Concordia Picked Fourth In MIAC Preseason Poll
MIAC football preview courtesy of Matt Higgins and the MIAC office
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BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Some view the month of August as a conclusion as it marks the end of summer, and the end of freedom for students of all ages. However, in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), August is the beginning, the build-up, the introduction to a season that fans across the league circle on their calendars.
It's football season.
Across the conference, preseason camps are in full swing, and the 2015 MIAC football season officially kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 3, and fans are starting to rejoice over the return of their favorite squad.
The 2015 season comes with elevated anticipation following a thrilling, dramatic 2014 season and tons of returning talent and optimism around the league. A year ago, Saint John's triumphantly returned to the top of the standings and hoisted the MIAC title in the second year under Head Coach Gary Fasching, with a 10-2 overall record and a 7-1 conference mark.
Right behind the Johnnies were a trio of 6-2 teams, putting nearly half the conference in title contention into the season's final Saturday. St. Thomas (8-3) joined the Johnnies in the NCAA Playoffs, and Concordia (8-2) and Bethel (7-3) were also Top 25 mainstays throughout the season to give the MIAC as formidable a top four as there was in the nation. All four have key pieces back this season and - pending the answers to a few big questions at quarterback - expect to be right back in MIAC title and NCAA Playoff contention again 2015.
Gustavus (6-4, 4-4 MIAC) and Augsburg (4-6, 3-5) both featured wildly entertaining, high-powered offenses in 2014 that return largely intact this season, to give the MIAC six teams with championship aspirations. Hamline (4-6, 2-6 MIAC) improved to a four-win team in 2014 and continues its considerable progress as it enters the third season under Head Coach Chad Rogosheske, and the two Northfield schools - Carleton (2-8, 1-9 MIAC) and St. Olaf (1-9, 1-7 MIAC) - rounded out the standings and both enter 2015 with higher hopes.
The MIAC led NCAA Division III in football attendance for the ninth time in the past 10 seasons, as 162,735 total fans (3,462 per game) packed the stands throughout the league to witness the tradition, rivalries and passion in person. As the 2015 season gets set to kick off, all nine MIAC teams are ready to put on another compelling 11-week drama for its die-hard fans. Summer may be coming to an end, but football season in the MIAC is when the fun really starts.
THE POLLS ARE IN
The dawn of a new season also brings a new wave of preseason polls and predictions, led by the 2015 MIAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll. The MIAC coaches have tabbed the defending champion Johnnies to be at the forefront of the conference yet again, as Saint John's finished first in the poll with 63 total points and seven of the nine first-place votes. To add even more flavor to the historic Johnnie-Tommie rivalry, St. Thomas received the other two first-place votes and 58 points to finish second, putting the conference's two 2014 NCAA Playoff participants atop the 2015 poll.
Bethel - one season removed from the 2013 conference title - joined SJU and UST in the top three with 50 points. Concordia received 41 points to finish fourth in the poll, and Gustavus (36 points) edged Augsburg (31 points) for fifth place. Hamline received 22 points to slot in at No. 7, and the two Northfield, Minn., rivals - Carleton (14 points) and St. Olaf (nine points) - rounded out the final spots in the poll.
The MIAC has also been well-represented in the national preseason polls, starting with three teams in the top 20 of the D3football.com Top 25. Saint John's led the way at No. 9 in the D3football.com rankings, St. Thomas checked in at No. 14 and Bethel received the No. 20 ranking. Saint John's was ranked No. 7 and St. Thomas No. 15 by The Sporting News Division III Preseason Top 25, and Saint John's received the No. 4 ranking in the Lindy's Division III Top 25, with Bethel coming in at No. 16 and St. Thomas ranked No. 22.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
There are tons of talented players returning in the MIAC, but all eyes first turn to the backfield in Collegeville, where Saint John's hopes to repeat rest largely on the capable shoulders of senior running back Sam Sura. After a record-setting 2014 season (1,769 rushing yards) Sura was honored as the MIAC's Jim Christopherson Most Valuable Player, and the workhorse running back looks to close his career with a similarly successful final chapter. Also back is two-time All-MIAC receiver and returner Josh Bungum, whose dynamic playmaking ability gives the team a great compliment to Sura's bruising style, and All-MIAC linebacker Carter Hanson also returns as SJU aims to have one of the conference's elite defenses in 2015.
St. Thomas won three-straight MIAC titles from 2010-2012, and finished second each of the two past seasons, and this year the Tommies hope to ascend back to the top behind an outstanding variety of returning talent. All-Region tight end Charlie Dowdle is one of UST's many offensive weapons back in the mix, with veteran tackle David Simmet anchoring a stout Tommie offensive line. The defense has plenty of depth and speed, led by All-MIAC cornerback Mozus Ikuenobe.
Bethel said goodbye to 2013 MIAC MVP Erik Peterson and now has a question mark under center, but the Royals return their hard-nosed identity behind the likes of All-MIAC running back Marshall Klitzke and All-Conference linebacker Landon Mathis. Offensive lineman Dillon Crum is also back to lead another Bethel line that is ready to roll up yardage and points.
Concordia is also replacing a three-year starting quarterback following the graduation of Griffin Neal, but whoever the new Cobber passer is will benefit from the returning receiver tandem of Jon Baune and Brandon Zylstra. Concordia is also loaded at linebacker to key a strong defense, led by senior Levi Hintermeister. Gustavus had a record-setting aerial attack in 2014, and quarterback Mitch Hendricks and receiver Matt Boyce both return. If senior linebacker Zack Martinez and the Gustie defense can improve in 2015, they could find themselves in the hunt for the MIAC title.
Augsburg also has a dynamic offensive duo back to write their final chapter, as star quarterback Ayrton Scott and receiver Joey Sonnenfeld return to add to their record-setting numbers. Zach Swingen anchors the Auggie offensive line, and the defense hopes to be more aggressive and active in 2015. Hamline improved to a four-win team in 2014, and hopes for more this season thanks to the return of all-time leading rusher Austin Duncan (3,434 career yards, 25 career TDs). Leading receiver Phillip Sherman is back at tight end, and the Piper defense will be led by junior defensive back Zach Schwalbach.
The two Northfield rivals are both hoping for upward mobility in 2015, with both excited about their returning talent. Carleton has quarterback Zach Creighton back, and the dynamic Chris Madden will move from running back to receiver to use his speed on the outside. Mitch Heflin moves to defensive end to lead the Knights' defense in 2015. At St. Olaf, hopes are high for All-MIAC Second Team linebacker Colten Yahn, and both quarterback Nate Penz and running back J.J. Strnad return to give the Oles senior leadership, and some serious balance.
CIRCLE THESE DATES
Once the calendar flips to September, MIAC fans won't have to wait long for the 2015 season to kick off. All nine teams will be in action over the opening weekend of the season, with Bethel heading to UW-Stout on Thursday, Sept. 3, and the other eight teams all in action in nonconference games on Saturday, Sept. 5. Concordia, Carleton, St. Olaf, Saint John's and Hamline will all have their home opener that day, with Bethel, St. Thomas, Gustavus and Augsburg starting on the road and playing at home a week later (Sept. 12), with conference play beginning in Week 3 on Sept. 19.
There are plenty of huge games peppered throughout the MIAC schedule, staring with a huge nonconference tilt in Week 2. No. 20-ranked Bethel will host No. 6-ranked Wartburg in Arden Hills, Minn., on Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. Wartburg beat two MIAC teams (Augsburg and Bethel) in the regular season and two more in the NCAA Playoffs (St. Thomas and Saint John's) a year ago, so the Royals will face a tough, defining game early in the season.
The annual Johnnie-Tommie game will head to Collegeville, Minn., and this year the league's top rivalry showdown will again come with national attention and serious conference championship implications. St. Thomas will head to Saint John's on Sept. 26 for a 1 p.m. kickoff with pride - and much more - on the line.
On Oct. 17, the two Northfield rivals will square off with "The Goat" rivalry trophy on the line, as St. Olaf will host Carleton that day at 1 p.m. Nov. 7 will also be a huge day in the MIAC, as Gustavus heads to Concordia for a 1 p.m. kickoff as both teams will be looking for a big late-season win, and two Twin Cities rivals - Hamline and Augsburg - will battle for "The Hammer" at Hamline's Klas Field that same day at 1 p.m.
2015 MIAC FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
Coaches voted for every team in the conference except their own team. Points were assigned for each vote (eight for first, seven for second, etc.) Teams are ranked in order of highest point total to lowest with vote totals listed and first-place votes shown in parentheses.