback Darren Erath threw for 350 yards, most of those came in the second half when the game was already out of reach. The Cougar defense registered five sacks, intercepted two passes and had one fumble recovery in the win. Travis Dumke was named Defensive Player of the Game, totaling six tackles, two of which were for losses. Damon Olson led the Cougars in tackles with eight, while Brian Koch led USF in sacks with two.

The 1996 NAIA Division Two National Champion University of Sioux Falls Cougars finished the season with a school record of 14 wins and no losses.

Cougar Records

Records

Indiviual Career Records Passing Yards Rk. Name 1.

Dax Michelena (‘97-98, ‘00-’01) 2.

Kurtiss Riggs (‘93-’96) 3.

Chad Cavender (‘06-’07) 4.

Ed Koester (‘85-’89) 5.

Jon Burckhardt (‘99, ‘01-’03) 6.

Lorenzo Brown (‘08-’09) 7.

Joe Wright (‘02-’05) 8.

Jay Eidsness (‘92-’94) 9.

Eric Eidsness (‘89-’91) 10.

Isaac Miller (‘98-’00) Passing Touchdowns Rank Name 1. Kurtiss Riggs 2.Dax Michelena 3. Lorenzo Brown 4. Chad Cavender 5. Ed Koester 6. Joe Wright 7. Jon Burckhardt 8. Jay Eidsness 9. Isaac Miller 10. Roy Brown

Year TDs (‘93-96) 85 (‘97-’01) 72 (‘08-09 ) 65 (‘06-’07) 64 (‘85-’89) 44 (‘02-’05) 43 (‘99, ‘01-’03) 49 (‘91-’94) 22 (‘98-’00) 18 (‘81-’84) 16

Rushing Rk. Name 1.

David Ruter (‘95’-’98) 2.

Mike Dvoracek (‘03-’06) 3.

Nick Kortan (‘99-’02) 4.

Jim Pehringer (‘87-’90) 5.

Ryan Lowmiller (‘06-’09) 6.

Terry Austin (‘92-’95) 7.

Dax Michelena (‘97-’01) 8.

Erik Cimpl (‘05-’08) 9.

Kevin Moser (‘83-’84) 10.

Nelson Cumana (‘81-’82)

Yards 7,665 7,329 7,089 6,915 5,559 5,253 4,920 3,149 2,650 2,026

Att. 937 801 737 1,079 726 391 606 451 443 246

Comp. Pct. 518 55.3 496 62.0 496 67.3 533 49.4 419 57.3 611 64.0 350 57.8 226 50.1 178 40.1 141 57.3

Receptions Rank Name 1. Dusty Hovorka 2. Kalen DeBoer 3. Trey Erickson 4. Alex Anderson 5. Josiah Fenceroy 6. Jon Ryan 7. Zach Rutten 8. Travis Krant 9. Michael Warren 10. Todd Peterson

Yards 4,783 4,658 4,331 3,454 3,137 3,115 2,755 2,254 2,016 1,895

Attempts 677 866 762 847 557 488 589 446 431 408

Year (‘03-’06) (‘93-’96) (‘04-’07) (‘07-Pres.) (‘04-’07) (‘07-Pres.) (‘97-’01) (‘96-’98) (‘03-’06) (’85-’88)

Avg. 7.1 5.4 5.7 4.1 5.6 6.4 4.7 5.1 4.7 4.6

TD 72 85 64 44 39 65 43 22 15 18

Rec. 291 234 151 137 131 118 106 104 103 97

Records

Indiviual Career Records Cont.

Scoring Rk. Name 1.

David Ruter (‘95-’98) 2.

Mike Dvoracek (‘03-’06) 3.

Nick Kortan (‘99-’02) 4.

Matt Lingren (‘05-’08) 5.

Dusty Hovorka (‘03-’06) 6.

Terry Austin (‘92-’95) 7.

Ryan Lowmiller (‘06-’09) 8.

Jim Pehringer (‘87-’90) 9.

TC Fraser (‘02-’04) 10.

Dax Michelena (‘97-’01) Interceptions Rk. Name 1.John Fuller (‘82-’85) 2.Phil Porter (‘94-’97) Brian Brooks (‘89-’93) Trevor Holleman (‘06-’09) 5.Leo Fenceroy (‘01-’02) DJ Edman (‘75-’78) 7.Bob Garry (‘69-’72) Dennis Cleveland (‘69-’72) Tony Rowe (‘86-’89) 10.Chuck Morrell (‘95-’97)

No. 18 16 16 16 15 15 14 14 14 13

Kicking Rk. Name 1.Matt Lingren (‘05-’08) 2.TC Fraser (‘02-’04) 3.Michael Kuiper (‘94-97) 4.Matt Kuiper (‘98-’01) 5. Braden Wieking (‘09-Pres.)

6.Steve Young (‘80-’83) 7.Aaron Beavers (‘85-’88)

TD 85 64 63 0 58 52 50 49 0 47

FG 0 0 0 236 1 7 0 2 163 2

PAT 4 0 0 41 0 0 0 0 44 0

Yards 192 115 60 282 141 NA 221 170 112 113

Avg. Return 10.7 7.2 3.8 17.6 9.4 NA 15.8 12.1 8.0 8.7

FG 41 44 14 11 13 14 13

PAT 236 163 172 120 100 75 63

Points 359 295 214 153 139 117 102

Points 518 384 378 359 350 326 300 298 295 282

Total Touchdowns Rk. Name 1.David Ruter (‘95-’98) 2.Mike Dvoracek (‘03-’06) 3.Nick Kortan (‘99-’02) 4.Dusty Hovorka (‘03-’06) 5.Terry Austin (‘92-’95) 6.Jim Pehringer (‘87-’90) 7.Dax Michelena (‘97-’01) 8.Kalen DeBoer (‘93-’96) 9.Trey Erickson (‘04-’07) 10.Lorenzo Brown (‘08-’09)

TDs 85 64 63 58 52 49 47 39 36 30

Quarterback Sacks Rk. Name 1.Darin Martyna (‘98-’02) 2.Brian Koch (‘93, ‘’95-’97) 3.Ralph Duke (‘89-’92) 4.Rusty Stewart (‘83-’85) 5.Kyle Dreckman (‘03-’06) 6.Jerry Muston (‘86-’89) 7.Larry Wilson (‘93-’96) 8.Todd Knutson (‘82-’83) 9.Travis Dumke (‘93-’96) 10.Letarius Lee (‘04-’07)

Sacks 34 32 30 27 26 25 23.5 22 21.5 18.5

Records

Records Cont.

Points Rushing Offense Pass Offense Total Offense Rush Defense Pass Defense Total Defense

Season 775 (2009)* 3,842 (2009) 4,144 yards (1996) 7,313 (2009) 206 yards (2008) 552 yards (1960) 1,532 yards (2008)

Field Goals

17 (2004)

Interceptions *NAIA Record

35 (1989)

Season Records Most Wins Fewest Losses Fewest Wins in a Season

Game 80 (vs. Concordia (Neb.) (2009)) 488 (vs. Midland Lutheran; 2004) 457 (vs. Nebraska Wesleyan; 1996) 678 yards (vs. Nebraska Wesleyan; 1996) -41 yards (vs. Dana; 2008) 5 yards (Hastings; 2006) -4 yards (vs. Dana; 2008) -4 yards (vs. Northwestern; 2008) 4 (vs. Dana; 2003) 4 (vs. Dakota Wesleyan; 1972) 8 (vs. University of Mary; 1989)

15 (2009) 0 (1996, 2006, 2008) 0 (19 times; 1902, 1911,

1917,1919,1921, 1922, 1923, 1925,1926, 1930, 1936, 1946,1950,

Most Losses Consecutive Wins Offensive Touchdowns Rushing Touchdowns Passing Touchdowns First Downs by Rushing First Downs by Passing Offensive Plays in a Game Longest Scoring Play Least Points Fewest Touchdowns Allowed

1951,1952,1964,1970, 1971,1977) 9 (1964, 1970, 1977) 29 (2008/2009) 86 (1996) 44 (1998) 57 (1996) 176 (2008) 155 (2003) 96 (vs. Concordia; 2008) 94 yards (1999) 83 (2008) 11 (2008)

Season Records Record Points Total TDs Field Goals Extra Points Rushing Carries Passing Yards Pass Completions TD Passes Receiving Yards Receptions Receiving TDs Total Offense Interceptions Tackles Punts Punt Average PAT Attempts PAT Made PAT % *NAIA Record

Average 51.7 (2009) 332.6 (2004) 296 (1996) 499.6 (1998) 0.6 ypg (2008) 69 ypg (1960) 109.4 ypg (2008)

3.5 int. pg (1989)

Mark 194 32 17 72 1,726 274 3,993 265 *55 1,372 99 19 3,932 10 130 65 44.5 101 100 99.0%

Player David Ruter David Ruter T.C. Fraser Matt Lindgren David Ruter Mike Dvoracek Kurtiss Riggs Kurtiss Riggs Kurtiss Riggs Kalen DeBoer Kalen DeBoer Kalen DeBoer Kurtiss Riggs Phil Porter Jerry Muston Drew Anderson Brian Hansen Braden Wieking Braden Wieking Braden Wieking

Year 1998 1998 2004 2007 1996 2006 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1995 1989 2005 1982 2009 2009 2009