Cobbers Optimistic In 100th Year

Article reprinted courtesy of Fargo Forum and reporter Eric Peterson. Picture courtesy of Fargo Forum photographer Dave Samson.

MOORHEAD -- Concordia head coach Terry Horan has been part of the football program's stability for the last seven-plus decades.

Counting this upcoming fall, the Cobbers have had three head coaches over the past 77 seasons. Horan is entering his 17th. He followed Jim Christopherson who guided the program for 32 years. Jake Christiansen, who preceded Christopherson, was the head coach for 28 seasons.

"When you have stability, there is continuity and a lot of good things happen," Horan said.

The history lesson came up Thursday, Aug. 17, at Concordia's annual media because the Cobbers are entering their 100th football season.

"It's a pretty special year," said Horan, who played wide receiver for the Cobbers from 1985-88. "For our kids sake, to be able to come on the field and wear the colors on this 100th season is pretty cool."

The Cobbers are coming off a 7-3 season with their two Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference losses coming against perennial conference powers St. Thomas and St. John's. Concordia is looking to qualify for the Division III playoffs for the first time since 2005.

Horan said the team will wear decals on its helmets this fall for the 100th season. There will also be a stencils for the 100th season added to the turf field at Jake Christiansen Stadium.

"You reflect back on all the teams and all the goods athletes that have played here," Cobbers senior quarterback Michael Herzog said. "The coaches have been talking about that a lot. … The atmosphere this year should be really good."

Concordia has a 525-296-40 record over its first 99 seasons, including 18 MIAC championships. Horan has a 111-53 mark over his first 16 seasons with the Cobbers. The program started play in 1916, but didn't have teams in 1918 and 1919 due to lack of interest.

Concordia has won three NAIA national championships in 1964, 1978 and 1981.

"Playing for the guys who put on the uniform before you is definitely a big deal around here," said Cobbers senior linebacker Cody Fox. "That is especially amplified with the 100 seasons."

The Cobbers plan to have a football reunion for homecoming to recognize former players, coaches and championship teams.

"We want to try to bring as many guys as we can to honor our proud tradition," Horan said.

The Cobbers return eight starters on defense and five starter on offense, including Herzog and senior running backs Chad Johnson and Jason Montonye. Johnson rushed for 813 yards and 13 touchdowns on 126 attempts last season. Johnson averaged 81.3 rushing yards per game.

"I really like our experience with our skilled kids," Horan said. "I don't know if we've had a backfield that's been this explosive all the way across the board."

Cobbers junior linebacker Alex Berg anchors the defense. Berg led the MIAC with 9.4 tackles per game last season and was named to the D3football.com preseason All-American second team heading into this season. Concordia held teams to 16.8 points per game last season.

"We have high hopes because we are bringing so many guys back," said Fox, who had 40 tackles last fall.

"Defensively, I'm really excited about our athleticism," Horan added.

The Cobbers open their season on Sept. 2 at Nebraska Wesleyan. Their home opener is Sept. 10 against national power Wisconsin-Whitewater at Jake Christiansen Stadium. The Warhawks have won six Division III national championships with the first coming in 2007.

"Their tradition speaks for itself," Horan said. "They're like a Division II program."