Aug. 30–

Tyrone Ruffin has 23 career TD receptions

The Golden Bears look to storm into the 2008 season, poised to compete in a conference that features four new and capable football programs. Despite being picked ninth, CU is ready to prove that the only standings that matter are in November.

"I don't give much credence to polls," head coach Mark Mauer commented. He continued, "What matters is what happens when we play some games and start to see how things pan out as the season progresses."

The four new teams entering the league have been familiar foes for the most part on the CU non-conference schedules in the Mauer-era. Minnesota State University, Mankato, Augustana, St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth are the four new squads that will be vying for NSIC glory.

"We have been playing the Mankato's, Augie's and Duluth's regularly in the non-conference, so the only difference is that now they are in our league," said Mauer.

"In terms of going out and winning games, nothing changes. Everyone is thinking that the league should be viewed differently but we've been playing them regularly."

The big change will be in the league format. With so many teams, the NSIC will implement a two division system, being broken down into North and South. There will be division champions, but the overall champion will be determined by overall league record, and that team will receive the automatic berth in the NCAA Playoffs.

The Golden Bears will be in the South Division and will face the other six teams annually. They will compete against the North Division on a rotating schedule, with one rivalry game. Concordia's rival will be Bemidji State, meaning CU and BSU will square off every year.

Concordia was picked fifth out of seven in the South Division. "This is a good conference, there is a lot of depth and competitiveness from top to bottom in our league."

After a disappointing 2007 season, the Golden Bears should see a much more positive start to their season this fall, playing their first three games at Griffin Stadium and four of their first five at home. Last year, Concordia was on the road for the first three weeks and five of the first six overall.

"This is a much better schedule for us all around. Obviously we will be challenged by tough teams, but when travel is considered, our road games are relatively easy trips. We have six home games this year compared to four last year. We start out at home for three weeks," Mauer commented. "The fact that we aren't on the road five weeks (out of six) at the beginning of the year should work into our favor this year."

He continued, "We are optimistic about this season. We feel that with several returning starters on both sides of the ball that we will be a better football team based on the experience level of the kids coming back."

Offensively, Concordia has experienced playmakers returning that will help mend some positions that lack in-game experience.

The quarterback position remains a large question as the team prepares to break camp. After nearly a decade of all-conference caliber quarterback play, Mauer will have a difficult decision to make as to who runs the offense.

"We have a tremendous amount of competition at the quarterback position," Mauer said of his QB's. "With four guys vying for the starting role, it's been a very competitive situation in camp. With our final scrimmage looming, decisions will have to be made."

The four players competing for the job late in camp are sophomore Hayden Vavra (Cambridge, Minn.), redshirt freshman Spencer Ohm (Blooming Prairie, Minn.), junior transfer Mitch Brecke (North Dakota State / Maple Grove, Minn.) and true freshman Ben Lemke (Rosemount, Minn.).

"Hayden returns with the most in-game experience out of the four, getting some snaps last year when Kole (Goodchild) was out with an injury. Spencer is a redshirt freshman who is developing and is extremely talented. His growth is evident every practice."

"Mitch Brecke brings a high level of talent to the position. He has gained such great command of our offense in such a short period of time. While Ben Lemke is a true freshman, his rapid progression is impressive. He's much further along at this point in his career that we could've anticipated."

Whoever wins the battle will have high expectations to produce. "A starter will emerge with the complete understanding that if productivity isn't accomplished, we will go to the next guy," said Mauer. "Particularly early in the season, with so little experience in this group, we need to be settled into a quarterback by the second or third game of the year."

Whoever emerges as the leader of the offense will have plenty of weapons to pick from down field, as the wide receivers are the most experienced and possibly the most talented group on offense.

Calvin Simon had a career day with 198 yards and 4 TD's last year against MSUM

CU returns their dynamic duo from last year, senior Tyrone Ruffin (Plymouth, Minn.) and sophomore Calvin Simon (Shakopee, Minn.) Ruffin is within reach of virtually every career receiving record at Concordia while Simon burst onto the scene last year with nearly identical receiving numbers to Ruffin in his first year competing in the league as a redshirt freshman.

There is depth behind Ruffin and Simon, too. With sophomore Zach Hovey (Champlin, Minn.), senior T.J. Prunty (St. Paul, Minn.) and redshirt freshman Rob Evans (Franklin, Wis.) each providing different dynamics to the offense.

"Zach Hovey doesn't have a lot of game experience, but is a possession-type receiver who runs great routes and features excellent quickness."

Prunty, a free safety in 2007, has been moved to the offensive side. At 6-3, 225 lbs, he is one of the best athletes on the team. "T.J. is as gifted of an athlete as we have on the team. He's very versatile, can get deep as well as be a possession receiver with his size and strength."

Brought in to play quarterback, Evans' blazing speed and the deep competition at the QB position has afforded Mauer the ability to move Evans to a playmaking position. "Robbie is flat out one of the fastest kids on the team. He has shown the ability to catch the ball but needs time to develop into a receiver. He will factor into the rotation."

Providing larger targets to the new quarterback will be the tight ends. Senior Josh Harrison (St. Martin, Minn.) anchors the core with the most experience returning while junior transfer Cale Johnston (North Iowa Area CC / West Liberty, Iowa) will look to make an impact.

On the interior, the offensive line is still attempting to establish their identity. "They are all learning through camp how to play with one another. It's a position where each guy needs to know exactly where the guy on either side of him is going to be at all times. As a unit, we are making big strides."

For the second consecutive year, the group will be some experienced and talented returners with young players void of any collegiate playing time.

Senior Blake Ogletree (Apple Valley, Minn.) anchors the line at the left guard position. He's joined by sophomore Israel Lopez (Milwaukee, Wis.) who started all 11 games as a redshirt freshman last year and has put on size and strength in the offseason. Senior Zach Condon (Maple Grove, Minn.) is a versatile lineman who can succeed at various positions.

Joining them will be young players like redshirt freshmen Aaron Krason (Waukesha, Wis.), Tyler Hendrickson (St. Paul, Minn.) and Dean Bauers (Duluth, Minn.) Jeremy Needom (Markham, Ill.), a junior college transfer from the College of Du Page has shown to be a capable offensive lineman in camp and is ready to compete.

The offensive line will not only be responsible for protecting the new quarterback, but also to open holes for the running game, which could be just as open of a position as the quarterback spot.

Redshirt freshman Jerry Shaw (Milwaukee, Wis.) figures to be in the mix to receive plenty of carries in an all new crew in the backfield. Cary McLaughlin (Minnetonka, Minn.) has perhaps the most experience of the running backs and is coming off knee surgery healthy, stronger and more physical than he was a year ago. Junior transfer Derwayne Moore (NDSCS / St. Paul, Minn.) is a bruising 250 pound back that is versatile enough to be a feature back or a blocking fullback.

Also competing hard for the position will be freshmen Sam Campbell (Cary, Ill.) and Ed Cotton (Champlin, Minn.).

With so many spots to be determined on the offense, the defense should be the strongest phase of the team. "We have a chance to be a very good defensive football team this year," added Mauer. "We are more athletic than we have ever been and we have some depth that, should injuries occur, we have the guys who are able to step in and contribute at a high level."

The defensive line features returners on the interior such as sophomores Orien Facion (Minneapolis, Minn.) and John Borchert (Champlin, Minn.) while junior Donny Severs (Burlington, Iowa) will hit the field after sitting out his transfer year last year with CU.

On the ends, junior Kyle Tidemand (St. Francis, Minn.) is coming off of knee surgery, but played through the injury for most of the year last year and still earned All-NSIC honorable mention honors and should continue to be an explosive player. Meanwhile, senior Tim Oachs (Mankato, Minn.) is a senior "who is probably the best defensive end that CU has seen since the likes of Joe Peters," Mauer explained. Also factoring in as a pass rushing end is Will Brown (Shoreview, Minn.).

Duy Huynh had a team-high 103 tackles in '07

Behind the defensive line, the linebackers are anchored on the inside by second team All-NSIC senior Duy Huynh (Apple Valley, Minn.), who posted 103 tackles last year. "Duy anchors our defense. He's a very smart player, he makes all of our calls and checks. He has a great nose to the football as well." Joining him on the inside are seniors Mike Kudick (Denmark, Wis.) and Shane Roach (Minnetonka, Minn.). Freshman Jarid Jackson (Champlin, Minn.) "is big, strong and physically capable of contributing as a true freshman."

On the outside, three young and athletic players will be relied upon for their athleticism and playmaking ability. Sophomores Tyler Johnson (St. Paul, Minn.) and Rojeer Wright (Minneapolis, Minn.) will see plenty of action. "Tyler is a player that continues to improve every game and every year while we are excited to have a player of Rojeer's caliber back on the field." Wright was not on the roster last year after earning All-NSIC Honorable Mention honors as a redshirt freshman in 2006. Another redshirt freshman, Al Quaye (Champlin, Minn.) will also factor into the OLB rotation.

Dario Moore had four INT's after moving to defensive back

In the secondary, the free safeties will be led by senior Dario Moore (St. Paul, Minn.), and junior Travis Meyer (Champlin, Minn.) while freshman Micah Koehn (Lino Lakes, Minn.) will compete for field action. Da.Moore began last year as a wide receiver, but moved to cornerback after injuries depleted the secondary. His ability as a ball-hawk nabbed him four interceptions and the move to free safety this year should see more playmaking ability. Meyer split time at free safety last year with former All-NSIC free safety Chuck Miesbauer, a four year starter at the position, allowing Meyer to learn from one of the smartest players in the program. Koehn should see action because of his size, strength and athleticism.

The strong safety has less faces, with junior Joey Lehman (Coon Rapids, Minn.) holding down the position. "With Joey's solid year last year and because of his experience, we have no reason to doubt that he will continue to improve."

Cornerback could be the deepest position on the squad, with seniors Mark Sullivan (La Crosse, Wis.) and Dalton Outlaw (St. Paul, Minn.) healthy after injuries marred their success in 2007. "Sullivan is in great shape again this year, has great instincts and can run. Dalton returns from a broken leg. He had a great spring, worked hard in the summer and is one of the better lock-down corners."

Behind them are a pair of transfers who sat out in 2007, junior Joe Butler (Kansas City, Mo.) and Jeremie Watson (Eden Prairie, Minn.) Butler is arguably one of the better athletes on the team, has great cover skills and is very physical while Watson "is one of the hardest working young men I've ever been around. He has great talent, can run, is physical, and can hit."

The special teams are virtually intact with junior Stephan Bjerke (Stillwater, Minn.) handling the place kicking duties and sophomore T.G. Schoenberg (Woodbury, Minn.) will again serve as the punter. The holding and long snapping jobs have been contested in camp, while the return game should feature explosiveness with the depth of athletes on the roster.